Five: Lance-Corporal W. A. Wilson, East Surrey Regiment

1914 Star (L-9865 L. Cpl. W. A. Wilson. E. Surr: R.); British War and Victory Medals (9865 Pte. W. A. Wilson. E. Surr. R.); Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue (William Albert Wilson) in Royal Mint case of issue; France, Third Republic, Medal of Honour, with crosses swords, bronze, unnamed, with case of issue; together with the recipient’s Silver War Badge, the reverse officially numbered ‘482797’, good very fine (5) £300-£400

William Albert Wilson, a native of Balham, south London, attested for the East Surrey Regiment and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 October 1914. Subsequently transferring to the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment, and then the 22nd Battalion, London Regiment, he was promoted Sergeant and was awarded the French Medal of Honour whilst serving on attachment with the 7th (Indian) Divisional Signal Company (London Gazette 16 January 1920). In civilian life he served as a Cableroom Telegraphist with the External Telecommunications Executive, General Post Office, and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal upon his retirement in 1954 (London Gazette 24 September 1954).

Sold with the original Bestowal Document for the French Medal of Honour; a small silver and enamel Regimental prize fob, the obverse engraved ‘2nd. XI. R.A.T.A. Football Competition’, the reverse engraved ‘2/East Surrey Regt. Runners-up 1914 9865 L/Cpl J. [sic] Wilson.’; an East Surrey Regiment cap badge; and copied research.