A Collection of Medals to the South Wales Borderers

Three: Sergeant W. Dawson, 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, who was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field on 15 May 1916 at the Crosbie Craters near Berthonval, later in 1918 having his right leg amputated

1914-15 Star (17229 Cpl. W. Dawson. S. Wales Bord:); British War and Victory Medals (17229 Pte. W. Dawson. S. Wales Bord.) good very fine (3) £120-£160

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the South Wales Borderers.

View
Collection

M.M. London Gazette 8 August 1916.

William Dawson attested for the South Wales Borderers on 1 September 1914 and served with the 6th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 24 September 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal for his actions on the night of 15 May 1916 when the 6th Battalion made an attack following up the detonation of mines under the German lines. The regimental history details the action:
‘The first notable episode was the explosion of five mines under the German front line in the Berthonval sector on the evening of May 15th. Much damage was done and several big craters formed (These were the group known as the Crosbie Craters), which the Germans kept under heavy artillery fire. C and D companies went forward promptly, nonetheless and started consolidating the craters. Second Lieutenant W. G. Edwards directed the work magnificently, standing up on the lip of a crater, setting a splendid example of devotion and gallantry. He was admirably supported by Second Lieutenants Marshall and Renwick, the former carrying on though wounded and encouraging the men by his courage and endurance… Despite the violence of the shelling the two companies stuck to their work and completed their task, their casualties, a bare dozen, being surprisingly low, though the three officers mentioned were all wounded, Second Lieutenant Edwards very severely… Second Lieutenants Edwards and Marshall received the M.C., while the M.M. was awarded to Sergeants Dawson, Ellaway, J. T. Jones, Thomas, and Private Yates.’ (The History of the South Wales Borderers 1914-18 by C. T. Atkinson refers).

Dawson was admitted to No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station on 16 January 1918 with gunshot wounds to his right leg, necessitating amputation. He was awarded a Silver War Badge.

Sold with copied Medal Index Card and other research.