Orders, Decorations and Medals

Pair: Squadron Sergeant-Major D. M. Williams, City of London (Rough Riders) Imperial Yeomanry

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State (14597 Bugr., Impl. Yeomanry); Imperial Yeomanry L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (27 S.S. Mjr., C. of L. (R.R.) I.Y.) edge bruising and contact marks, good fine (2) £450-550

David Messer Williams was born in Paddington. A Clerk by occupation and a serving member of the 14th (Inns of Court) Middlesex Rifle Volunteers, he attested for the Imperial Yeomanry on 9 August 1900, aged 20 years, 2 months. Posted to the 20th Battalion (Rough Riders) Imperial Yeomanry as a Bugler, he sailed for South Africa on 14 April 1900. He saw active service with the 76th Company in South Africa and returned safely home on 9 June 1901. He was discharged from the Imperial Yeomanry on 16 June 1901 and was subsequently awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal.

Having enjoyed his time with the Yeomanry, Williams joined the newly formed City of London (Rough Riders) Imperial Yeomanry. Rising steadily through the ranks, by 1907 he was a Squadron Sergeant-Major and in May the same year he was awarded the Imperial Yeomanry L.S. & G.C. Leaving the Imperial Yeomanry before the Great War, he re-enlisted as a Private in the Army Cyclist Corps. He was later promoted to Corporal but was discharged due to sickness on 6 April 1919. As he remained at home during the war, he was not awarded any further medals but was awarded the Silver War Badge. With a City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders) Dinner Menu, 23 February 1909, signed in pencil by various members; two copied photographs and copied research.

16 Imperial Yeomanry L.S. & G.C. Medals awarded to the unit.