Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Seven: Colour-Sergeant E. E. Waller, Hampshire Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (280477 Sjt. E. E. Waller. Hamps. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (1750 Cpl. E. E. Waller. Hamps. R.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1935 (5486566 C. Sjt. E. E. Waller. Hamps. R.); Defence Medal; Jubilee 1935; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, Regular Army (5486566 C. Sjt. E. E. Waller. Hamps. R.) mounted court-style, the first three polished on the obverse and with a few edge bruises, otherwise very fine and better (7) £180-£220

Ernest Edward Waller retired in the rank of Colour-Sergeant (C.Q.M.S.) in the early part of 1937, as reported in the August edition of The Hampshire Regimental Journal of that year together with a small portrait photograph in uniform:

‘C.Q.M.S. Waller. The old and bold retires after 22 years service in the Regiment. He was a L./Cpl. in the 6th Battalion (Territorial) on the outbreak of war in 1914, and on mobilization volunteered for service abroad and was sent to India with the 6th Battalion in October 1914. He was promoted Corporal on the boat and full Sergeant in 1916. Served with the 6th Battalion in Mesopotamia until the end of the war and, before being sent home, he re-engaged for a period of four years, and served with the 1st Battalion in Catterick and the 2nd Battalion in Ireland. He came under the “axe” in 1922, but re-enlisted again in December of the same year, and it is a tribute to his ability that before one month had passed he was appointed Lance-Sergeant, since when he has served with the 2nd Battalion, the Depot, joining the 1st Battalion in Jubbulpore in 1926. He was promoted Colour-Sergeant in 1931, and remained with the Battalion until his discharge early in this year. He took part in the Ghalani operations.
It was at Bordon that he found out that he could run faster than a good many other people, by being first home in the Battalion team which had taken part in the Aldershot Command Cross Country Run. In the track events he was a good performer, especially in the half-mile; during the three years at the Depot he had a successful athletic career, the noteworthy success being the Dept team’s win against the Navy team at Gosport.’

“Wally”, as he was popularly known, died in 1961, a report of his Memorial Service being published in The Royal Hampshire Regiment Journal of November 1961. Sold with copied journal extracts together with relevant confirmation of all medals except the Defence Medal.