Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. group of six awarded to Lieutenant W. C. Newberry, Devonshire Regiment, a noted West Country Rugby player who was wounded at the relief of Ladysmith

Military Medal, G.V.R. (5150 C.Q.M. Sjt: W. C. Newberry. 8/Devon: R.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (5150 Pte. W. C. Newberry, Devon: Regt.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5150 Corpl. W. C. Newberry. Devon: Regt.); British War and Victory Medals (2.Lieut. W. C. Newberry.) the Victory Medal erased; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (5150 C. Sjt: W. C. Newberry. Devon: R.) the Boer War pair with edge bruising and contact marks, good fine, otherwise very fine or better (6) £300-£360

Provenance: Glendining’s June 1994.

M.M. London Gazette 28 January 1918.

William Charles Newberry was born at Exeter, Devon, on 2 June 1879, and enlisted into the 2nd Devonshire Regiment on 2 September 1898. He served in South Africa from 20 October 1899 to 21 May 1903, and was wounded at Ladysmith by a gunshot to the abdomen on 23 February 1900. Advancing steadily through the ranks he was promoted to Colour-Sergeant on 5 September 1917 and appointed Company Quartermaster Sergeant the same day. He served at Home until 17 March 1917, when he arrived in France for service with the 8th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in April 1917 and entrained for service in the Italian Front on 18 November 1917. Granted a commission as 2nd Lieutenant on 19 May 1918, he was promoted to Lieutenant on 19 November 1919, and retired on 12 July 1921. Sold with comprehensive research including copied service papers, correspondence file and cuttings from local newspapers.