Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Lieutenant-Colonel Sir William Codrington, Bt., 11th Hussars, who was severely wounded at the attack on Wagon Hill, 6 January 1900 whilst serving with the Imperial Light Horse, and subsequently commanded the 1st Motor Machine Gun Brigade during the Great War

India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (Lieut. W. R. Codrington. 11th. Hussars.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Mafeking, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Bt: Major. W. R. Codrington, 11/Hrs:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Major. W. R. Codrington. 11/Hrs.); 1914-15 Star (Bt. Major Sir W. R. Codrington. Bt. 11-Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. Sir W. R. Codrington. Bt.) light contact marks and edge bruise to first, nearly extremely fine (6) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Members of the Nobility and The Royal Household.

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Sir William Robert Codrington, 6th Baronet of Dodington, was born on 18 April 1867, the eldest son of Sir William Codrington, 5th Baronet, and his wife Mary. Educated at Beaumont School, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 11th Hussars on 31 December 1900, having previously served in the Militia, and was promoted Lieutenant on 24 October 1892. He served with the 11th Hussars during the operations on the North West Frontier of India between 1897 and 1898, and with the Imperial Light Horse in South Africa during the Boer War. He was present at the Defence of Ladysmith, including the action at Wagon Hill on 6 January 1900, where he was dangerously wounded: ‘All the available members of the regiment, numbering some 200, were now in action. Sick men who had been excused duty voluntarily took part in the action, and even the cooks, greasy but determined fellows, had forsaken their pots and pans and had joined in. The Regiment occupied an irregular line, conforming to the cover offering, diagonally across the hill from the end of Cæsar’s Camp to the main sangar and on to Wagon Point. The enemy came ever nearer and nearer, firing thick and fast with explosive bullets. The Colonel was in the firing line of “E” Squadron, together with Captain Codrington, and the latter, in a gallant attempt to rush forward to adjust his line to a better position, in order to stop the enemy’s deadly short-range fire, was put out of action by a gun shot through the liver. He was dragged back under cover, at terrible risk and with the greatest difficulty by Corporal W. Weir, who for his plucky action was afterwards awarded the D.C.M. Captain Codrington lay some time between life and death, but eventually lived to do many a good day’s work with the Imperial Light Horse throughout the Boer War.’ (The Story of the Imperial Light Horse, by G. F. Gibson refers).

Promoted Captain on 21 January 1901, for his services in the Boer War he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 9 July 1901) and granted the Brevet of Major, 22 August 1902. He served during the Great War with the 11th Hussars in France from 1914, was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, and commanded the 1st Motor Machine Gun Brigade, Machine Gun Corps.

Sir William Codrington married Miss Joan Rogers, daughter of Harry Rogers Esq., on 25 April 1903, with whom he had two sons. He succeeded to the Baronetcy upon the death of his father on 1 March 1904. Sir William died on 7 November 1932, and was succeeded to the Baronetcy by his eldest son. The title is extant, and is currently held by the recipient’s grandson.

Sold together with various photographs of the recipient.