Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private F. Sykes, 2nd South African Infantry, late Durban Light Infantry, who was wounded in North Africa at Mersa Matruh on 23 January 1916, for a second time on the Western Front at Delville Wood on 20 July 1916, and then for a third time on 31 January 1917, dying of his wounds on 2 February 1917

1914-15 Star (Pte. F. Sykes 1st. Infantry); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte. F. Sykes. 2nd. S.A.I.); together with a Durban Recruting Committee ‘Pro Patria’ Medal, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘Pte. F. Sykes 2nd. S.A.I.’, good very fine (3) £80-£120

Fred Sykes was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, and attested for the Durban Light Infantry (1st Infantry) on 28 September 1914. He served with them in German South West Africa before attesting for the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force at Potchefstroom on 27 August 1915. He served with the 2nd South African Infantry in Egypt, where he was wounded at Mersa Matruh on 23 January 1916, and then on the Western Front, where he was wounded during the Battle of Delville Wood on 20 July 1916. He was severely wounded a third time, by gun shot to the back on 31 January 1917, and died of his wounds two days later on 2 February 1917. He is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Sold with the recipient’s identity tag, and copied service papers.