Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria including the collection to Naval Artificers formed by JH Deacon

Pair: Captain A. B. Wallis, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, killed in action during the German Spring Offensive, 21 March 1918

1914-15 Star (2. Lieut., Notts. & Derby. R.); British War Medal (Capt.); together with original commission document (2nd Lieutenant, 2 November 1914); a good annotated cloth backed map of the Arras area; contemporary copy of a congratulatory order from Brig.-Gen. F. J. Duncan, commanding 60th (L.) Inf. Brigade, dated 14/12/17; and original volume of the Arras memorial register, which includes the name of Captain Wallis, extremely fine (2) £100-150

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars.

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Alfred Bibbington Wallis was born in 1882, and educated at Giggleswick and St John’s College, Oxford. He was killed in action on 21 March 1918, during the German Spring Offensive, whilst serving with the 2/6th Battalion, Sherwood Forresters. His name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.

The following is extracted from the Congratulatory Order, included with the lot: ‘I have the honour to bring to the notice of the Divisional Commander the splendid services rendered by the 6th Battalion, Sherwood Forresters during the recent fighting at Cambrai.

While separated from my own Brigade I found myself in command of the 59th Brigade. This Brigade was hard pressed and the 6th Sherwood Forresters were lent from the 6th Division. Under most trying and difficult circumstances the Battalion came over and joined the fighting line with the 59th Brigade and fought hard for two days, suffering heavy casualties.

All who saw the 6th Sherwood Forresters have spoken to me in the highest terms of their splendid soldierly qualities. I consider that it is very largely due to their dogged determination and fine spirit that the enemy was held back so long...’