Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Lieutenant W. W. Deacon, M.C., King’s Own Regiment, late 5th Battalion London Regiment, killed in action 23 August 1918

1914 Star (8 Pte., 5/Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.); Memorial Plaque (William Warren Deacon), medals mounted for wear, medals and plaque contained in fitted leather case, extremely fine (4) £600-700

M.C. London Gazette 17 July 1917. ‘For conspicuous gallantry. During an attack by his battalion he showed the greatest courage and initiative, and was mainly responsible for the objective being gained and maintained under heavy fire and against several counter attacks. He was twice wounded, but refused to give in, setting a splendid example of detirmination to all ranks’.

William Warren Deacon was born in Houndslow, Middlesex in April 1888. Educated at St. Paul’s School and Imperial College, South Kensington and a Civil Engineer by profession. He enlisted into the 5th City of London Rifles on 7 August 1914 and was given the service number ‘8’. With the the regiment he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 4 November 1914. Commissioned into the 5th Battalion King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) in 1916. Twice wounded in action in 1917 when winning his M.C., he recovered in Oswestry Military Hospital. He was killed in action on 23 August 1918, aged 30 years. The War Diary entry reads, ‘During the night the enemy shelled Tramway House killing ‘B’ Coy. commander Lt. W. W. Deacon. His death was instantaneous, a direct hit on the dugout, which he was occupying at the time’. Deacon was buried in the Houchin British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Sold with a quantity of copied service papers and other research, a telegram requesting his attendance at Buckingham Palace, three postcards, including one of Lieutenant H. N. Roberts, 10th Battalion King’s Own Regiment, sent to Deacon (Roberts was killed in action the following month at Arras.