Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A well documented Great War ‘Western Front, April 1917’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant (later 2nd Lieutenant) W. J. England, 1st South African Infantry

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (3558 Sjt: W. J. England. 1/S.A. Inf:); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (2nd Lt. W. J. England.) mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (3) £800-£1,000

D.C.M. London Gazette 26 July 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He displayed great courage and resource in dealing with an attempt to cut off his platoon by the enemy. His great coolness set a splendid example throughout.’

The citation as shown on the accompanying Regimental Testimony of Gallantry certificate states:
‘This N.C.O. displayed great resource and initiative in dealing with an attempt by the enemy E. of Fampoux to isolate his platoon & by quickly reorganising all the rifles in his vicinity, successfully smashed the movement. He bore himself throughout the operations of 12th April 1917 with great coolness & set a fine example to his men (Awarded D.C.M. - B.R.O. 24/5/17).’ The certificate dated 15 January 1918 and signed by the Commanding Officer of 1st South African Infantry.

On 12 April 1917, the South African Brigade formed up to advance from the village of Fampoux towards the German chemical works at Roeux. An attempt to capture these works the previous day had been made by the 2nd Seaforths and the Royal Irish Fusiliers but both Battalions had been decimated. When the South Africans began their advance, the promised British bombardment did not arrive and the Germans did not miss the opportunity to cause heavy casualties within yards of of the advance beginning. British guns finally began a creeping barrage which was so fast that it was useless to the struggling advancing men and when the men eventually reached the German front line the barrage had missed it and the enemy line was intact. The attack was a total failure and the South African Brigade was virtually wiped out, only being able to participate in minor operations for the remainder of the war.

William John England was born in Manchester, England, and attested for the 1st South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 30 August 1915, aged 29, giving his sister, Daisy, as his next of kin, living at Paarl, Cape Province. He proceeded to England for training from October 1915 and first served in Egypt from 12 January 1916, before proceeding to France where he served from 21 April 1916 to 9 February 1918. England was granted a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st South African Infantry on 2 November 1918, and returned to the front in France on 8 November 1918. He was released from service on 23 July 1919, and returned to his home at Sea Point, Cape Town.

Sold with original large Regimental Testimony of Gallantry certificate with hand-written citation; Commission document as 2nd Lieutenant in South African Infantry, in O.H.M.S. envelope addressed to him at Sea Point; named card boxes of issue for campaign medals; 1924 South African Passport with photographs of himself and his wife; portrait photograph in uniform with collar dogs marked ‘C38’; a group photograph taken after training in England; metal identity disc; Driving Licence dated March 1939; together with two miscellaneous Citizens of Cape Town booklets and copied research including full record of service.