A fine Collection of Medals to the Sherwood Foresters

Family group:

Pair: Private W. Adams, Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (6361 Pte., Notts. & Derby. Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (6361 Pte., Notts. & Derby. Regt.) suspension refitted, edge bruising, contact marks, fine

Three: Serjeant A. A. Adams, Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment
1914 Star, with clasp (10954 L. Cpl., 2/Notts. & Derby. R.); British War and Victory Medals (10954 Sjt., Notts. & Derby. R.); together with a Silver War Badge (11609) medals heavily worn through polishing (6) £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Medals to the Sherwood Foresters.

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Walter Adams was born in Swindon, Wiltshire. He enlisted into the 45th Regiment at Aldershot on 5 August 1880, aged 18 years, 4 months, having previously served in the 5th Middlesex Militia. Adams deserted on 3 September 1886 but claimed the Queen’s Pardon having confessed his desertion in August 1887. In 1888 he was imprisoned for theft. Served in South Africa, 18 March 1900-28 June 1902. Discharged to a pension in 1907. He was admitted to the Royal Hospital on 5 March 1935. He died in Derby on 14 October 1944.

With soldiers’ pay book in leather cover; damaged marriage certificate; several photographs, including some as a Chelsea Pensioner; Royal Hospital Chelsea Christmas Card to ‘Albert Adams’ from ‘Dear Old Dad, Xmas, 1939’; together with copied research.

Albert Arthur Adams was born in Derby on 28 August 1891, the son of Walter Adams. A Wagon-Builder by occupation, he enlisted into the Derbyshire Regiment on 16 September 1908. In the Great War he served with the 2nd Battalion Notts. & Derbys from 8 September 1914 to 9 April 1919. He was wounded on 13/15 September 1918 at ‘Arrowhead Copse’, Guillemont. Awarded the ‘Appreciation Card’ on 5 June 1918 by the Divisional Commander for courage between 21-31 March. After the war he served with the 2nd Battalion in India and was on the Razmak March of 1926. Promoted to Company Quartermaster Sergeant in October 1926. He was discharged on 18 December 1933 and applied to be a Postman. Albert Arthur Adams died on 16 April 1964.

With a quantity of original photographs, military and civil; postcard photographs, some inscribed; Notts. & Derby Regiment embroidered Christmas Cards (2); Divisional Appreciation Card - for ‘Gallantry, west of Peronne, on March 26th 1918’; Sherwood Foresters Old Comrades’ Association Life Membership Card; letter re his application for employment as a Postman, 1935; Programme Card bearing signatures including that of Adams; Simple Prayer Book, belonging to Annie Adams; Marksman’s Certificates (2) awarded to Sergeant W. Stretton, 1895-96 and 1896-97. With copied research. A fascinating archive.

Silver War Badge 11609 awarded to Private Samuel Turner, Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, enlisted 7 September 1914; discharged due to sickness on 6 May 1916.