Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

1914-15 Star (2) (2056 Cpl. J. W. Rowland. Midd’x R.; G-5340. Pte. W. R. Scott. Middx. R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (4) (89737 Pte. J. Coleman. Midd’x R.; 1329 Pte. C. G. Elliott. Midd’x R.; S-7003 Pte. H. Ray. Midd’x R.; G.3196 Pte. R. Souster. Midd’x R.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (2) (L-11835 A.Cpl. W. Sheldon. Midd’x R.; G-11715 Pte. H. Bowman. Midd’x R.) nearly very fine and better (8) £100-£140

John W. Rowland attested for the Middlesex Regiment and served with them during the Great War in the Balkan theatre of War from 9 August 1915.

William Robert Scott attested for the Middlesex Regiment on 20 October 1914 and served with the 4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 January 1915. He was discharged due to sickness on 11 December 1915, and was awarded a Silver War Badge.

Harry Ray attested for the Middlesex Regiment and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 December 1914.

Reginald Souster was born in Wood Green, Middlesex, and attested there for the Middlesex Regiment. He served with the 12th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 25 July 1915, and was killed in action on 26 September 1916 during the Battalion’s assault on Thiepval- going over the top they were met by intense machine gun fire, but in spite of this, and mounting casualties, they captured and held their objectives. For their gallantry during this action, Privates Frederick Edwards and Robert Ryder were both awarded the Victoria Cross, 2 of the 42 decorations (not including Mentions in Despatches) that were awarded to the Battalion for this one attack. Total battalion casualties for the day were 9 officers killed and 7 wounded, and 149 other ranks killed and 265 wounded. Souster was amongst those killed- he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

William Sheldon attested for the Middlesex Regiment and served with the 4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 August 1914.