Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

1914 Star (7620 Pte. T. J. Spink, S. Wales Bord.); Victory 1914-19 (34581 Pte. G. Turner, S. Wales Bord.) good very fine and better (2) £80-100

Thomas James Spink was born in Walsall, Staffordshire. As a Private in the 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 15 August 1914 - the unit forming part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. The Battalion fought through August but their main battle was in the Quarries on Mont Faucon Ridge early on the morning of 26 September. Through the fog the Germans launched a major attack and the soldiers of the S.W.B. were soon involved in hand to hand fighting, some men are said to have fought with their fists and one defended himself with a table fork! Next day an officer of the Camerons who relieved the 1st Battalion described how the German dead were lying almost shoulder-to-shoulder piled thickly in front of the centre of the line. The Welsh had kept control of the Quarries but had suffered severe casualties. Next day the Divisional Commander, General Lomax paid a special visit to the Battalion to congratulate it, comparing its bravery to their action at Rorkes Drift. It was one of the most important battles fought by the “Old Contemptibles” in 1914 but among the 87 killed was Private Thomas Spink whose body was not recovered and whose name is recorded on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial. Spink was the son of John William Spink, of Croft Head, Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire; and husband of Sarah Spink.

Private George Turner, 12th Battalion South Wales Borderers, late Lancashire Fusiliers, died of wounds on 20 December 1917, aged 19 years. Both with copied research.