Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The mounted group of three miniature dress medals worn by Captain F. J. Way, Army Service Corps

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 7 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Rel. of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R., mounted as worn, extremely fine (3) £40-50

Francis Joseph Way was born at Wimbledon, Surrey, on 2 May 1868, and attested for the Commissariat and Transport Corps on 11 March 1886, having previously served for 3 months in the Medical Staff Corps. Promoted Corporal on 1 September 1889, he was advanced to Company Sergeant Major on 14 January 1898, and served with the Army Service Corps in South Africa during the Boer War from 6 October 1899 until 14 September 1902. Advanced to 1st Staff Sergeant Major on 7 July 1906, he was awarded his Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal before being commissioned Lieutenant and Quarter Master on 29 January 1910.

On the outbreak of the Great War Way was posted to 1st Base Motor Transport Depot, Army Service Corps, and served with the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front from 12 August 1914. Mentioned in Field Marshal Sir John French’s Despatch (London Gazette 1 January 1916), and awarded the Military Cross (London Gazette 14 January 1916), he was promoted Captain on 1 July 1917, before returning home, suffering from the effects of War Service, and dying in hospital at Aldershot on 25 October 1918. He is buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery, Hampshire.

For the recipient’s related full-sized awards, see Lot 30.