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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 56

The Boer War and Great War group of eight awarded to Lieutenant Colonel W. C. Symon, Ministry of Munitions, late Royal Field Artillery, who was additionally awarded a C.M.G. for his Great War service and was 'mentioned' in both the Boer War and Great War

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (Capt. W. C. Symon, R.F.A).; King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Capt: W. C. Symon, R.F.A.); 1914 Star with Mons clasp (Major W. C. Symon. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt.Col. W. C. Symon.); Coronation 1911; France, Legion of Honour, Officer's breast Badge, in silver-gilt and enamel; Belgium, Order of the Crown, Officer's breast Badge, in silver and enamel, mounted as worn, enamel damage to the last two otherwise good very fine overall (8)

[C.M.G.] London Gazette 24 January 1917.

M.I.D. London Gazette 10 September 1901; 25 January 1917.

France, Legion of Honour, London Gazette 7 June 1919.

Belgium, Order of the Crown, London Gazette 29 November 1918.

Walter Conover Symon was born in the United States of America in 1874. He was made Second Lieutenant 1 March 1893 and shortly after this was to suffer from a Burglary on 24 July 1893 reported as follows:

JOHN KING (23) , Burglary in the dwelling-house of Walter Symon, and stealing therein a clock, two pairs of boots, and other articles.
MR. TORR Prosecuted.

HENRY RUTHERFORD (Detective R). On 20th June, between half-past nine and ten a. m., I saw the prisoner in Green End, Woolwich, about ten minutes' walk from the Royal Artillery Barracks-he was carrying this clock wrapped up underneath his coat-I said, "What have you got under your coat?"-he said, "A clock; I picked it up on the common at one this morning"-I took him to the station and made inquiries, and found that Mr. Symon's place had been broken into that night-the prisoner was charged at the station, and he said, "I picked it up on the common at one o'clock this morning"-these spurs were on the boots found at the "back of a lodging-house in Rope Yard Rails-he gave me his address at a common lodging-house-I made inquiry there; he had not been at home all night.

WALTER SYMON . I am a lieutenant in the Royal Artillery, quartered at Woolwich Barracks-I occupy a room on the ground floor-on 20th June I went to bed at 12. 30-I shut my door; it was not locked; anyone could walk in by turning the handle-I heard nothing in the night-early next morning my servant came, and I missed these articles, which had been safe when I went to bed.

Prisoners Defence. I found, the things; I never committed the robbery.
GUILTY of receiving. - Six Months' Hard Labour.

He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 March 1896 and was to see lengthy service in the Second Boer War. Symon served in South Africa during the Second Boer War and was involved in Operations in the Orange Free State between February - May 1900 including Operations at Paardeberg, actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Karee Sifing, Houtnek (Thoba Mountain), Vet River (5/6 May) and Zand River.


He was further involved in Operations in the Transvaal between May - June 1900 including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill. With further Operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria between July to 29 November 1900. Operations in the Orange River Colony, including actions at Bethlehem and Wittebergen. Operations in Orange River Colony, 30 November to December 1900 and March 1901 - 31 May 1902. Operations in Cape Colony from December 1900 to March 1901. Symon was 'mentioned' for his service in South Africa on 10 September 1901. He stayed in service and is confirmed on the roll for the Coronation 1911 medal under the heading "Slough & Windsor" (letter from the Privy Purse Office confirms). He remained in service and was still serving at the start of the Great War and entered the war in France on 1 November 1914 serving as a Major still with the Royal Artillery, he was later attached to the Ministry of Munitions reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel he received a C.M.G. for his Great War service. His Great War medals were sent to him at 52 Hans Mansions, Hans Road, London SW3. Symon died on 15 February 1949 and is buried in the Brompton Cemetery along with his wife who died on 12 August 1967.

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Estimate
£700 to £1,000

Starting price
£550