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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 437

The well-documented and poignant campaign pair awarded to Private A. L. Powell, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, who was severely wounded to the head and legs at Cambrai on 4 October 1918 - those wounds required the amputation of the left leg at the thigh; the gallant Powell returned to civilian life and had a long career with the National Physical Laboratory at Teddington

British War and Victory Medals (204404 Pte. A. L. Powell. S. Staff. R.); Silver War Badge (B237359), good very fine (2)

Albert Leslie Powell was born at Kingston, Surrey on 3 January 1899 and was educated at Bonner Hill Road Council School, Kingston. With the outbreak of the Great War, he enlisted underage - stating his birth being in 1896 - into the 3/3rd Home Counties Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps (No. 3325). Having joined the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, Powell served overseas and suffered his grave wounds at Cambrai on 4 October 1918.

Those wounds required the left leg to be amputated some 12 inches below the hip on 15 October 1918 and in the following years, he required no less than ten further painful operations to repair and amend the original amputation through to March 1920. He was granted a 100% pension for life from September 1924 but was not one to just idly draw the pension to which he was entitled.

Powell got himself enrolled on an ex-services course at Kingston Technical Institute in 1920-21 and found work at the National Physical Laboratory at Teddington. By June 1934 he would be promoted Grade II Class Clerk in the Accounts Branch and was still working there by 1939. Powell died on 30 January 1961.

Sold together with the following original archive:

(i)
Cap badge and a prize Medal, engraved 'L.P. K.D.S. F.L. Winners 1913', probably 'Leslie Powell. Kingston District Schools. Football League. Winners 1913'.

(ii)
Discharge Certificate, this folded.

(iii)
Letters from the Ministry of Pensions relating to a Severe Wound to the Head and Severe Wound to his Left Thigh (Amputation); Final Award of Pension of 40 Shillings a week, both letters dated 15 March 1924.

(iv)
Letter of Promotion from the National Physical Laboratory, dated 19 June 1934.

(v)
Hand written resume of life events, full details of wounds and medical treatment subsequently. He was wounded at Cambrai on 4 October 1918 with a gunshot wound to both legs and head.

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Sold for
£65

Starting price
£40