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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 626

The M.S.M. First World War group awarded to Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant W. G. Hemens, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment, later The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)

British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (2013 Cpl. W. G. Hemens. Midd'x R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal (242934 Pte - A.CQ.M. Sjt: - W. G. Hemens. 5/E. Kent R.), minor traces of lacquer and some polishing, otherwise about very fine (3)

M.S.M. London Gazette 22 September 1919.

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 August 1917.

William Giles Hemens was born on 24 December 1886 and lived at 38 Coningham Road, Shepherd's Bush, London before he enlisted to join the 5th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment on 10 August 1914. On 9 October 1914, Hemens was stationed in India and spent time in Bombay before he was sent to Busra, Syria in Mesopotamia in May 1916, where he spent the remainder of his war. By the end of 1916, the 5th Battalion had seized the right bank of the Hai waterway and by early 1917, had successfully probed Turkish defences, albeit with the cost of 100 casualties. Attacks on the Turkish Line continued throughout 1917 and in October - December, the battalion attacked and cleared the Turks from Jebel Hamrin, a Turkish base, Kara Tepe and Kizil Robat. On 15 August 1917 Hemens was mentioned in dispatches for his gallantry in Mesopotamia. From January - November 1918, the battalion spent their time building camps and railways at Shahroban. During the campaign, the battalion lost 130 men and had 559 wounded.

On 24 August 1918, Hemens was sent back to Bombay. Not long after, Hemens transferred to the Territorial Force and joined the 5th Battalion, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). His new service number was 242984. He was gazetted on 22 September 1919 for his Meritorious Service Medal under his new regiment. He then received a Certificate of Appreciation on 22 February 1921.

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Estimate

Starting price
£110