Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant J. T. Wilson, South Wales Borderers, later North Staffordshire Regiment, late Montgomeryshire Yeomanry

Military Medal, G.V.R. (39175 Sjt. J. T. Wilson. 1/S. Wales Bord.); British War and Victory Medals (3573 Sjt. J. T. Wilson. Montgom. Yeo.) nearly very fine and better (3) £240-£280

M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919.

John Thomas Wilson, a potter’s placer, was born in Burslem in 1893, the third son of potter’s slipmaker Thomas Wilson of 2 Maddock Street, Burslem, Staffordshire. He attested for the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry in 1914 and was later awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry in the latter months of the campaign whilst serving in France with the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers. Heavily engaged during the Hundred Days Offensive from 8 August 1918 to 11 November 1918, Wilson and his comrades took part in a relentless and ultimately successful series of attacks designed to break the will of the Imperial German Army and redraw the battle lines.

Wilson survived the campaign and is listed in 1920 as a serving Sergeant in the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, attached 1st Corps Infantry School. The Staffordshire Sentinel of 4 January 1932, adds:
‘At the 5th North Staffords’ treat at Burslem about 220 children were given a happy time, and, thanks to the generosity of Miss I. M. Boote, each child received at the hands of Father Christmas, in the person of Sergeant Major J. T. Wilson, a gift from a large Christmas tree which stood in the hall.’

Sold with copied research.