Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Sergeant G. W. Ambrose, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who was killed in action during the 3rd Battle of Gaza on 2 November 1917

British War and Victory Medals (1342 Sjt. G. W. Ambrose. Essex R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (1342 A. Sjt. G. W. Ambrose. Essex. R.) good very fine £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Small Collection of Medals to the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment (Territorial Force).

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Only 7 Territorial Force War Medals awarded to the Essex Regiment where the recipient was either killed in action or died of wounds, four of them being to the 5th Battalion. This group is believed to be a unique Essex Regiment Territorial Force War Medal casualty group for the Third Battle of Gaza.

George William Ambrose (also recorded in some sources as William George Ambrose) was born in Braintree, Essex, in 1897 and attested there for the Essex Regiment (Territorial Force). He served with ‘C’ Company, 1/5th Battalion during the Great War in Palestine, and was killed in action during the 3rd Battle of Gaza on 2 November 1917. His death is mentioned in the battalion history: ‘The killed included … such good non-commissioned officers as Sergeants H Byles, N Bruce and D Ambrose [sic]’. (With the 1/5th Essex in the East, refers). He is buried in Gaza War Cemetery.