Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Captain W. H. J. St. L. Atkinson, 1st Royal Dragoons, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 13 May 1915

1914 Star (Capt. W. H. J. St. L. Atkinson. 1/Dns.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. W. H. J. St. L. Atkinson.), in damaged named card boxes of issue, extremely fine (3) £300-£400

William Henry Jepson St. Leger, 1st Royal Dragoons, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 8 October 1914. He was killed in action at Ypres on 13 May 1915, during the battle of Frezenberg Ridge, aged 33 years and buried in the Hop Store Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. For his services he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 22 June 1915). He was the son of J. J. and I. Atkinson, of Cosgrove Priory, Stony Stratford.

The following notice appeared in the Wolverton Express, 21 May 1915:

‘On Saturday, a telegram was received stating that 32 year old Captain William Henry Jepson St. Leger Atkinson, 1st Royal Dragoon Guards, had been killed on Wednesday. He was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Jepson Atkinson, of Cosgrove Priory, and having been in the Army for 12 years, eight had been spent in India, where he was A.D.C. to the Governor of Madras. He was also A.D.C. to the General in the riots of Johannesburg. Being Commander to the signalling troops, he had been at the Front for six months, and had fought in both battles of Ypres.’

With original slip to accompany the medals. With medal and M.I.D. m.i.c., the former confirms the award of a clasp to the 1914 Star.