Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Sergeant W. R. H. Rankin, 2nd Regiment, South African Infantry, who died of wounds on 26 March 1918

British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Sjt. W. R. H. Rankin. 2nd S.A.I.); Memorial Plaque (William Robert Hood Rankin) traces of adhesive to reverse of all and minor staining to plaque, otherwise good very fine (3) £100-£140

This lot is to be sold as part of a special collection, The Bernard Harris Collection of Medals to the 2nd Regiment, South African Infantry.

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William Robert Hood Rankin, a train driver, was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1891. He attested for the 2nd South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 30 August 1915 and initially served with the Regiment in Egypt, being repeatedly struck down by stomach complaints. Embarked for France on 10 May 1916, he joined the 10th Entrenching Battalion in the field on 9 June 1916 and was wounded in action on 18 July 1916; his service record notes a gunshot wound to the right ear and shell shock. Promoted Corporal on 30 October 1916 and Temporary Sergeant in the field, he died of wounds during the German Spring Offensive on 26 March 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

Sold with copied service record.