Nine: Warrant Officer Frederick Byford, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was wounded and taken prisoner of war in the Battle of Le Cateau on 26 August 1914

Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (3019 Cpl., 2/Lan. Fus.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (3019 Pte., Lanc. Fus.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (3019 Clr. Serjt., Lanc. Fus.); 1914 Star, with clasp (3019 C. S. Mjr., 2/Lan. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (3019 W.O.Cl.2., Lan. Fus.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3019 C. Sjt., Lanc. Fus.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., type 3 (3019 C./Sjt., L.F.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum (3019 Corpl., 2nd L.F.) first three medals a little polished, therefore nearly very fine and better (9) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Fine Collection of Medals to 'Old Contemptibles' formed by Major Bob Keay.

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M.S.M. awarded in Army Order 98 of 1953 without annuity.

Frederick Byford was born in Poplar, London in 1874 and enlisted into the Lancashire Fusiliers in June 1889, aged 14 years 11 months, at which time he gave his trade as a musician. He landed in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. on 22 August 1914 and was wounded by a gunshot to the right ankle and taken prisoner four days later in the Battle of Le Cateau on 26 August 1914. He was held at Friedrichsfeld, Bei Wesel prisoner of war camp in Germany, finally being repatriated on 13 July 1917 after nearly three years as a prisoner of war. He served the remainder of his time at home and received his discharge from the army in January 1920.