Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘1916 Somme’ M.M. group of four awarded to Corporal A. Ursell, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, for his gallantry at High Wood in July 1916 - wounded and taken Prisoner of War, he was repatriated through Switzerland and was discharged on account of his wounds in 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R. (9119 Cpl. A. Ursell. 2/R.W. Fus:); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (9119 L. Cpl. A. Ursell. 2/R.W. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (9119 Cpl. A. Ursell. R.W. Fus.) good very fine (4) £500-£700

M.M. London Gazette 1 September 1916.

Alfred Ursall attested for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 9 June 1906 and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914. He was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry on 19-20 July 1916 (Battalion War Diary refers), on which date the Battalion was in action at High Wood, Somme; Red Cross records show that he was wounded by a bullet to the face in this action, that resulted in the loss of his left eye.

Ursall was at some stage taken Prisoner of War, evidenced by a postcard of Thüringen Prisoner of War camp that he sent home to his mother (included with lot), bearing the message ‘Going on alright. From Alf.’ He was repatriated through Switzerland in December 1916, and was discharged on account of wounds on 15 November 1917, being awarded a Silver War Badge, no. 263,439.

Sold with the aforementioned Postcard sent home by the recipient; and copied Medal Index Card and other research.