News
Wilnecote soldier's Military Medal for bravery in WW1 trenches to feature in Tamworth auction
May 22nd, 2024
Wilnecote soldier's Military Medal for bravery in WW1 trenches to feature in Tamworth auction
A MILITARY Medal won by a Wilnecote soldier for his bravery in the trenches at Ypres during the First World War goes under the hammer in Tamworth later this month.Richard Winterton Auctioneers’ next sale at The Tamworth Auction Rooms takes place on Wednesday, May 29,starting at 9.30am.
It features 417 lots including medals and militaria, vintage toys, Airfix model aircraft, a selection of boxed die-cast vehicles and a large collection of boxed trains.
The catalogue is available to view online now via our Auction Dates page.
Lot 403: The WW1 trio and Military Medal of Private Walter Nixon.
Lot 403 is the Military Medal, correctly named to R6454 Private W Nixon 7/KRRC, and his World War One 1914-1915 trio of medals.
Walter Nixon was born in 1894 in the small Warwickshire village of Baxterley.
He won his Military Medal for bravery in the trenches at Ypres on December 6 1915 and the ‘gallant and meritorious conduct’ is confirmed on a card signed by his commanding officer on December 24 1915.
The card is included in the lot, which also features Pte Nixon’s European War 1914-1918 Wilnecote tribute medal named to W Nixon – these were issued to residents of that area by the inhabitants of Wilnecote, and Mr Nixon is recorded as living there on the 1921 census.
Private Nixon's ‘gallant and meritorious conduct’ is confirmed on a card signed by his commanding officer on December 24 1915.
Also included with this group of medals is a WW2 1939-1945 medal, a further small silver medal, a photograph, a postcard and a 1821 silver crown.
Mr Nixon had three brothers who served in the First World War. It is unclear whether the photograph, pictured top of page, which is included in the lot features Mr Nixon or any of his brothers.
“This group is guided at £300 to £400 and is well worthy of further research,” said military specialist Jeff Clark.
Lot 403 also features Pte Nixon’s Wilnecote tribute medal.
Another highlight of the sale is Lot 386, a Crimea medal with two clasps for Inkermann and Alma named to S Denning of the 50th Regiment.
“The 50th Regiment Of Foot was raised in 1787 and served in various campaigns until 1881 when it merged with the Duke of Cambridge’s own Middlesex Regiment,” added Mr Clark.
The Crimea medal is guided £120 to £150.
Lot 386: A Crimea medal with two clasps for Inkermann and Alma.
Lot 362, guided £60 to £80, is a wooden box containing two sets of Second World War medals plus cap badges, formation patches and other military ephemera.
“This lot includes four WW2 medals that are mounted for wearing, a boxed set of three WW2 medals complete with entitlement slip, a pair of 7th Armoured Division formation patches, a Northamptonshire Yeomanry cloth shoulder title, various cap badges including Wiltshire Regiment, two Tank Regiment badges, a Worcestershire Regiment badge, pair of collar badges and three different books about the Worcestershire regiment,” said Mr Clark.
“There is also a rolled-up copy of a map showing the movements of the 79th Armoured Division.”
Lot 129: Six boxed Matchbox Superfast die-cast models.
View the catalogue online now via our Auction Dates page. Viewing in person at The Tamworth Auction Rooms takes place on Tuesday, May 28, by appointment from 10am to 4pm.
The sale at the Church Street auction house starts at 9.30am. To book an appointment for a free valuation at Tamworth, telephone 01827 217746 or email tamworth@richardwinterton.co.uk.
Free home visits for large collections, appointments for free valuations of all types of items and free house clearance quotations can be arranged by telephoning 01543 251081 or emailing office@richardwinterton.co.uk.