Brightwells Fine Art Auctioneers will offer an important single owner collection of Gallantry and Campaign Medals to the Battalions of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry in their 13thOctober Sporting and Militaria Sale.
The collection, from a deceased estate, was created by an enthusiast of the K.S.L.I. who had gradually built up the collection from his Telford home over many years.
 The collection's earliest medal: |
It includes 100 individual lots containing three Punjab Medals, eight Indian Mutiny Medals, eight Afghanistan Medals (1878-1880), six Egypt Medals (1882-89), twelve Queens South Africa Medals (1899-1902), thirty six groups of medals awarded during World War One, three India General Service Medals (1908-35), five Korea Medals (1950-53), and five Africa General Service Medals (1902-1956), among many others.
The earliest medal from the collection is a Military General Service Medal (1793-1814) awarded to Captain Joseph Nicholson of the 53rd Foot Regiment, with clasps for Talavera, Busaco and Salamanca.
Captain Nicholson joined the regiment on 11th August 1808, became a Lieutenant on the 9th August 1810 and a Captain on 15th March 1821.
In 1845 he was transferred to depot on the Isle of Wright as paymaster for the 84th York and Lancaster Regiment, and retired on half pay on 13th August 1847.
Other highlights include a Military Cross and three other medals (Star, British War and Victory Medals) awarded to Captain George Frederick Jones. The reverse of the Cross is inscribed '2nd Lieut. G.F. Jones, Zonnebeke Sept. 26th 1917', and the M.C. citation from the 6th April 1918 issue of the London Gazette reads:
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his company during an attack after the company commander had been killed. He showed most skilful leadership in capturing a number of enemy posts and in holding his position against a determined counter-attack, when the troops on the left fell back.
He was killed in action on the 28th March 1918, and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.
A Distinguished Conduct Medal along with three other medals (1914 Star, British War and Victory Medals) awarded to Private W Bridgwater is also included. The D.C.M. citation from 2nd December 1919 reads:
'During the attack near Montbrehain, on 8th October, 1918, he, with fine courage and determination rushed an enemy machine-gun post, bayoneting one enemy and stunning another with the butt-end of his rifle. The remainder of the post were then taken prisoners. This most gallant act was the means of saving many casualties, and enabled the advance to be continued successfully.'
Brightwells' Sporting Items and Militaria Sale will be held on Wednesday, October 13, in the UK.
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