Medals to the Liverpool Regiment from the Collection of Hal Giblin

A good Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain W. V. Kay, 20th (‘Pals’) Battalion, Liverpool Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse inscribed ‘Capt., K.L.R., presented at Buckingham Palace 31st August 1918’; 1914-15 Star (14159 Cpl., L’pool. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) heavy contact wear and edge bruising, therefore about good fine (4) £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to the Liverpool Regiment from the Collection of Hal Giblin.

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M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the battalion was in support and the right of the line was outflanked, he took his company and in the face of heavy machine-gun and shell fire established a defensive flank. He showed great skill in his dispositions and helped thereby to save the remainder of his battalion.’

Captain William Vincent Kay was born on 26 October 1889 and lived at Southport, Lancashire. He enlisted into the ranks of the Liverpool Regiment on 16 October 1914, receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant on 29 August 1917. Promoted to the rank of Captain on 25 March 1918, he relinquished his commission on completion of service on 7 August 1920. An article in the Southport Visitor newspaper states, that he was in hospital at Birmingham having been wounded in the knee and that he had been twice previously wounded. Captain Kay died on 14 June 1930 at the age of 41, as a result of ‘pulmonary tuberculosis and gas poisoning during the war.’

Sold with the following original documentation:

Officer’s Record of Service book; illuminated copy of Army Orders, dated 28 April 1918, including announcement of M.C.; illuminated congratulatory certificate on the award of the M.C. from H.Q. Fourth Army, dated 28 April 1918; an interesting and rare identity card, ‘Carte D’identite (Officier Anglais)’ including photograph of recipient, issued on 24 June 1920; letter from The War Office, dated 27 September 1926, giving particulars of recipients military service; copies of marriage and death certificates.