Three: Captain F. Walton, M.M., King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who was killed in action at the battle of Flers, 15 September 1916

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Orange Free State, South Africa 1902 (2538 Corpl., K.R.R.C.); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (2538 C.S. Mjr., 2/K.R. Rif. C.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt.); together with an erased Victory Medal 1914-19, M.I.D. oak leaf; ‘The J. H. Steward Jewel’ 1911, rev. inscribed, ‘South Eastern District Rifle Association won by Col. Sgt. Walton’, 35 x 33mm., 15ct. gold; Queen Victoria’s Cup Medallion, rev. inscribed, ‘2nd King’s Royal Rifles, Col. Sergt. F. Walton’, 54mm., silver; Henry Whitehead Cup Medallion, rev. inscribed, ‘1st Cheshire Regt. The Henry Whitehead Cup (Cavalry & Infantry) 1913, Col. Sergeant F. Walton, 2nd King’s Royal Rifles’, 44mm., silver, some scratches to Q.S.A., otherwise nearly extremely fine (lot) £300-360

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 60th Rifles and King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

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Frederick Walton was born in Hunslet, Leeds, Yorkshire. A Fitter by occupation, he attested for the King’s Royal Rifle Corps on 9 January 1900, aged 18 years, 3 months. Posted to the 4th Battalion, he served with the regiment in South Africa, December 1901-December 1902. Then with the 2nd Battalion he served in India, December 1902-February 1910. At the beginning of the Great War he was a Company Sergeant-Major, and went to the France/Flanders theatre of war on 12 August 1914. For gallant conduct he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 17 September 1914), was awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette 22 January 1917) and given a commission in the regiment in April 1915. Serving with the 5th Battalion, he was wounded, suffering a gunshot wound to the back, on 26 May 1915, during the battle of Ypres.

Returning home, he was for some time an Instructor in Musketry with the 5th battalion at Sheerness. From there he joined the 18th Battalion in March 1916, to which battalion he was appointed Adjutant on 30 March. As a Captain with the 18th battalion he was killed in action at the battle of Flers, 15 September 1916, aged 34 years. He was buried in the Serre Road Cemetery, No.2. He was the eldest son of William H. and Fanny Walton of Beeston Hill, Leeds and husband of Marion Walton of 18A High Street, Godalming. Sold with about 78 copied sheets of service and related papers, together with a quantity of other research including copied photographs. Also with cap badge and riband bar.