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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 448

Five: Private J. Howlett, South Wales Borderers, who was wounded during the First Battle of Ypres

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (6298 Pte J. Howlett, S. Wales Bord:); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (6298 Pte. J. Howlett. S. Wales. Bord:); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (6298 Pte J. Howlett. S. Wales Bord.); British War and Victory Medals (6298 Pte. J. Howlett. S. Wales. Bord.), contact marks and edge bruising to first two, overall very fine (5)

John Howlett was born at Chelsea, Middlesex in 1879 and enlisted at London on 22 August 1899. Posted to South Africa on 22 June 1900 he saw service in the Anglo-Boer War and remained in the country until 30 January 1904. Leaving South Africa, the Battalion was ordered to India where it was stationed for nearly four years, returning to Britain on 26 October 1907.

Howlett was transferred to the Army Reserve that same month, and remained there until 5 August 1914 when he was mobilised at Brecon. Posted first to the 3rd Battalion initially he was soon ordered to join the 1st Battalion in France on 11 September 1914, arriving there on 13 September. This unit saw action for the first time that very same day at the Battle of the Aisne with their first losses occurring at Chivy on 26 September 1914.

Following this the war devolved into the Race to the Sea, culminating the Battles of the Yser and Ypres. It was in that latter engagement that the South Wales Borderers next saw action as they were stationed at Langemarck on 21 October. Howlett was with them during this time and just four days later he was severely wounded in the shoulder by a gunshot wound.

Invalided to Britain on 1 December 1914 his recovery was a slow one. Finally well enough to be posted on 2 August 1915 he returned to the 3rd Battalion before transferring to the 5th (Garrison) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Chester on 23 August 1916. However it was clear that he would not be able to remain effective and Howlett was discharged as no longer physically fit on 23 October 1916; sold together with copied service papers.

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Sold for
£380

Starting price
£200