Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family group:

Volunteer Force Long Service, E.VII.R. (1007 Corpl. C. Crompton, 1st V.B., S. Wales Bdrs.), good very fine

Three: Sergeant C. Crompton, South Wales Borderers, a member of the ‘1st Brecknockshires’ who died on active service in Aden in July 1915

1914-15 Star (1688 Sjt. C. Crompton, S. Wales Bord.); British War and Victory Medals (1688 A. Sjt. C. Crompton, S. Wales Bord.), together with ‘Brecknock’ brass shoulder title, good very fine (5) £240-280

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Welsh Regiments formed by the Late Llewellyn Lord.

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Collection

Charles Crompton was born in Herefordshire, the son of Charles and Mrs. Crompton of Brecon Road, Hay. As a boy he was a member of the Hay Parish Church Choir and, as a teenager, ‘an ardent member of the Hay Branch of the Church Lads’ Brigade.’

In 1913, he joined Hay Company of the 1st Brecknockshire Battalion, South Wales Borderers (Territorials), and quickly rose to the acting rank of Sergeant. The unit departed for Aden at the end of the year, where, in late June 1915, a Turkish Division began to advance on Lahaj to the north. On 4-5 July, after a severe action at Lahaj, the Aden Movable Column, which included the 1st Brecknockshires, was compelled to retire with serious losses: ‘the return march proved an even greater trial than the advance. Practically all those who made the march were incapacitated, and nearly 20 died of heat-stroke.’ Such was Crompton’s fate, who died on 14 July 1915; sold with copied research, including local press portrait.