The Bernard Harris Collection of Medals to the 3rd Regiment, South African Infantry

Pair: Private W. N. Sobey, M.M., 3rd Regiment, South African Infantry, who was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry near the Ypres-Zonnebeke railway on 20 September 1917, assisting in the subduing or killing of fifty of the enemy

British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte. W. N. Sobey. 3rd S.A.I.) traces of adhesive to reverse of both, very fine (2) £60-£80

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bernard Harris Collection of Medals to the 3rd Regiment, South African Infantry.

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M.M. London Gazette 14 January 1918.
The original recommendation states: ‘During the operations to [the] north of Ypres-Zonnebeke railway on 20 September 1917, during the attack on Mitchell’s Farm, this man showed great courage and determination, and with a few others assisted in subduing or killing fifty of the enemy. His initiative was an inspiration to his comrades.’

William Norman Sobey was born in St. Agnes, Cornwall, around 1884, the son of James Sobey of Queenstown, Cape Colony. He attested for the 3rd South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 7 December 1915 and disembarked at Rouen on 20 August 1916. Posted to the Western Front with “A” Company, he was later transferred to “B” Company and served as company barber from 21 November 1916. Evacuated to the 4th New Zealand Field Ambulance on 26 October 1917 suffering from a gunshot wound to the left arm, he was later awarded the Military Medal for operations during the Battle of Passchendaele. Reported A.W.O.L. from 11 September 1918 to 19 September 1918, Sobey finally sailed for South Africa for discharge on 1 April 1919.

Sold with copied service record and other research.