A CLASSIC "OLD CONTEMPTIBLE" QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL Group of Four


CAPE COLONY,
ORANGE FREE STATE
TRANSVAAL
SOUTH AFRICA 1902

& 1914 Star & Bar Trio "EARLY CASUALTY"
To:
6581. Pte G.COWLEY. 1st DEVONSHIRE REGIMENT
KILLED-IN-ACTION at GIVENCHY on 25th October 1914.

[BIOGRAPHY]
George Cowley was born in Exeter in 1882 the son of James Cowley. He enlisted into the 1st Devons in about March 1901 in Exeter at age 19. With thirteen years continuous service in the regiment he was a classic "Old Contemptible" regular soldier and he is seen landing in France with the B.E.F. on 27th August 1914.

[THE WAR DIARY FOR 25th OCTOBER 1914]
The war diary for this period records much German shelling and regular losses of Devon men in the front line positions at GIVENCHY. For the day of the death of George Cowley the diary records two officers killed, five other ranks killed , fourteen wounded, and one man missing. Died from wounds three and four more to hospital.

THE DEVONS IN FRANCE
George Cowley was killed in action at GIVENCHY on 25th October 1914 after just short of eight weeks in the field.




He has no known grave and is commemorated with eternal honour on the Le Touret Memorial Panel 8 & 9.




This is a wonderful and early Old Contemptible's casualty group which fully represents the sad situation in France in late 1914 where the original pre-war regulars of the B.E.F. fell in their thousands.

The medals are uncleaned and are in superb "Mint State" condition with original ribbons.

Also included are confirming medal rolls for QSA & M.I.C. war diary ( superbly clear & hand written ) for 20th - 27th October 1914 and various papers from CWG for WW1.

£795.00