Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Kut al Amara’ D.C.M. group of six awarded to Lance Corporal R. W. Compton, 1st Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, one of just 68 men of the battalion known to be survivors of the ‘captivity’

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (16140 L. Cpl. W. Compton. 1/O. & B.L.I.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (5241 Pte. R. W. Compton. Oxfd. [L].I.) small loss to unit from edge bruising; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5241 Pte. R. Compton. Oxford L.I.); 1914-15 Star (16140 L. Cpl. W. R. Compton. Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.) note initials; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves ()16140 Cpl. W. R. Compton. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) the Boer War pair with edge bruising and contact marks, good fine, the remainder nearly extremely fine (6) £1,200-£1,600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 12 December 1917.

M.I.D. London Gazette 24 August 1916.

‘The following were recommended by Major-General Townshend for distinguished service during the defence of Kut al Amara, covering the period from the 19th January to the 30th April 1916.’

6 officers and 13 O.R.’s are mentioned including Lance-Corporal R. W. Compton. Five of these men were awarded the D.C.M., including Compton, none of which were gazetted with a citation. (Regimental History refers).

R. W. Compton enlisted in November 1893, and was discharged to pension on 4 June 1913, after 19 years 7 months service. He was recalled from the reserve to serve during the Great War. He was awarded the D.C.M. for his actions during the defence of Kut Al Amara and was subsequently a prisoner of war of the Turks. He is listed as one of the 68 from the 1st Battalion O. & B.L.I. who survived captivity.