Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Victory Medal 1914-19 (2) (89322 A.-Bmbr. C. Besnard, R.A.; 124118 Gnr. P. J. Therin, R.A.), the first with edge bruise, nearly very fine, the last with several edge bruises and surface corrosion, fine (2) £70-90

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Small Collection of Awards to Channel Islanders.

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Cyril Besnard was a docker who was resident at 32 Upper Mansell Street, St. Peter’s Port, Guernsey, at the time he enlisted in the Guernsey Artillery Contingent in March 1915, aged 21 years, stating that he also had prior service in the Royal Guernsey Artillery and Engineers. In common with fellow members of the 1st Contingent, he was embarked for France in May 1915, on attachment to the 9th Divisional Ammunition Column, R.F.A., in which capacity he remained actively employed until the War’s end and he was discharged as a Bombardier in April 1919; sold with copied service record and other research, including the recipient in a group photograph of the No. 3 Company of the 1st Overseas Contingent which appeared in the Guernsey Weekly Press in April 1915.

Peter James Therin, who was born in Jersey in 1898, died on active service on 5 November 1917, while serving in Iraq with 387th Siege Battery, R.G.A., and is buried in the Basra War Cemetery. He was 19 years of age and the son of Mr. P. Therin of Sunny Cottage, Augres Trinity, Jersey; sold with copied research.