978
A Collection of Medals to the South Wales Borderers
Description
British War Medal 1914-20 (9860 A. Sjt. W. Pargeter. S. Wales Bord.) with named card box of issue in original registered envelope; together with Record Office enclosure, nearly extremely fine £60-£80
---
William Pargeter was born in Stourbridge, Worcester in 1887, and attested for the South Wales Borderers at Brecon in 1908. Following the outbreak of the Great War Parkes was present with the 2nd Battalion stationed at China where they formed part of the international garrison at Tientsin.
In September 1914 the Battalion, supported by half a Battalion of the 36th Sikhs, joined their Japanese allies in an expedition against the German occupied territory of Kiaochow and its port of Tsingtao. On 23 September the battalion’s embarkation of 22 officers and 910 men landed at Lao Shan Bay about forty miles N.E of Tsingtao and began the difficult trek to the well fortified main German settlement on Kiaochau Bay which was the object of the expeditionary force. Casualties were generally light although the extremely arduous conditions and bad weather caused them great discomfort. The nights of 5 and 6 November, however, brought the battalion heavier casualties, including Pargeter, who was wounded.
Brigadier-General Nathaniel Barnardiston, Commanding Tsingtau Expeditionary Force gave the following details in his third Despatch:
‘On the 5th November I was ordered to prepare a Third Position of attack on the left bank of the river. This line was to a great extent enfiladed on both flanks by No. 1 and 2 redoubts, especially the latter from which annoying machine-gun fire was experienced. The bed of the river (a small stream running over a broad bed of sand) had also to be crossed, and in doing so the working parties of the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers suffered somewhat severely, losing 8 non-commissioned officers and men killed and 24 wounded.’
The siege was soon brought to a successful conclusion with the assistance of an assault by Japanese forces present and the white flag went up on 7 November 1914 giving the Regiment the unique distinction of a battle honour held by no other British Regiment. The Battalion’s losses overall had been just 14 men killed or died of wounds or disease and 2 officers and 34 men wounded.
Pargeter subsequently transferred to the 1st Battalion, and served with them on the Western Front. He was killed in action at Passchendaele on 10 November 1917, a day of heavy casualties for the battalion during the attack on the Goudberg Spur:
‘The men went into action after an exhausting march, the ground was as difficult to consolidate as it was to cross, adequate artillery support had been hard to assure… Zero was at 5:00 a.m. (November 10th) and for an hour before that a barrage was put down on and just behind the German front line. But the difficulties against which the artillery had to contend in that sea of featureless mud almost surpassed those of the infantry; it was hardly wonderful if the barrage was irregular, so that our own men ran into it when the advance started. This caused several casualties… On the right the men got forward better, establishing a post close to Vocation Farm and obtaining touch with the Canadians, while D Company dug in near Virtue Farm. Vox Farm, however, they could not reach, so heavy was the machine gun fire and sniping. Before long, too, hostile counter-attacks developed.’ (The History of the South Wales Borderers 1914-18 by C. T. Atkinson refers).
The attempt was ultimately unsuccessful and extremely costly, resulting in 372 casualties among the battalion’s men, well over two-thirds of those who took part. Pargeter was amongst those killed. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Sold with copied Medal Index Card and other research.
---
William Pargeter was born in Stourbridge, Worcester in 1887, and attested for the South Wales Borderers at Brecon in 1908. Following the outbreak of the Great War Parkes was present with the 2nd Battalion stationed at China where they formed part of the international garrison at Tientsin.
In September 1914 the Battalion, supported by half a Battalion of the 36th Sikhs, joined their Japanese allies in an expedition against the German occupied territory of Kiaochow and its port of Tsingtao. On 23 September the battalion’s embarkation of 22 officers and 910 men landed at Lao Shan Bay about forty miles N.E of Tsingtao and began the difficult trek to the well fortified main German settlement on Kiaochau Bay which was the object of the expeditionary force. Casualties were generally light although the extremely arduous conditions and bad weather caused them great discomfort. The nights of 5 and 6 November, however, brought the battalion heavier casualties, including Pargeter, who was wounded.
Brigadier-General Nathaniel Barnardiston, Commanding Tsingtau Expeditionary Force gave the following details in his third Despatch:
‘On the 5th November I was ordered to prepare a Third Position of attack on the left bank of the river. This line was to a great extent enfiladed on both flanks by No. 1 and 2 redoubts, especially the latter from which annoying machine-gun fire was experienced. The bed of the river (a small stream running over a broad bed of sand) had also to be crossed, and in doing so the working parties of the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers suffered somewhat severely, losing 8 non-commissioned officers and men killed and 24 wounded.’
The siege was soon brought to a successful conclusion with the assistance of an assault by Japanese forces present and the white flag went up on 7 November 1914 giving the Regiment the unique distinction of a battle honour held by no other British Regiment. The Battalion’s losses overall had been just 14 men killed or died of wounds or disease and 2 officers and 34 men wounded.
Pargeter subsequently transferred to the 1st Battalion, and served with them on the Western Front. He was killed in action at Passchendaele on 10 November 1917, a day of heavy casualties for the battalion during the attack on the Goudberg Spur:
‘The men went into action after an exhausting march, the ground was as difficult to consolidate as it was to cross, adequate artillery support had been hard to assure… Zero was at 5:00 a.m. (November 10th) and for an hour before that a barrage was put down on and just behind the German front line. But the difficulties against which the artillery had to contend in that sea of featureless mud almost surpassed those of the infantry; it was hardly wonderful if the barrage was irregular, so that our own men ran into it when the advance started. This caused several casualties… On the right the men got forward better, establishing a post close to Vocation Farm and obtaining touch with the Canadians, while D Company dug in near Virtue Farm. Vox Farm, however, they could not reach, so heavy was the machine gun fire and sniping. Before long, too, hostile counter-attacks developed.’ (The History of the South Wales Borderers 1914-18 by C. T. Atkinson refers).
The attempt was ultimately unsuccessful and extremely costly, resulting in 372 casualties among the battalion’s men, well over two-thirds of those who took part. Pargeter was amongst those killed. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Sold with copied Medal Index Card and other research.
In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's website
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
British War Medal 1914-20 (9860 A. Sjt. W. Pargeter. S. Wales Bord.) with named card box of issue in original registered envelope; together with Record Office enclosure, nearly extremely fine £60-£80
---
William Pargeter was born in Stourbridge, Worcester in 1887, and attested for the South Wales Borderers at Brecon in 1908. Following the outbreak of the Great War Parkes was present with the 2nd Battalion stationed at China where they formed part of the international garrison at Tientsin.
In September 1914 the Battalion, supported by half a Battalion of the 36th Sikhs, joined their Japanese allies in an expedition against the German occupied territory of Kiaochow and its port of Tsingtao. On 23 September the battalion’s embarkation of 22 officers and 910 men landed at Lao Shan Bay about forty miles N.E of Tsingtao and began the difficult trek to the well fortified main German settlement on Kiaochau Bay which was the object of the expeditionary force. Casualties were generally light although the extremely arduous conditions and bad weather caused them great discomfort. The nights of 5 and 6 November, however, brought the battalion heavier casualties, including Pargeter, who was wounded.
Brigadier-General Nathaniel Barnardiston, Commanding Tsingtau Expeditionary Force gave the following details in his third Despatch:
‘On the 5th November I was ordered to prepare a Third Position of attack on the left bank of the river. This line was to a great extent enfiladed on both flanks by No. 1 and 2 redoubts, especially the latter from which annoying machine-gun fire was experienced. The bed of the river (a small stream running over a broad bed of sand) had also to be crossed, and in doing so the working parties of the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers suffered somewhat severely, losing 8 non-commissioned officers and men killed and 24 wounded.’
The siege was soon brought to a successful conclusion with the assistance of an assault by Japanese forces present and the white flag went up on 7 November 1914 giving the Regiment the unique distinction of a battle honour held by no other British Regiment. The Battalion’s losses overall had been just 14 men killed or died of wounds or disease and 2 officers and 34 men wounded.
Pargeter subsequently transferred to the 1st Battalion, and served with them on the Western Front. He was killed in action at Passchendaele on 10 November 1917, a day of heavy casualties for the battalion during the attack on the Goudberg Spur:
‘The men went into action after an exhausting march, the ground was as difficult to consolidate as it was to cross, adequate artillery support had been hard to assure… Zero was at 5:00 a.m. (November 10th) and for an hour before that a barrage was put down on and just behind the German front line. But the difficulties against which the artillery had to contend in that sea of featureless mud almost surpassed those of the infantry; it was hardly wonderful if the barrage was irregular, so that our own men ran into it when the advance started. This caused several casualties… On the right the men got forward better, establishing a post close to Vocation Farm and obtaining touch with the Canadians, while D Company dug in near Virtue Farm. Vox Farm, however, they could not reach, so heavy was the machine gun fire and sniping. Before long, too, hostile counter-attacks developed.’ (The History of the South Wales Borderers 1914-18 by C. T. Atkinson refers).
The attempt was ultimately unsuccessful and extremely costly, resulting in 372 casualties among the battalion’s men, well over two-thirds of those who took part. Pargeter was amongst those killed. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Sold with copied Medal Index Card and other research.
---
William Pargeter was born in Stourbridge, Worcester in 1887, and attested for the South Wales Borderers at Brecon in 1908. Following the outbreak of the Great War Parkes was present with the 2nd Battalion stationed at China where they formed part of the international garrison at Tientsin.
In September 1914 the Battalion, supported by half a Battalion of the 36th Sikhs, joined their Japanese allies in an expedition against the German occupied territory of Kiaochow and its port of Tsingtao. On 23 September the battalion’s embarkation of 22 officers and 910 men landed at Lao Shan Bay about forty miles N.E of Tsingtao and began the difficult trek to the well fortified main German settlement on Kiaochau Bay which was the object of the expeditionary force. Casualties were generally light although the extremely arduous conditions and bad weather caused them great discomfort. The nights of 5 and 6 November, however, brought the battalion heavier casualties, including Pargeter, who was wounded.
Brigadier-General Nathaniel Barnardiston, Commanding Tsingtau Expeditionary Force gave the following details in his third Despatch:
‘On the 5th November I was ordered to prepare a Third Position of attack on the left bank of the river. This line was to a great extent enfiladed on both flanks by No. 1 and 2 redoubts, especially the latter from which annoying machine-gun fire was experienced. The bed of the river (a small stream running over a broad bed of sand) had also to be crossed, and in doing so the working parties of the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers suffered somewhat severely, losing 8 non-commissioned officers and men killed and 24 wounded.’
The siege was soon brought to a successful conclusion with the assistance of an assault by Japanese forces present and the white flag went up on 7 November 1914 giving the Regiment the unique distinction of a battle honour held by no other British Regiment. The Battalion’s losses overall had been just 14 men killed or died of wounds or disease and 2 officers and 34 men wounded.
Pargeter subsequently transferred to the 1st Battalion, and served with them on the Western Front. He was killed in action at Passchendaele on 10 November 1917, a day of heavy casualties for the battalion during the attack on the Goudberg Spur:
‘The men went into action after an exhausting march, the ground was as difficult to consolidate as it was to cross, adequate artillery support had been hard to assure… Zero was at 5:00 a.m. (November 10th) and for an hour before that a barrage was put down on and just behind the German front line. But the difficulties against which the artillery had to contend in that sea of featureless mud almost surpassed those of the infantry; it was hardly wonderful if the barrage was irregular, so that our own men ran into it when the advance started. This caused several casualties… On the right the men got forward better, establishing a post close to Vocation Farm and obtaining touch with the Canadians, while D Company dug in near Virtue Farm. Vox Farm, however, they could not reach, so heavy was the machine gun fire and sniping. Before long, too, hostile counter-attacks developed.’ (The History of the South Wales Borderers 1914-18 by C. T. Atkinson refers).
The attempt was ultimately unsuccessful and extremely costly, resulting in 372 casualties among the battalion’s men, well over two-thirds of those who took part. Pargeter was amongst those killed. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Sold with copied Medal Index Card and other research.
In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's website
Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Sale Date(s)
Venue Address
16 Bolton St
London
W1J 8BQ
United Kingdom
General delivery information available from the auctioneer
If you are successful in purchasing lot/s being auctioned by us and opt for the item/s to be sent to you, we will use the following methods of shipment:
Within the UK
If you live within the UK, items will be despatched using Royal Mail Special Delivery. This service provides parcel tracking (via the Royal Mail website) and next weekday delivery (betwen 9am and 1pm). Items delivered within the UK are covered by our insurance company. Heavy and bulky lots will be sent by courier, in discussion with the client.
Outside of the UK
If the item/s being sent are worth under £1000 in total they are sent using Royal Mail’s Signed For International service. This ensures the item must be signed for when it is delivered.
If the item/s being sent are valued at over £1000 in total they will be sent using FedEx. This service allows next day delivery to customers in many parts of the US and parcels are fully trackable using the FedEx website.
Shipping Exceptions
Certain lots such as those containing glass or sharp implements, etc., may not be suitable for in-house shipping within or outside of the UK. Please contact Noonans with any queries.
Important Information
Buyers Premium: 20%
Other Information: Please visit www.dnw.co.uk for more information
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL BUYERS
All lots in DNW auctions are automatically reserved at the bid step which reflects 80% of the lower estimate figure, unless otherwise instructed by the vendor.
All multiple lots (lots containing two or more items) with the exception of designated sets of notes, are sold as viewed and not subject to return. Buyers are recommended to view such lots.
Lots marked ‘x’ in dark blue are subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the EU.
Important Notice Advance Bidding Facility
Please note that our easy-to-use advance bidding facility, which replaces the ‘old-fashioned’ commission bid system, provides all bidders with total control over their bids right up to the point that the lot is offered for sale.
Bids made online cannot be seen by others and do not go live until the actual moment that the lot in question is being offered for sale. All bids can be easily altered or cancelled by the bidder prior to this point. An automated confirmatory email will be sent confirming all bids and alterations.
Anyone with a valid email address can easily register to bid online.
There is no additional charge for online bidding and it is not necessary to pre-register a payment card in order to do so.
It is recommended that all bidders execute their own bids, either prior to the auction by using this facility or live as the auction is taking place.
Whilst we are still happy to execute all bids submitted in writing or by phone, fax or any other method, it should be noted that all bids left with us will be entered at our offices using the same bidding facility to which all our clients now have access. There is, therefore, no better way of ensuring the accuracy of your advance bids than to place them yourself online.
For any support queries please contact: Ian Anderson ian@dnw.co.uk (+44) 20 7016 1751
