Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Mesopotamia’ D.S.O. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel W. Hesketh, 12th Cavalry, Indian Army, late Gordon Highlanders, serving with whom he was severely wounded during the relief of Chitral in 1895

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels; India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Relief of Chitral 1895, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (2nd Lieut. W. Hesketh, 1st Bn. Gord: Highrs.) second clasp loose as issued; 1914-15 Star (Maj. W. Hesketh, 12/Cavy.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col. W. Hesketh) surname spelt ‘Hosketh’ on the War Medal; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Maj. W. Hesketh, 11-12 Cavalry) mounted as worn, good very fine or better (6) £2000-2500

D.S.O. London Gazette 26 August 1918: ‘For distinguished service in connection with military operations in Mesopotamia.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 14 August 1917 (Mesopotamia), and 27 August 1918 (Mesopotamia).

William Hesketh was born on 1 November 1872, the only son of Robert Walter Hesketh (1837-1919), of the Madras Army. He graduated from Sandhurst and was commissioned in November 1894. As was the practice with officers destined for the Indian Army, he spent his first year attached to a British regiment, the Gordon Highlanders. While serving with this regiment on the relief of Chitral he took part in the storming of the Malakand Pass and was severely wounded by a gunshot wound to the chest.

In February 1896 Hesketh was appointed to the Bengal Staff Corps and posted to the 12th Bengal Cavalry. He was promoted to Lieutenant in April 1897, and was temporarily attached to the 11th Bengal Lancers for service in the North West Frontier campaigns of 1897-98. As part of the Malakand Field Force he served with Winston Churchill and is mentioned in his book The Story of the Malakand Field Force, when he describes an incident during a reconnaissance patrol:

‘The squadron concentrated near the village, and we heard that the other sketching party had met with more adventures than had fallen to our lot. It was commanded by Lieutenant Hesketh, a young officer who was severely wounded at the storming of the Malakand Pass in 1895, and who, having again volunteered for active service, was attached to the 11th Bengal Lancers. At the foot of the pass he dismounted his troop and, taking a few men with him, began the climb. The pass was occupied by tribesmen who threatened to fire on the party if they advanced further. The subaltern replied that he only wished to see the country on the other side and did not intend to harm anyone. At the same time he pursued his way and the tribesmen, not wishing to bring matters to a crisis, fell back slowly, repeatedly taking aim, but never daring to fire. He reached the top of the pass and Captain Walters, the Assistance Intelligence Officer, was able to make a most valuable sketch of the country beyond. It was a bold act and succeeded more through its boldness than from any other cause; for, had the tribesmen once opened fire, very few of the party could have got down alive. Making a detour to avoid the village, which it was undesirable to traverse a second time, the squadron returned and arrived at the camp at Ghosam as the sun was setting.’

In 1902 Hesketh was appointed Temporary Commandant, Silladar Camel Cadre, at Rawalpindi. The following year he was promoted to Captain, and to Major in 1912. On 14 March 1914 he was a Squadron Commander in the 12th Cavalry. He served on the western front from 28 November 1914 to 2 January 1916, for most of the time attached to the 34th Poona Horse. From February 1916 to the end of the war he served in Mesopotamia where, in August 1917, he had an independent command, ‘Hesketh’s Column’. In 1918 he was officiating second in command of the 12th Cavalry. He was decorated with the Distinguished Service Order for his services in this theatre, and twice mentioned in despatches.

In 1919 Hesketh participated in his third campaign on the North West Frontier. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in June 1920 and appointed Commandant, 26th Light Cavalry, in 1921. Colonel Hesketh retired on 28 May 1923, and was still listed as a retired officer in the Indian Army List of 1939.

Sold with original warrant for D.S.O., together with both original M.I.D. certificates and commission document as 2nd Lieutenant.