Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

1914-15 Star (2) (18162 Pte. L. Hurford. R. Berks: R.; 18862 Pte. H. S. Radburn. R. Berks. R.) rank and initials double struck on latter; British War Medal 1914-20 (3) (8339 Sjt. A. Illsley. R. Berks. R.; 8446 Pte. J. R. McLean. R. Berks. R.; 3508 Pte. F. H. Russell) generally very fine (5) £100-£140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Royal Berkshire Collection.

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Leonard Hurford attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment for service during the Great War on 27 May 1915 and served with the 8th Battalion on the Western Front from 16 December 1915. Appointed Sergeant, he was discharged, as a consequence of wounds, on 6 March 1919 and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. B186,493.

Harry Sidney Radburn attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment for service during the Great War on 19 July 1915 and served with the 5th Battalion on the Western Front from 1 December 1915. Appointed Lance Sergeant, he also served with the 8th Battalion and was discharged, as a consequence of wounds, on 4 July 1919 and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. D248232.

Albert Illsley was born in Speen, Berkshire in 1880. He attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment in 1906 and served in India with the 2nd Battalion. He served with his Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 November 1914, before later service with both the 5th and 1st Battalions. On 9 September 1916 the Reading Mercury included his name in a casualty list, as being wounded as a Lance Corporal. Upon his recovery, he was later appointed Sergeant and was awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette, 11 February 1919): on 3 October 1918, The Newbury Weekly News reported: ‘Another Newbury man has won the Military Medal. This time it is Sergt. A. Illsley, 1st Royal Berks. Regt., for deeds of gallantry in the recent push on August 22nd.’ Moste likely Illsley was awarded the M.M. for his actions at Quesnoy Farm, near Rumilly, France.

Illsley was killed in action near Rumilly, on 9 October 1918, and is buried in Forenville Military Cemetery, France.

James Roderick McLean attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served during the Great War, on the Western Front, with the 1st Battalion, from 12 September 1914. He saw later service with the Labour Corps, Somerset Light Infantry and Army Ordnance Corps.

Frederick Henry Russell attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served during the Great War. He saw later service with the Labour Corps, 8th (Post Office Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment and the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Sold together with two impressed identity discs.