A Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment

The G.S.M. awarded to Acting Corporal V. Mayers, 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment, killed in action, battle of Hillah, 24 July 1920

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (89065 A. Cpl. V. Mayers, Manch. R.) extremely fine £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment.

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As part of the campaign against Arab insurgents in Iraq in the Kifi - Kufa area on the Euphrates south of Baghdad, a column was despatched. The column commanded by Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel R. N. Hardcastle, D.S.O., Manchester Regiment, consisted of three companies of the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment; two squadrons of the 35th Scinde Horse; two sections of the 39th Battery Royal Field Artillery; one company of the 1/32nd Sikh Pioneers; and one section of the 24th Combined Field Ambulance. On 24 July 1920 whilst in the process of preparing a camp for the evening, a large number of insurgents were reported to be approaching. Misled over the actual numbers advancing, an ill-advised decision was made to retreat. The column headed towards Hillah but in a confused night action, the column became disordered and in many places chaos ensued. Elsewhere men fought bravely and and several decorations were won, including a posthumous V.C. awarded to Captain George Stuart Henderson, D.S.O., M.C. & Bar, 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment.

Vincent Mayers was born in Lever Bridge, Bolton, Lancashire in March 1899, the son of Samuel Alfred and Mary Alice Mayers. On 15 June 1915 he enlisted as a Drummer into the 20th (4th Salford) Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers claiming to be 18 years of age. His true age being discovered he was discharged on 31 December 1915. Undeterred, he later enlisted into the Manchester Regiment as Private 57262, served overseas and earned the British War and Victory Medals. On 13 August 1919 he was discharged to the Reserve but re-enlisted immediately into the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment as Private 89065. His occupation was stated to be Electrician. With the battalion he served in Iraq and as an Acting Corporal was killed in action with Arab insurgents at Hillah, 24 July 1920. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Basra Memorial. With copied research.