Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Private W. Hansford, 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment

1914 Star, with clasp (5282 Pte., 1/Devon. R.); British War and Victory Medals (5282 Pte., Devon. R.) very fine and better (3) £140-180

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of 1914 Star Groups.

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Private William Hansford, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 27 August 1914. They joined the Lines of Communication Troops. They were placed in the 8th Brigade of the 3rd Division on 14 September 1914, and then on 30 September 1914 replaced the 2nd Suffolks (practically destroyed at Le Cateau) in the 14th Brigade of the 5th Division, part of II Corps. They were soon involved in heavy fighting at La Bassee - Armentieres on 17 October 1914. The 1/Devons and the 1/Norfolks were sent to protect Givenchy where the Germans made every effort to dislodge them. They suffered heavy casualties but managed to hold their position at La Bassee for 16 days against continual German attacks. They were with the 15th Division throughout 1915 and were involved in the 2nd Battle of Ypres and the capture of Hill 60. Hansford was later promoted to Serjeant and later transferred to the Hampshire Regiment. With copied roll extracts and m.i.c. - clasp confirmed; British War and Victory Medal duplicates issued in 1922. With riband bar.