Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Battle of Messines’ M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant W. A. Williams, 15th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Prince of Wales’ Own Civil Service Rifles), who fought with his regiment in three theatres of war, and was twice wounded in action

Military Medal, G.V.R. (532269 Cpl. W. A. Williams. 15/Lond: R.); British War and Victory Medals (4984 A. Sjt. W. A. Williams. 15-Lond. R.) BWM officially renamed, darkly toned, extremely fine (3) £360-400

M.M. London Gazette 11 March 1919:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Messines on the 28th September 1918. This N.C.O. performed very valuable liaison work with the Company of the Battalion on his right during which he was surprised at close quarters by an enemy party of 30 strong whom he dispersed with rapid fire from his patrol. His fearless conduct and untiring efforts throughout the whole 48 hours advance played an invaluable part in the success of the operations.’

Wilfred Arthur Williams was born in Wandsworth in 1889, and resided at 3 Ballingdon Road, Clapham Common, London. He was employed as a Clerk prior to the Great War, and attested for the 15th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Prince of Wales’ Own Civil Service Rifles) at Somerset House, in November 1915.

Williams served during the Great War with the 2/15th London Regiment in the French theatre of war from 22 June 1916. He received a gun shot wound to the thigh, 7 September 1916, and served as Lance Corporal with the Battalion in Salonika from November 1916. He served with the Battalion in Palestine from June 1917, and received another gun shot wound, 8 November 1917. Williams returned to France in June 1918, was awarded his M.M. for gallantry at Messines in September 1918, and advanced to Sergeant in the same month. He died in October 1960.

Sold with the following related documents: typed carbon copy of citation for recipient’s M.M.; photograph of recipient, and another photographic image of recipient; Sick and Wounded Certificate of Employment During the War, this damaged; with various Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates.