Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Victory Medal 1914-19 (Lieut. W. S. B. Duff.) good very fine £70-£90

William Stewart Bruton Duff was born in Knightsbridge, London, on 6 November 1877. Educated at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, he attested at Exeter for the Imperial Yeomanry on 23 January 1901 and served in South Africa from 26 February 1901, latterly as Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Returning home to Menheniot in Cornwall, Duff was soon embroiled in a much publicised Cornish Election Petition against The Honourable T. C. R. ‘Tommy’ Agar-Robartes, the son of Viscount Clifden and M.P. for Bodmin. Accusing the Liberal Member of ‘illegal and corrupt practices’, Duff’s argument against Agar-Robartes was vindicated when the latter was found guilty of making payments to potential voters.

Noted in the Western Times as serving in the 13th Battalion, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment in the early stages of the Great War, Duff transferred to the 7th (Reserve) Battalion of the Royal Naval Division on 5 October 1915 and soon witnessed service with the Motor Boat Reserve. Sent on a course of instruction at Greenwich, his R.N.V.R. Service Record adds:

‘Unsatisfactory conduct of this officer: Called upon to resign.’

Duly resigning on 27 April 1916, Duff attested at East Sandling for the 43rd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force on 25 October 1916. Appointed Lieutenant, he served in France from 28 October 1916 to 29 January 1917. Sent to the Western Front, his Canadian Service Record notes extensive ill-health, exacerbated by trench fever: ‘Pain was so severe that he was unable to move in bed, very tender to touch over sciatic nerves and back.’

Transferred to Canada in July 1918, Duff gradually regained his health at the Royal Columbian Hospital, his treatment including massage, electric-radio shock and a significant reduction of scotch whisky. Discharged medically unfit in January 1919, he died on 12 October 1936, his last address recorded as ‘The Castle, Seaton.’