Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Western Front’ M.M. and 1918 ‘Advance to Victory’ Second Award Bar group of four awarded to Sergeant T. Wilson, Royal Field Artillery, who was also awarded a Divisional Certificate for distinguished services on 25 April 1918 during the retreat from Kemmel Ridge.

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (103989 Cpl. -A. Sjt:- T. Wilson. D.162/Bde: R.F.A.); 1914-15 Star (103989, Dvr. T. Wilson. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (103989 Sjt. T. Wilson, R.A.); together with the recipient’s British Empire Service League Canadian Legion Medal, gilt and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘Tho’s Wilson S. Porcupine Br no.287 1937-40’, with integral Branch Past President riband bar, good very fine (5) £700-£900

M.M. London Gazette 23 February 1918

M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 20 August 1919.

Thomas Wilson attested for the Royal Field Artillery at Eyemouth, Northumberland, and served with ‘D’ Howitzer Battery, 162nd Brigade, 33rd Divisional Artillery during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 December 1915, being present at operations on the Somme in 1916, around Arras and Ypres in 1917, and around Lys and in the advance to Victory in 1918. He was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry at Arras and Ypres, and a Second Award bar for his services in the latter part of 1917. He was also awarded a Divisional Certificate for distinguished services on 25 April 1918 during the retreat from Kemmel Ridge.

Subsequently emigrating to Canada, Wilson served as President of the South Porcupine, Ontario, Branch of Canadian Legion from 1937-40. His son, Pilot Officer Thomas Peter Wilson, served with the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (London Gazette 12 December 1944).

Sold with the recipient’s silver identity tag, inscribed ‘Sgt. T. Wilson D Battery 162 Brigade 33rd. Division B.E.F.’; a 33rd Division Brigade Commander’s Card for distinguished conduct; various photographs, including some of the recipient’s son, Pilot Officer Thomas Peter Wilson, D.F.C.; and copied Medal Index Card and other research.