Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Private F. J. Viant, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry
1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, all medals privately named ‘5439949 Pte. F. J. Viant. D.C.L.I.’; together with a small 8th Army commemorative medal and a D.C.L.I. cap badge, very fine

Defence Medal (Sgt. Watters 12th. D.C.L.I.) privately engraved, minor edge nick, very fine

Aldershot Command Athletic Association sports medallions (2), bronze (1928 Command Unit Team Athletic Championships. 3 miles. Team Race Winners 2nd. Bn. D.C.L.I. L/C. E. Chidgey.; 1928-29 Command Cross Country Team Championship. Winners. 2nd. Bn. D.C.L.I. L/Cpl. E. Chidgey.) generally very fine (lot) £60-£80

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 46th Foot and its Successor Units.

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William Watters was born on 16 June 1904 and married Ethel Vashti Warren in Penzance in 1931. A dairy farmer by trade, he served with the local Home Guard and is recorded in the Cornishman on 19 February 1942 as taking part in house-to-house collections during the ‘Aid to Russia’ week. A long-standing resident of Sancreed, he died in 1997.

Edward Chidgey was born in Stogursey, Somerset, on 20 May 1902. A motor driver, he attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at Taunton on 27 March 1923 and was raised Lance Corporal on 1 February 1924. Employed as Regimental Postman, Chidgey gained his third class certificate of education at Guernsey on 22 October 1926 and was released from the Colours in 1935 with a fine reference: ‘A very good type of man, willing, hardworking, cheerful and reliable. A very fine athlete and cross country runner. Can be thoroughly recommended.’

Sold with the recipient’s copied Army Service Record and extensive private research.