Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Private R. Watling, 2nd Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, a prisoner-of-war

1914 Star, with clasp (9738 Pte., Yorks. L.I.) with silver rosette on ribbon, service number corrected; British War and Victory Medals (9738 Pte., Yorks. L.I.) mounted as worn, edge bruising, contact marks, about very fine; associated with his son’s (?) medals: 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, these unnamed, these nearly extremely fine (8) £150-200

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

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Private Richard G. Watling, 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Light Infantry, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 14 August 1914. Served in the 13th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division, in Smith-Dorrien’s II Corps. With the Suffolks, the Yorkshire Light Infantry defended a ridge to the south of Le Cateau on 26 August 1914. When orders went out to retire, the Yorkshire L.I. never received them and many of the forward companies were overwhelmed. At some stage Watling was captured and became a prisoner-of-war. Upon his release he was discharged due to sickness on 23 March 1919 and awarded the Silver War Badge (not with lot). With copied roll extract and m.i.c. - clasp not confirmed but probably so entitled. The W.W.2 medals come with the original (unnamed) forwarding slip and card forwarding box, addressed to ‘Mr R. Watling, 102 Sprowston Rd., Norwich, Norfolk