The Bernard Harris Collection of Medals to the 1st Regiment, South African Infantry

A Great War ‘Egyptian Theatre’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant J. Hilson, 1st Regiment, South African Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 12 October 1916

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2179 Sgt. J. C. Hilson. 1st. S.A.I.); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals, with small M.I.D. oak leaves (Sjt. J. C. Hilson. 1st S.A.I.); Memorial Plaque (John Clarke Hilson) glue residue to the reverse of all, lightly polished, good very fine (4) £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bernard Harris Collection of Medals to the 1st Regiment, South African Infantry.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 22 September 1916:
‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He displayed great coolness under heavy fire and did fine work throughout the operations.’

John Clarke Hilson was born in Airdrie, Scotland, around 1877, the husband of Lucy Helena Hilson of Renfrew Street, Cambridge, East London. Listed as a customs officer with former service in the B.S.A. Police, Kaffrarian Rifles and Eastern Rifles, he attested for the South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 25 August 1915 and was sent to England. Embarked at Devonport per H.M.T. Saxonia 29 December 1915, he disembarked at Alexandria 12 January 1916 and was sent to Mersa Matruh. Transferred to the harbourside town of Sollum, he was Mentioned in Despatches by the Commander in Chief (Egyptian Operations) on 16 March 1916 and was awarded the D.C.M. for conspicuous gallantry during the campaign.

Posted to France in April 1916, Hilson was taken on strength of the 2nd Regiment and sent to the Western Front. Reported as wounded in action 21 July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, his service record notes a gunshot wound to the right arm and evacuation to the King George Hospital on Stamford Street, Waterloo, London. He was subsequently discharged after 8 days of medical attention and was soon back fighting alongside his comrades, but was killed in action during heavy fighting for control of the Butte de Warlencourt - a 60 foot high hill with commanding views near the town of Bapaume in the Pas de Calais department of Northern France. Initially buried near where he fell in no man’s land, his body was later exhumed by the G.R.U. and transferred to Warlencourt New British Cemetery.

Sold with corresponding miniature dress medals, copied service record and private research, including a photocopied image of the recipient in military uniform.