Auction Catalogue

19 & 20 March 2008

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Lot

№ 904

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20 March 2008

Hammer Price:
£1,050

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Second Lieutenant W. H. Benbow, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, attached Royal Berkshire Regiment, late King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who was killed in action, 23 August 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (Y-964 Sjt., 1/K.R.R.C.); 1914-15 Star (Y964 Pte. (A. Sjt.), K.R. Rif. C.); British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.); Memorial Plaque (Walter Harold Benbow), this in card envelope, nearly extremely fine (5) £800-1000

M.M. London Gazette 17 April 1917.

Walter Harold Benbow was born in Brueton, Somerset, on 10 February 1889 and educated at King Edward’s Grammar School, Camp Hill, Birmingham. A Clerk by occupation, he attested for service on 27 August 1914. With the 1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps he served with the B.E.F. in France, 3 August 1915-12 March 1916. Suffering a gun-shot wound to the chest on 7 March 1916, he was evacuated to England and remained there until 15 August 1916. He returned to further service in France, 16 August 1916-31 May 1917 and was awarded the M.M. for bravery in the field during 10/11 March 1917 which resulted in the capture of the Grevillers Trench Line and capture of Bailleul Village. After attaining the rank of Company Quartermaster Sergeant with the K.R.R.C. he was commissioned into the 7th Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Returning once more to France, and attached to the 7th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment, he was killed in action on 23 August 1918, aged 29 years. He was buried in the Bienvillers Military Cemetery. He was the son of Mr H. Stewart Benbow of “Chadshunt”, Lyttleton Road, Stechford, Birmingham. Sold with a quantity of copied service papers and other research.