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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 493

Three: Private W. C. Lofthouse, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, whose first experience of standing night watch on the North-West Frontier was recorded in the Regimental Journal

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (4026577 Pte., K.S.L.I.); Coronation 1937 (Pte., 1st K.S.L.I., No.4026577); Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (4026577 Pte., K.S.L.I.), mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (3)

Wilfred Charles Lofthouse was born at Mortlake, London and attested at Whitehall on 12 September 1919 for service with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Posted to India he was present for an expedition against the Afridis in 1930, the K.S.L.I. Regimental Journal for December 1930 refers:

'On October 17th we moved one here, a short march of only six miles. Our first night in camo provided an "incident." At about 10-30 p.m. L/Cpl. 74 Davies and Pte. Lofthouse had observed figures moving close to the perimeter, and each had fired a shot. In the morning a thick trail of blood was found running for about 50 yards from the spot. "B" Company of course swore that they had drawn the first Afridi blood, but "D" (M.G.) who were their neighbours along the wall, connected the yelping of some dogs with the incident. No corpse was ever discovered, and the true explanation is still to be found.'

Continuing to serve the journal records the award of his Coronation medal in India in 1937 and the presentation of his L.S. & G.C. in 1938 by Brigadier Chope at a Church Parade; sold together with copied research and Regimental Journal cuttings.

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Sold for
£160

Starting price
£80