Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘India’ M.S.M. group of six to Acting Major W. A. Thackeray, 7th Hussars

British War Medal 1914-20 (540 Sjt., 7-Hrs.); Defence and War Medals; Army L.S.& G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (532872W.O. Cl. 2, 7-Hrs.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (H-540 Sjt., 7/Hrs.); Cadet Forces Medal, G.VI.R. (A/Maj.), mounted as worn, very fine and better (6)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Meritorious Service Medals.

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M.S.M. London Gazette 3 September 1920. ‘H/540 Sjt. Thackaray, W., 7th Hussars (Worcester)’. ‘... in recognition of valuable services rendered in India in connection with the war’.

Walter Alfred Thackeray was born on 15 July 1887 in London. In 1905 he joined the Worcester Battery Royal Field Artillery Volunteers. He entered the Regular Army on 6 May 1907, joining the 7th Hussars at Norwich. Promoted Corporal in June 1911, he was sent to India in October that year. As a Lance-Serjeant he attended the Cavalry School at Saugor in 1912. Promoted Serjeant in August 1914, he served throughout the war in India, being appointed Riding Instructor of the Cadet College at Wellington, India in September 1915 and Squadron Quarter Master Serjeant in the 7th Hussars in August 1920.

For his services in India during the war he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He was appointed Warrant Officer Class II in September 1922 and returned to the U.K. in September 1923; receiving the Army L.S.& G.C. in 1925. Thackeray later served in the reserve of the Somerset Light Infantry, attaining the rank of Honorary Major. He was awarded the Cadet Forces Medal in July 1952.

Sold with original Army Form B199A which details his army service to 1929; an exercise book containing work from his time at the Saugor Cavalry School; Swimming Certificate, dated 15 March 1915 and the Cadet Forces Medal forwarding slip. Also with a large number of photographs of and relating to the recipient.