Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War Salonika operations D.C.M. group of five awarded to Company Sergeant-Major W. J. Martin, South Wales Borderers, formerly ‘a brilliant outside-half’ for Newport and Wales

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8-14826 C.S. Mjr. W. J. Martin, 8/S. Wales Bord.); 1914-15 Star (14826 C.S. Mjr. W. J. Martin, S. Wales Bord.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (14826 A.W.O. Cl. 1 W. J. Martin, S. Wales Bord.); France, Medaille d’Honour, with swords, silver, minor official correction to number on the first, generally good very fine (5) £1000-1200

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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D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has invariably shown conspicuous gallantry and untiring energy, particularly on patrol work, frequently obtaining very valuable information at great personal risk. On one occasion he carried in a wounded man under heavy shell fire, totally regardless of danger.’

Walter John Martin was born at Woodford, Essex in May 1883 but his family moved to Newport, Wales, just a year or two later. Educated at Eveswell School and Newport Intermediate School, he excelled at sports and won an exhibition to the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire. Afterwards employed by a company of accountants, he otherwise pursued his rugby career, gaining appointment to Newport’s First XV in the 1904-05 season and to the team’s captaincy in 1912. He subsequently won three caps playing for Wales.

On the advent of hostilities in August 1914, Martin was one of Newport Athletic Club’s first volunteers, who formed a platoon in the newly raised 8th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, and it was in this capacity that he served with distinction in Salonika. In addition to his D.C.M., he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 11 June 1918, refers), and awarded the French Medaille d’Honour (London Gazette 21 July 1919, refers).

Returning to Newport after the war, he was employed by the Great Western Railway as a cashier up until his death in May 1933:

‘His funeral was one of the most remarkable tributes to a soldier, sportsman, and good citizen, ever held in Newport. The route from his home to the cemetery was lined by thousands of people, the funeral procession was over a mile long, and contained representatives from practically every organisation in the town. The bearers were members of the Newport Athletic Club platoon that joined the 8th Battalion en bloc shortly after the outbreak of war.’

Sold with copied research.