Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A well-documented Great War ‘Thiepval Ridge, Mouquet Farm’ September 1916 D.C.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant William Wilson, Lancashire Fusiliers

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2817 C.S. Mjr: W. Wilson. 9/Lanc: Fus:); 1914 Star, with clasp (2817 Sjt. W. Wilson. 2/Lan: Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (2817 W.O. Cl. 2. W. Wilson. Lan. Fus.); War Medal 1939-45, unnamed, mounted as worn, together with Silver War Badge (B17964) nearly very fine or better (6) £1,200-£1,600

D.C.M. London Gazette 25 November 1916:

‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He showed a splendid example to the men of his company. Later, although wounded, he remained with his company throughout the operations.’

William Wilson was born in Wigan on 27 November 1887. A pre-war regular, he served with 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers in France and Flanders from 8 November 1914, and later with the 9th and 16th Battalions. During the Second War he was a Warrant Officer of No. 1178 (Wigan) Squadron, Air Training Corps. He died in Wigan on 31 May 1977.

Sold with several original photographs and documents including large certificate confirming that he ‘Served with honour and was disabled in the Great War. Honourably discharged on 2nd October 1918’; letter from the D.C.M. League; typed account of D.C.M. presentation ceremony by the Mayor; Air Training Corps warrant of appointment as W.O. of No. 1178 (Wigan) Squadron from 11 October 1941; and Certificate of Death. Together with copied research including War Diary for September 1916, including detailed report on the attack at Mouquet Farm, during which the battalion lost all the Company Commanders and all but two of the officers who ‘went over’, and ‘about 400 casualties in the ranks’.