The Collection of Medals to the Wiltshire Regiment formed by the late Michael Hayward

A Great War M.M. group of four awarded to Private S. J. Skuse, 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, who was sentenced to death for desertion

Military Medal, G.V.R. (21332 Pte., 2/Wilts. R.);1914-15 Star (21332 Pte., Wilts. R.); British War and Victory Medals (21332 Pte., Wilts. R.) contact marks, some edge bruising, nearly very fine (4) £1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to the Wiltshire Regiment formed by the late Michael Hayward.

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M.M. London Gazette 20 August 1919. The recipient came from Ashton Keynes.

With copied m.i.c. which shows that Private Sidney J. Skuse, Wiltshire Regiment, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 8 December 1915. The same document bears the comment, ‘Convicted of Desertion 18.10.16. Sentenced to Death. Commuted to 10 Yrs. P.S. Sentence suspended for gallantry 12.5.17.’ It further states he was later transferred to Class ‘Z’ Reserve.

A entry in Death Sentences passed by military courts of the British Army 1914-1924, by Gerard Oram, lists ‘S. J. Skuse’ but lists him as a member of the 19th Battalion Manchester Regiment, who was sentenced to death for cowardice on 13 November 1916; the sentence being commuted to 10 years penal servitude.

In response to a letter from the group’s owner, Oram explains that Skuse’s entry in the court martial register follows on from a number of men from the Manchester Regiment and that it was likely that the clerk entered the details of Skuse’s regiment incorrectly.

With copied m.i.c., letter and a paper cutting announcing the peaceful death of Sidney Skuse on 3 September 1996.