Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Private E. Button, 1st South African Infantry, late 2nd Infantry, killed in action, 10 September 1916

1914-15 Star (Pte., 2nd Infantry); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte., 1st S.A.I.) extremely fine (3) £160-200

Edward Button was born in London and educated in Lambeth. Having emigrated to South Africa and a Plumber by occupation, he was mobilised with the 2nd Infantry (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Volunteer Rifles). With the ‘Dukes’ he served in operations in German South West Africa. He was discharged on 31 July 1915 but rejoined for overseas service in September 1915. With the 1st South African Infantry he was posted to England and thence to France, arriving there on 7 August 1916. He was killed in action, shot by a sniper, on 10 September 1916, aged 24 years. He was buried in the Villers Station Cemetery at Villers-au-Bois. He was the son of Alice Hay (formerly Button) of 18 Earl Street, Woodstock, Cape Town. With copied service papers and war diary extracts.