Orders, Decorations and Medals

Pair: Private W. W. R. Southwood, 12th Battalion Australian Imperial Forces, who died of wounds on 12 October 1917

British War and Victory Medals (3691 Pte., 12-Bn. A.I.F.) ‘Victory’ officially re-impressed, very fine (2) £100-140

William Walter Randal Southwood was born near the town of Kadina, South Australia. A Carpenter by occupation, he attested for the Australian Imperial Force on 1 January 1917, aged 32 years, 3 months. Posted to the 9/5th Pioneer Battalion, he proceeded overseas from Adelaide on 10 February 1917, arriving at Devonport on 2 May 1917. In July 1917 he entered France and was posted to the 12th Battalion A.I.F. soon after. With the battalion in Belgium he was wounded in action in early October 1917, suffering a severe gunshot wound to the face and a fractured lower jaw. Evacuated to England, he died from his wounds and shock following an operation at Horton County London Hospital, Epsom, on 12 October 1918. He was buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery. He was the son of William and Annie Southwood and husband of Emily Elizabeth Southwood, of Adelaide House, Bond Street, Cromer, Norfolk.

With a quantity of copied service papers, together with copied letters to and from his widow to the military authorities following his death.