Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Warrant Officer Class II W. F. Maguire, 13th/18th Royal Hussars, late 13th Hussars, who was Mentioned in Despatches in Mesopatamia

1914-15 Star (7066 Tptr. W. F. Maguire, 13th. Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (7066. Pte. W. F. Maguire. 13-Hrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue with fixed suspension (535353 W.O. Cl.II. W .F. Maguire. 13-18 H.); together with a silver Royal Tournament Prize Medal, the reverse engraved ‘1929 Jumping Competition Other Ranks 13th/18th Hussars. S.S.M. W. F. Maguire’; and four regimental prize medals, three of which are named to the recipient for the inter-Squadron Hockey tournament, dated 1920, 1923, and 1925 respectively, contact marks, nearly very fine and better (9) £180-£220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 13th, 18th and 13th/18th Hussars.

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M.I.D. London Gazette 5 June 1919:
‘For distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty with the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force.’

William F. Maguire attested for the 13th Hussars and served as a Trumpeter during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 December 1914, and subsequently in Mesopotamia, where he was Mentioned in Despatches. He is mentioned in the Regimental History thus:
‘[On 5 November 1917] ”B” Squadron, under the command of Captain Bob Robinson, rode up to the Turkish front-line trench and found it evacuated, with a mass of Turks estimated at 300-400 retiring in the open. Bob at once, with the instincts of a true soldier, decided to charge these Turks, and proceeded to do so. When the Squadron reached the big mass of Turks a mêlée naturally occurred. Bob was seen taking on four Turks with his sword,and was shot through the head by one of them; he was killed instantaneously (incidentally his Trumpeter, Maguire, from whom we gather this description, claims to have shot this particular Turk with his revolver).’

Maguire remained in the Regiment following its amalgamation with the 18th Royal Hussars, and rose to the rank of Warrant Officer Class II, holding the appointment of Squadron Sergeant Major.

Sold with copied research including a photographic image of the recipient.