The David Laban Collection of Territorial Force War Medal Groups

A Great War ‘St. Julien 1917’ M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant H. O. Wilderspin, 2/4th (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers), London Regiment, who was later commissioned into the Yorkshire Regiment and served in the Second World War with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps

Military Medal, G.V.R. (2955248 Sjt. H. O. Wilderspin. 2/4 Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (295248 Sjt. H. O. Wilderspin. 4-Lond. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (295248 Sjt. H. O. Wilderspin. 4-Lond. R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, very fine and better (6) £500-£700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The David Laban Collection of Territorial Force War Medal Groups.

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M.M. London Gazette 12 December 1917.
The original Recommendation, signed by Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. S. Dann, 2/4th Battalion, London Regiment, states: ‘Operations at St. Julien 20 September 1917. This N.C.O. was in charge of a Platoon, He was wounded whilst on the Assembly tapes, but carried on and moved forward, leading his Platoon. He was again wounded but still pushed on, consolidating a position over the ridge beyond Winnipeg Farm, during which operation he was wounded a third time. The wonderful courage and endurance displayed by this N.C.O. inspired all ranks.’

Harry Oliver Wilderspin attested for the 4h Battalion, London Regiment, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front, before being commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, on 4 February 1919. Relinquishing his commission, he was re-commissioned Second Lieutenant in the East Yorkshire Regiment on 16 July 1940, and transferred to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, to be War Substantive Lieutenant (Administration Branch) on 18 August 1941.

Sold with original carbon copy regimental recommendation for the award of the M.M., this fragile with tear to fold and old sticky tape stain, and a rare surviving fighting citation for the award of the Military Medal during the Great War.