Auction Catalogue

5 & 6 December 2018

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Live Online Auction

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Lot

№ 983

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6 December 2018

Hammer Price:
£95

Pair: Sergeant J. J. Sage, Essex Regiment, who was three times wounded during the Great War, including by gunshot at the Battle of the Somme on 21 October 1916, and by shrapnel at the Battle of Ypres on 15 October 1917

British War and Victory Medals (1464 Sjt. J. J. Sage. Essex R.) both in named card boxes of issue, toned, extremely fine (2) £60-£80

James Sage was born in Colchester, Essex, in 1889 and attested for the Essex Regiment at Colchester on 13 October 1914. He served with the 7th/8th (Cyclist) Company, 10th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 31 July 1916, and was wounded in action on 26 September 1916. Promoted Corporal on 18 August 1917, and acting Sergeant the following day, he was wounded a second time, suffering a gun shot wound to the elbow, on 21 October 1916, on which date the battalion was in action at the Regina and Stuff trenches, and was evacuated to England.

Returning to the Western Front, Sage was wounded a third time by shrapnel at Ypres on 15 October 1917. In his own statement, Sage stated that he ‘was in a shell slit with four others, when a shell burst almost on top of us. I was badly shaken and buried under two dead men. Other casualties were killed.’ His Commanding Officer’s statement read: ‘He was with four others. Enemy shell fire was heavy at the time and one burst very near to them killing the four other occupants. Sergeant Sage was very shaken and at the time the stretcher bearers thought he had two broken ribs.’

Sage was evacuated to England on 27 October 1917. Following the cessation of hostilities he volunteered for service with the army of occupation for one year, and was promoted temporary Company Sergeant Major on 8 August 1919. He was discharged on 9 April 1920.

Sold with copied record of service, relevant Battalion War Diary extracts, and other research.