A Fine Collection of Medals to the South Wales Borderers 86
A Great War ‘Mespotamian theatre’ M.C. group of five awarded to Major W. N. V. Bickford-Smith, 4th (Service) Battalion, South Wales Borderers, who landed with the Battalion at ‘V’ Beach on the Gallipoli Peninsula, 15 July 1915, and was wounded in action during the capture of Damakjelik Bair, 7 August 1915. Having recuperated he returned to serve as Adjutant with the Battalion in Mesopotamia, and was wounded in action during the assault on the Dahra Bend of the Tigris, 15 February 1916
Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. W. N. V. Bickford-Smith. S. Wales Bord.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. W. N. V. Bickford-Smith); Defence Medal, generally good very fine (5)
£1,200-£1,600
M.C. London Gazette 7 February 1918.
William Nugent Vonning Bickford-Smith was the son of R. A. H. Bickford-Smith, barrister and author, and grandson of W. Bickford- Smith, Member of Parliament for Truro. Bickford-Smith was educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge and was a member of the Cambridge University O.T.C. He served during the Great War with the 4th (Service) Battalion, South Wales Borderers, and was one of the officers to land with them at ‘V’ Beach on the Gallipoli Peninsula, 15 July 1915. He took part in the capture of Damakjelik Bair, and was wounded in action during the Battalion’s consolidation of positions, 7 August 1915.
Having advanced to Captain, Bickford-Smith rejoined the Battalion, now in Mesopotamia, 3 May 1916. He served as Adjutant and by the end of May was one of only 3 officers of the Battalion not to be on the sick list - most suffering from Cholera and Dysentery. The Battalion took part in the advance on Kut in December 1916, and he was wounded in action during the assault on the Dahra Bend of the Tigris, 15 February 1916:
‘Advancing in four waves, after fifteen minutes’ intensive bombardment, the battalion and the R.W.F. on its right rapidly mastered the front line, capturing many prisoners and promptly extending their gains on both flanks. The Turks made several counter-attacks but without success, and by midday the assaulting battalions - now reinforced by the Cheshire - had secured a foothold in the second line. Profiting by the 40th Brigade’s success the 35th then attacked from the S.E., catching the Turks on the left flank. This attack was equally successful, hundreds of Turks surrendered, and the 35th Brigade, pushing on, joined up with the 40th. This virtually ended organised resistance in the Dahra Bend; a few Turks still held out in the extreme N.W. corner but were mopped up during the night, and daylight (February 16th) found the right bank of the Tigris from the Shumran Bend downwards clear of Turks. They had fought obstinately, the assailants had required to exert both skill and determination to oust them from their position, and the 4th had good reason to be proud of their share. The last attack had cost them Second Lieutenant G. L. Davies, Regimental Sergeant Major Solomon and 31 other ranks killed, and Captain and Adjutant Bickford-Smith, Lieutenant S. H. Griffiths, Second Lieutenants Usher, Herbert, Hind and Barker and 72 men wounded.’ (Regimental History refers)
Bickford-Smith served with the Battalion for the remainder of the war in Mesopotamia, was demobilised in December 1919, and relinquished his commission having been granted the rank of Major. He served as a Lieutenant with the 7th Surrey (Dorking) Battalion, Home Guard during the Second War.
Sold with the following related items and documents: M.C. Royal Mint case of issue; three named card boxes of issue; 3 original maps including: two for Gallipoli - one of the Anarfarta Saghir area, and the other of the Kurija Dere area, both annotated ‘Lt. W. N. V. Bickford Smith, 4th S. Wales Bdrs, 40th Inf. Brig, XIIIth Div’; and another of the Shumran - Dahra area, Mesopotamia, dated 11 February 1917; several photographic images of recipient in uniform, and copied research.
www.dnw.co.uk all lots are illustrated on our website and are subject to buyers’ premium at 24% (+VAT where applicable)
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212 |
Page 213 |
Page 214 |
Page 215 |
Page 216 |
Page 217 |
Page 218 |
Page 219 |
Page 220 |
Page 221 |
Page 222 |
Page 223 |
Page 224 |
Page 225 |
Page 226 |
Page 227 |
Page 228 |
Page 229 |
Page 230 |
Page 231 |
Page 232 |
Page 233 |
Page 234
