Six: Company Sergeant-Major W. C. Owen, 11th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, late Staffordshire Regiment

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Wittebergen (3331 Pte. W. Owen, S. Stafford: Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3331 Corpl: W. Owen. S. Stafford: Regt.); 1914-15 Star (9311, Q.M. Sjt. W. Owen. Worc, R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (9311 W.O. Cl. 2. W. Owen. Worc. R.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (9311 C.S. Mjr. W. Owen. 11/Worc: R.) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine (6) £280-320

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the Worcestershire Regiment formed by Group Captain J. E. Barker.

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M.I.D. London Gazette 28 November 1917 (Salonika).

M.S.M. London Gazette 17 December 1917: ‘For valuable services in the field.’

Walter Charles Owen was born at Sedgley, Staffordshire, on 23 November 1873, and attested for the South Staffordshire Regiment at Birmingham on 8 March 1892. He served in South Africa from March 1900 to July 1902, and was transferred to the Army Reserve in April 1903. In March 1904 he re-engaged for a further 4 years service in the Army Reserve. He attested for the Worcestershire Regiment at Worcester on 14 September 1914, was posted to the 11th Battalion and by the end of November had been promoted to Sergeant. After a period of training the battalion was sent to France on 22 September 1915, but by the end of November they had been transported to Salonikia. Promoted to Company Sergeant-Major in April 1916, he was mentioned in despatches for services in Salonika and awarded the M.S.M. He completed his war service with the Labour Corps, being transferred on 1 January 1918, and returned to the U.K. the following June. He was finally discharged on 28 February 1919, being no longer fit for war service. Sold with comprehensive research.