Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Lieutenant-Colonel H. M. Williams, Buckinghamshire Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. H. M. Williams.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (Lt. Col. H. M. Williams. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Jubilee 1897, silver (Capt. H. M. Williams. 1st Bucks. R.V.); Coronation 1911, unnamed; Territorial Decoration, E.VII.R., hallmarks for London 1905, complete with brooch bar, this with pin removed for mounting, the Jubilee medal with contact marks, nearly very fine, otherwise nearly extremely fine (6) £400-£500

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

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M.I.D. London Gazette 4 January 1917.

Lieutenant-Colonel H.M. Williams, V.D., commanded the 2/1st Bucks Battalion in France until 31 July 1916, when he handed over to Major G. Christie-Miller. During the period of nearly two years in which he commanded the Battalion, Colonel Williams had won the respect and esteem of all under his command. His long connection with the Bucks Batt. had given him a thorough understanding of the citizen soldier, his business ability enabled him to deal successfully with the administrative side of military subjects, as shown by the high standard of efficiency attained by the Battalion in training and the way in which he handles it in action. During the whole of the 7-hour bombardment on the 19th [July], he was in the front line setting an example to his men of coolness under fire and had personally superintended the reorganisation of the Battalion after the attack. He had full confidence in his officers and they equally had the fullest confidence in him. His services were recognised later by M.I.D. and he was appointed Town Commandant of Arras; and in the German retreat of 1918, he became area commandant of Douai. Colonel Williams died in 1928.