A fine Great War Territorial's M.B.E., M.M. group of eight awarded to Major Albert T. Sheldon, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, M.B.E. (Military) 2nd type; MILITARY MEDAL, G.V.R. (1146 Sjt., 1/5 R. War. R. T.F.); 1914-15 STAR TRIO, M.I.D. (1146 Sjt., R. War. R.); DEFENCE MEDAL; CORONATION 1937; TERRITORIAL DECORATION, G.V.R., this not hallmarked but apparently an official issue, together with Church Lads Brigade shooting medal in silver (Cpl., Bishop Ryders 1909), and four silver football prize medals, all named and variously dated 1921-25, very fine and better (13)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the late Mike Minton.

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M.M., London Gazette, 11 November, 1916

The lot is sold with a quantity of research including a number of original photographs. The following was extracted from a Birmingham newspaper under the heading 'Private to Second in Command':
‘To have risen from the rank of private to that of second in command of his battalion is the distinction of Major A.T. Sheldon. He joined up at Thorp Street in 1908, was promoted Lance Corporal the following year, Corporal in 1910, and Sergeant in 1911. On the outbreak of war in 1914 he mobilised with the unit crossing to France on May 25th 1915. He was mentioned in despatches for work during a raid on enemy trenches on March 23rd 1916, and as a result of bravery in the field in June 1916 was awarded the Military Medal. Following a second mention he was granted a commission early in 1917, and joined the 3rd battalion Royal Warwickshire Regt. at Parkhurst, Isle of White in May 1917. After attending various courses of instruction, he qualified in signalling, physical training, bayonet fighting and gas, but his chief interest was in signalling and communication and, he became in succession, signalling officer at Fort Southwark and Brigade Signalling Officer Dover Garrison. Some interesting work with the Royal Air Force on contact patrol following before he was posted to the 1st battalion Royal Warwickshire Regt., with temporary rank of Captain in August 1919. On the reformation of the Territorial Army after the war he applied for a commission in the 5th battalion, but was too late so he joined the ranks of his old unit as a Private. His promotion was rapid in the extreme and he was; - Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant, Company Quarter-Master Seargeant and Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant all within the space of two months. He was offered a captaincy in another Territorial battalion, but decided to wait for the first vacancy in the 5th. His chance came in November 1920, when he was commissioned with the rank of Lieutenant. In July 1921 he was promoted Captain and he attained his Majority in February 1930. With the retirement of Colonel L.J.A. Gay, he became second in command to Lieut. Colonel Ward Walker.