Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Private W. B. Huntley, 2nd South African Infantry, for his gallantry at Ypres on 20 September 1917, in which he was originally recommended for the D.C.M. - for this same action his pre-War friend, Walter Hewitt, also 2nd S.A.I., was awarded the Victoria Cross

Military Medal, G.V.R. (12798 Pte. W. B. Huntley. 2/S.A. Inf:); together with an unnamed British War Medal 1914-20; and an unnamed Bilingual Victory Medal 1914-19, nearly extremely fine (3) £600-£800

M.M. London Gazette 14 January 1918.

The recommendation, originally for a Distinguished Conduct Medal, states: ‘For conspicuous bravery during operations east of Ypres on 20 September 1917. Under heavy fire he assisted in clearing enemy strong points near Zeventote, showing a total disregard for danger and supporting his officer in a most gallant manner. He later retrieved 2 Lewis guns and ammunition, despite constant shelling.’

Walter Bailey Huntley was born in Pietermaritzburg, Natal, in 1898, and served during the Great War in East Africa from 20 March 1916, before attesting for the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force on 7 March 1917. He served with the 2nd South African Infantry on the Western Front from 25 June 1917. For his gallantry near Zeventote, east of Ypres on 20 September 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal. The History of the South African Forces in France by John Buchan gives the following detail:
‘The 2nd Regiment, however, on the left, had a heavier duty. Mitchell’s Farm had been previously taken by the 4th, but the enemy was still holding Warerend Farm, and from beyond the stream was galling their flanks with machine gun and rifle fire from the high ground at the place called Tulip Cottages and Hill 37. Before them, too, lay the strong Bremen Redoubt and the fortified village of Zeventote. Nevertheless, the Bremen Redoubt and Zeventote were carried, and with them the second German position... The day was full of gallant individual exploits. One N.C.O. and two men of the 2nd Regiment took seventy prisoners. Another man of the 2nd Regiment engaged a German in a bayonet duel and killed him; then a second, whom he also killed; and then a third, when each killed the other. In dealing with the pill boxes, individual courage and initiative were put to the highest test. it was for such an episode that Lance-Corporal Walter Hewitt, 2nd Regiment, was awarded the Victoria Cross. he attacked a pill box in his section, and tried to rush the doorway, but found a stubborn garrison within, and received a severe wound. Nevertheless, he managed to reach the loophole, where, in his attempt to insert a bomb, he was again wounded. Ultimately he got a bomb inside, dislodged the occupants, and took the place.’

Huntley was presented with the riband for his M.M. at a medal parade at Delville Wood on 17 February 1918. He was later wounded in the right leg on the Somme on 22 March 1918, and subsequently recuperated at West Byfleet Military Hospital, Surrey. He had been friends with Walter Hewitt from before the Great War, and they remained friends for the rest of their lives. Huntley died in Pietermaritzburg in 1963.

Sold with a large quantity of research, and two postcard photographs of the recipient, one of which shows him with Walter Hewitt, V.C.

Note: For some reason Huntley’s campaign medals were never issued and never claimed.