A WW1 Mesopotamia M.I.D. & M.S.M. Medal Group to 242934 Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant W. G. Hemens, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment, later The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) (1562)
A WW1 Mesopotamia M.I.D. & M.S.M. Medal Group to 242934 Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant W. G. Hemens, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment, later The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) (1562)
William Giles Hemens was born on 24 December 1886 and lived at 38 Coningham Road, Shepherd's Bush, London before he enlisted to join the 5th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment on 10 August 1914.
On 9 October 1914, Hemens was stationed in India and spent time in Bombay before he was sent to Busra, Syria in Mesopotamia in May 1916, and at some point, he transfered to the 5th Battalion The Buffs. Looking at copies of his water/fire damaged service records, it appears that he transfered on the 11 November 1916, and he was appointed paid acting Corporal 15 September 1918. His M.I.D. was Gazetted on 15 August 1917, to the East Kent Regiment.
By the end of 1916, the 5th Battalion had seized the right bank of the Hai waterway and by early 1917, had successfully probed Turkish defences, albeit with the cost of 100 casualties. Attacks on the Turkish Line continued throughout 1917 and in October - December, the battalion attacked and cleared the Turks from Jebel Hamrin, a Turkish base, Kara Tepe and Kizil Robat.
On 15 August 1917 Hemens was mentioned in dispatches for his gallantry in Mesopotamia. From January - November 1918, the battalion spent their time building camps and railways at Shahroban. During the campaign, the battalion lost 130 men and had 559 wounded.
On 24 August 1918, Hemens was sent back to Bombay. Not long after he was Gazetted on 22 September 1919 for his Meritorious Service Medal. He then received a Certificate of Appreciation on 22 February 1921 for his service with the 5th Battalion, The Buffs.
The 5th Battalion the Buffs, received 28 M.S.M.’s (20 for Mesopotamia) and only 10 M.I.D & M.S.M. combinations to the Regiment during WW1.
The medals are mounted for display, sold with copied research confirming all of the above and the medals are to the same man & his full entitlement, and are as follows –
British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves, 2013 CPL. W. G. HEMENS. MIDD’X R.; Army Meritorious Service Medal, 242934 PTE - A.CQ.M. SJT: - W. G. HEMENS. 5/E. KENT R.
M.S.M. London Gazette 22 September 1919 - 5th Bn East Kent Regiment
M.I.D. London Gazette 15 August 1917 - East Kent Regiment
Condition, minor traces of lacquer and some polishing, otherwise about very fine