Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Gunner P. E. Stilton, Royal Field Artillery

1914-15 Star (86874. Ftr. P. E. Stilton, R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (86874 Gnr. P. E. Stilton. R.A.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (86874 Gnr: P. E. Stilton. A.63/Bde: R.F.A.) polished, nearly very fine (4) £120-£160

M.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1917.

Philip Edward Stilton was born in Kentish Town, Middlesex, around 1885, and attested for the Royal Field Artillery at Woolwich on 25 August 1914. Sent to the workshops at Woolwich for a skills test, the resulting judgement of ‘indifferent’ by Major R. Edmonds, Army Ordnance Department, proved an early setback. Repeated absences from barracks further held Stilton back. Appointed Acting Fitter 23 May 1915, Stilton finally crossed the English Channel to France on 31 May 1915 and was later vindicated with the award of the M.S.M. in the New Year’s Honours list of 1917.