A Collection of Medals to the Hampshire Regiment

The Great War ‘Salonika’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain W. H. Collins, Bombay Baroda & Central India Railway Regiment, late 10th Battalion Hampshire Regiment and 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment - sold with a great number of associated items

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse inscribed, ‘W. H. Collins. Lieut. Hampshire Regt. 1/9/18’; 1914 Star, with clasp (L-7913 C.S. Mjr., 2/Middx. R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt.); Minto Fancy Fete Calcutta Medal 1907, bronze and silver, reverse inscribed, ‘7913 W. H. Collins, Mx. Rgt.’; together with a mounted group of nine masonic awards - two named to ‘W. H. Grovenor-Collins’, these contained in a Spink, London leather case, medals good very fine (lot) £1500-1800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Hampshire Regiment.

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M.C. London Gazette 11 January 1919. ‘2/Lieut. William Henry Collins, 10th Btn. Hampshire Regt. (Salonika)’

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack. No other officers were left in his company, and his three senior Sergeants were casualties, but he led his company with great skill and determination, setting a splendid example to all under his command. In capturing a position he was wounded, but did not wait to have his wounds dressed until all his objectives had been captured and his company was reorganised’.

M.I.D. London Gazette not confirmed.

William Henry Collins entered the France/Flanders theatre of war as a Company Sergeant-Major in the 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment, on 7 November 1914. Later served as such with the 3rd Battalion Hampshire Regiment. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the Hampshire Regiment on 16 April 1917. On 1 September 1918, 2nd Lieutenant Collins, led ‘A’ Company, 10th Battalion Hampshire Regiment, in an assault on Bulgarian positions at the Roche Noire Salient, Salonika. Though wounded in the action, Collins continued to lead his men until all the objectives had been taken and a defensive position secured, taking 28 prisoners in the process. For his leadership and bravery in action, Collins was awarded the Military Cross. Postwar he served in India as a Captain in the Bombay, Baroda & Central India Railway Regiment.

With a large photograph album, half calf, bearing in gilt, the crest of the Bombay Baroda & Central India Railway Regiment A.F. (India) and inscribed, ‘Camp Photographs 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928 Captain W. H. Collins, M.C. The Hampshire Regt.’ - 48 pages, 144 photographs - these all identified, including some of the recipient; wooden and glazed door plaque, 39 x 17.5cm., ‘Capt. W. H. Collins, M.C., (The Hampshire Regt.) Adjutant, 1st Battn. Bombay, Baroda & Central India Railway Regt.’; Bayonet and Scabbard, English 1907 pattern; Russian silver and niello Kindjal, scabbard with replacement chape, rusted blade; fly-wisk with ivory handle; leather bound riding crop, crudely inscribed, ‘W.H.C.’; leather pistol holder; silver plated tankards (5) inscribed, ‘Souvenir Inter-Battalion Boxing 1925’; ‘Madras Guards Shield Souvenir 1926’; ‘Souvenir Richardson Cup 1927’ (2); ‘Souvenir Madras Guards Shield 1927’; silver plated prize cup, uninscribed, with lid and a wooden plinth; silver shaving set (3 pieces) hallmarks for Birmingham 1922, each inscribed, ‘Captain W. H. Collins, M.C.’; silver plated desk lighter, part made from a German shell casing; silver case with an enamelled lid inscribed, ‘W.H.C.’, hallmarks for Birmingham 1909; desk paperweight, part made from a German shell casing; gong, bearing the crests of the B.B. & C.I. Railway Regiment and the Hampshire Regiment, inscribed, ‘To Captain W. H. Collins, M.C. from 1st Battalion Bombay, Barroda & Central India Railway Regiment 1927’, together with wooden base, attachments and gong striker; Indian silver plaque with coins attached to chain; another chain bearing silver Indian coins; another silvered bronze plaque (2); silver ‘crossed rifles’ ornament; whistle; unofficial Coronation Medal 1911 (2); 1937 (1); sundry uniform insignia: buttons, pips, shoulder titles etc.; masonic booklets (6); a pack of playing cards; all contained in a large metal box inscribed, ‘William H. Grovenor Collins’. Also with some copied research.

Note: this is a very heavy lot.