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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 305

The Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque to Lieutenant & Quartermaster W. E. Upton, 19th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), who died at home on 5 March 1916

Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (William Edwin Upton), in card case of issue, extremely fine

William Edwin Upton was born in 1865 and had pre-war service in the ranks and saw service in Malta between 29 September 1904-13 September 1905 returning to the United Kingdom on completion. In 1905 he extended his service whilst still a Sergeant and was promoted to Colour Sergeant and posted to the Permanent Staff of the Royal Alderney Artillery & Engineers. He was discharged at Alderney on 25 February 1907, having served 22 years and 90 days, as a result of the reduction of the Establishment of the Royal Engineers. With the outbreak of the Great War he was made temporary Quartermaster with the honorary rank of Lieutenant on 29 August 1914, serving with the 19th (Reserve) Battalion Sherwood Foresters. Upton did not see any service overseas and was found dead at his billet on 5 March 1916 as a result of natural causes. Upton was the son of the late Edwin and Emma Upton, of Halesworth, Suffolk and husband of Jane Ann Upton. He was buried in Norwich Cemetery, Norfolk.

Harrogate's Tribute to Dead Officer

The remains of Lieutenant-Quartermaster W. E. Upton, 19th Sherwood Foresters, who died suddenly on Sunday, from syncope, from his billet, the Somerset Hotel, for internment at Norwich, this afternoon. The coffin covered with the Union Jack, upon which was placed the deceased's accoutrements, was placed in a hearse, and accompanied to the station by a large detachment of the 19th Sherwood Foresters, headed by the band of the 28th Northumberland Fusiliers. The procession of the carriage to the station was witnessed by a large concourse of people.

Yorkshire Evening Post, 7 March 1916.

AN OFFICER WHO WAS UNFIT FOR STRAIN OF SERVICE

'At an inquest held at Harrogate on Lieutenant Quartermaster W. E. Upton (51), Sherwood Foresters, who was found dead in his billet, the Somerset Hotel, on Sunday morning, it was stated that five weeks ago he was granted a month's sick leave owing to nervous debility. Upon his return he was again examined by the medical board and passed for home service only.

Mr Wallter Upton, of Ripon, said his brother belonged to Norwich, and while there on leave was advised by his civil doctor not to return to duty.

Major Rowan, the officer temporarily commanding the regiment, said that an officer might not wish to leave the service, and probably the deceased did not communicate the advice of his civil doctor to the board.The jury found that death was due to natural causes, as a result of syncope.'

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Estimate

Starting price
£70