Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private W. J. Lewis, 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers

Military Medal, G.V.R. (3-18484. Pte. W. J. Lewis. 2/S.W. Bord.); 1914-15 Star (18484 Pte. W. J. Lewis. S. Wales Bord:); British War and Victory Medals (18484 Pte. W. J. Lewis. S. Wales Bord.) pitting from Star, edge bruising, nearly very fine (4) £340-380

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Gallantry Awards to the South Wales Borderers.

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M.M. London Gazette 9 July 1917.

William John Lewis attested for the South Wales Borderers and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 9 February 1915. Transferring to the 2nd Battalion, he was awarded the Military Medal, before being discharged to Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 22 March 1919.

Although Lewis’s M.M. is Gazetted as a 2nd Battalion award, his number shows him as being part of the 3rd Battalion. It is likely therefore that he was wounded whilst serving with the 1st Battalion, was then posted to the 3rd Battalion in Liverpool after hospital to gain full fitness, before returning to the Western Front on the strength of the 2nd Battalion.