A Collection of Gallantry Awards to the South Wales Borderers (Part II) 658
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain J. C. Owen, 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, who was wounded at the Battle of the Lys, 10 April 1918, and was twice Mentioned in Despatches
MILITARY CROSS, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 STAR (
2.Lieut: J. C. Owen. S. Wales Bord:); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORY MEDALS, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. J. C. Owen.) nearly extremely fine (4)
£800-1200 M.C. London Gazette 14 June 1917.
John Corbett Owen was born in Dolgellau, Merionethshire, on 2 February 1889, and attested for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 5 August 1914. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers on 20 November 1914, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 25 September 1915. Promoted Lieutenant on 1 September 1916, and Captain on 8 November of that year, he commanded “C” Company and was wounded on 10 April 1918 at the battle of the Lys: ‘In April 1918 the 6th Battalion was heavily engaged. The attack of the 25th Division at the battle of the Lys had developed quite early, and under cover of a mist the Germans soon succeeded in breaking through the 75th Brigade, though on its left east of Ploegsteert Wood they were kept at bay. Orders were promptly sent to the 6th Battalion and the Royal Engineers to move to Chapelle Rompue and counter-attack towards Le Touquet. The move was carried out under shell fire, but when Colonel Fitzpatrick pushed forward with “C” Company to reconnoitre he found the situation already restored. Rejoining the main body, eventually the battalion was ordered to attempt to recover Ploegsteert village in co-operation with the 2nd South Lancashires and 9th Cheshires. This started at 8:10 p.m., but at once encountered strong opposition, machine guns away to the right developing an effective and destructive fire. Captains J. C. Owen and D. Jenkins, commanding “C” and “D” Companies respectively, were both wounded.’ (The History of the South Wales Borderers, by Captain C. T. Atkinson refers).
For his gallantry during the Great War he was twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 22 May 1917 and 18 December 1917) and was awarded ‘a well-merited’ Military Cross in the 1916 Birthday Honours’ List.
659
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. attributed to Second Lieutenant J. H. Richards, 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, late Army Veterinary Corps, for his gallantry at Westhoek Ridge in August 1917. He was subsequently mortally wounded at the Battle of the Lys on 14 April 1918, and died of wounds on 19 April 1918
MILITARY CROSS, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in case of issue, extremely fine Provenance: Spink, April 2012.
£400-500
M.C. London Gazette 9 January 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a convoy. He went forward during a hostile counter-attack and reconnoitred the ground to find the best route for the animals through both the barrage and shell-holes, under heavy shell fire, through which he then led them without hesitation, sustaining only a few casualties. He successfully delivered the stores and ammunition which were urgently required. He has on several occasions shown remarkable initiative and great gallantry during similar journeys.’
John Hywel Richards was born in Carmarthen, Wales, the son of the Reverend B. F. Richards, and attested for the Army Veterinary Corps. He served with the A.V.C. during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 October 1915, before receiving a commission in the South Wales Borderers on 4 September 1916. He served with the 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, and was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry at Westhoek Ridge in early August 1917. He was mortally wounded during the Battle of the Lys on 14 April 1918, during the course of which battle the Battalion suffered nearly 400 casualties, and died of wounds on 19 April 1918. He is buried in Aire Communal Cemetery, France.
Sold together with the recipient’s original War Office issued citation. 660
A Great War ‘Western Front’ 1917 M.C. group of three awarded to Lieutenant H. R. Hill, 12th Battalion, South Wales Borderers
MILITARYCROSS, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; BRITISHWAR ANDVICTORYMEDALS (Lieut. H. R. Hill.) mounted as worn, good very fine (3)
£600-800 M.C. London Gazette 17 September 1917.
Harold Reginald Hill was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the South Wales Borderers on 6 May 1915, and served with the 12th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, being awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry on 4 July 1917: ‘On July 4th Second Lieutenant H. R. Hill and E. Edwards and 32 men raided Barrack Trench and Barrack Support. The “Bangalore torpedo” having failed to explode, Second Lieutenant Hill himself cut a gap in the wire and led his men through. Finding the front trench lightly held he pushed on to the second, which was more stoutly defended, forced a way in, and eventually extricated his party after a sharp fight with only two casualties, a heavy loss having been inflicted on the enemy.’ (The History of the South Wales Borderers, by Captain C. T. Atkinson refers).
Hill was promoted Honorary Lieutenant on 15 November 1918.
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