Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Lieutenant R. W. Formby, Royal Engineers, late Madras Motor Cycle Corps, Indian Army, who was killed in action at Le Transloy on 16 February 1917

1914-15 Star (No. 5 Crpl. R. W. Formby, Mad. Vol. Rfls. attd. D.S.C.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. R. F. Formby.); Delhi Durbar 1911, silver, unnamed as issued, good very fine (3) £100-£140

Richard William Formby was born at Ynyslas, Glamorganshire, on 21 March 1876 and was educated at Newton College, Newton Abbot, Devon. He obtained an appointment in the Public Works Department, Madras Presidency, in 1897, and went to India the same year. He was present at the Delhi Durbar in 1911 (medal), and by the time of the Great War was Executive Engineer of Bellary.

Following the outbreak of the Great War Formby volunteered for Imperial Service, and served with the Madras Motor Cycle Corps on the Western Front from March 1915. He was commissioned lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 18 April 1915, and was killed in action near Le Transloy on 16 February 1917, while taking out a communication trench. He is buried in the Officers’ Cemetery at Guillemont, France.

Formby married Miss Mildred Amy Strickland at Newton Abbot on 24 August 1905; tragically she pre-deceased her husband for, when they were out shooting in the jungle near Renigunta railway station in India on 28 December 1914, Formby accidentally shot his wife through the breast, killing her instantaneously.

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