Four: Acting Sergeant W. Rowcliffe, Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry

Four: Acting Sergeant W. Rowcliffe, Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry

British War and Victory Medals (2985 A. Sjt. W. Rowcliffe. R. 1-Devon. Yeo.); Defence Medal; Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (1202 L. Sjt. W. Rowcliffe. R. 1/Devon: Yeo:) mounted for wear, light contact marks, very fine 

Provenance

Dix Noonan Webb, September 2004.

Footnote

William Rowcliffe was born in Tiverton, Devon in 1884 and was educated at Heathfield School, Tiverton. A Butcher by trade he enlisted in the Royal 1st Devon Imperial Yeomanry circa 1902 and was awarded his Territorial Force Efficiency Medal in January 1914. At sometime discharged he re-enlisted in the 2/1st Royal Devon Yeomanry on 6 September 1915 with the rank of Acting Sergeant and new number 2985. Embarking for Egypt he joined the Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry at Gara for Canal Zone duties before advancing into Gaza and Palestine. The Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry and the Royal North Devon Hussars formed 16th (Devon Yeomanry) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment on 21 December 1916; continuing their advance into Palestine they took part in the Second Battle of Gaza on 16 April 1917 and it was during this action that Sergeant Rowcliffe received gunshot wounds to his head and shoulder resulting in the loss of his eye. Evacuated home he received treatment at Dunston Hill After Care Home, Dunston on Tyne before being granted a 50% disability pension for life on 9 June 1920. He died at Holcombe Regus, Tiverton on 20 March 1958, aged 73. His involvement in the Second World War to qualify him for the Defence Medal has not been traced.

Sold with copied research.