Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Staff Sergeant C. F. James, Army Veterinary Corps, late 7th Dragoon Guards

1914 Star (6100 Pte. C.F. James. 7/D. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (6100 A. S.Sjt. C.F. James. 7-D. Gds.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (712 S.Sjt: C.F. James. 48/M.V. Sec: A.V.C.) minor edge nick to MSM, good very fine (4) £300-£400

M.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1918.

Charles Frank James was born at Sandown, Isle of Wight in 1882. He enlisted in 7th (The Princess Royal’s) Dragoon Guards in July 1902. After three years’ service he transferred to the Army Reserve, from which he was recalled to the colours at the outbreak of the Great War. He served with the 7th Dragoon Guards during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 August 1914 and was transferred to the Army Veterinary Corps the following February. In August 1915 he was sent back to England to join 48th Mobile Veterinary Section, then preparing for active service with 36th (Ulster) Division. He crossed back to France with his new unit in October 1915 and remained with it for much of the next three years.

Mobile Veterinary Sections were small units (generally composed of around 20 other ranks under an officer) and were in effect providers of first aid medical care for sick, wounded or injured horses and other animals used by all the units of the Division to which they were attached. The M.V.S. would also provide evacuation to Base Veterinary Hospitals of animals requiring greater care than it could provide.

Staff Sergeant James was the senior N.C.O. of his unit, his M.S.M. one of two such awards made to 48th Mobile Veterinary Section. On demobilisation in 1919 he returned to his home at Ryde, Isle of Wight, where he died in 1943.