Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

1914 Star (8321 Pte. W. Griffiths. R. Ir: Regt.) scratching to reverse, very fine £100-£140

William Griffiths was born at Aberawon on 2 August 1884 and attested for the Royal Irish Regiment. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914. The Battalion ‘moved forward on 23 August and took part in fighting on the outskirts of Mons. Heavily engaged around the cemetery before falling back to Nouvelles. Casualties - Captains Mellor, Forbes, Second Lieutenants Gibbons and Shine killed or mortally wounded, 16 other ranks killed, 5 officers, 58 other ranks recorded as wounded or missing, Major Long and 226 other ranks missing, 1 officer taken prisoner.’ (British Battalion in France and Belgium 1914 by Ray Westlake refers).

Griffiths was amongst those captured and taken Prisoner of War during the retreat from Mons on 24 August 1914, and was held in captivity for the rest of the War.

Sold with copied Medal Index Card and Prisoner of War roll extract.