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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 426

(x) The campaign pair awarded to Private P. J. Hesselwood, 19th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, a well-known boxer who defeated Sid Godfrey at the Sydney Stadium pre-war but was tragically killed by sniper fire in 1917

British War and Victory Medals (6330 Pte. P.J. Hesselwood. 19-Bn A.I.F), in original boxes of issue, extremely fine (2)

Percy James Hesselwood was born at West Ham, London in 1896, and worked as an engine driver with the Ammonia Works, Clyde, New South Wales. Percy enlisted on 30 October 1916 and was assigned to the 19th Battalion of South Granville, New South Wales at the age of 21. At that time, he was married to Florence Beatrice Gregory, a violin teacher, who he married on the eve of his departure for France with the Battalion.

Hesselwood had only been in New South Wales for four years when he enlisted. He was also a boxer of some note having fought and defeated Sid Godfrey at the Sydney Stadium, and on a trip back to England he won an all-comers' boxing contest amongst the troops for lightweights, the first prize being £5. Hesselwood embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT 'Suevic' on the 11 November 1916. He was killed in action by sniper fire at Daisy Wood near Passchendaele, Belgium on 9 October 1917 while attempting to clear the road of German snipers.

He has no known grave and is remembered with honour on the Ypres 40 (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. In the last letter received by his wife which was dated the 27 September, he stated that he was resting for a short period and was otherwise in the best of health. Hesselwood's wife Florence subsequently remarried Frederick C. Hoskins in 1923; sold together with copied service papers including witness statements from fellow servicemen concerning his death.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate

Starting price
£60