LIEUTENANT COLONEL

WILLIAM JOHN ENGLISH VC

(6^th October 1882 to 4^th July 1941)

A NOTE ON HIS MILITARY CAREER

Prepared by:

David H. Cronne – April 2002

With additional information and editing by:

Gavin Bamford – 9^th October 2003

7^th edition – Internet version - © Gavin Bamford, 2003 & 2004

gavinbamford@nireland.com

Commemoration Day

The Ulster History Circle (www.ulsterhistory.co.uk) will be unveiling a ‘blue circle’ commemorating Lt Col W J English VC at his former home, 16 Kings Road, Belfast on Thursday, 24 June 2004 at 19:30 hrs. Further details may be found on the UHC website.

Lt Col W J English VC served in 3 major wars – South Africa War (1899 to 1902), 1^st World War and the 2^nd World War. He won his Victoria Cross, in his 19^th year whilst serving in the South Africa War (1899 to 1902). Following his 1^st World War service and peace time service afterwards, English VC retired to a delightful area of East Belfast – 10 (now 16) Kings Road, Knock, Belfast. In 1941, English VC died at sea, near Egypt. He is buried in the Maala Cemetery in Aden.

Gavin Bamford,

12 North Circular Road,

Lisburn,

Co. Antrim

Northern Ireland

BT28 3AH Telephone number: +44 [0] 28 9267 2119

E-mail gavinbamford@nireland.com.

Table of Contents

Commemoration Day

Parents

Service in the South Africa War

Service in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays)

Service in the Army Service Corps prior to 1st World War

Service in the ASC / RASC (*) during the 1st World War

Service in the RASC after the 1st World War

Afternoon Garden Party at Buckingham Palace

Service in the Royal Indian Army Service Corps

Retirement

Service In The Royal Ulster Rifles in the 2nd World War

Obituary

The immediate family of W J English VC

Appendix A – Major William English OBE

Appendix B – The Formation, Operation and Disbandment of the 2nd Scottish Horse in the South Africa War

Appendix C – Lieutenant Colonel William John English VC – Medal Group

Appendix D – Service of W J English VC in the ASC prior to the 1st World War

Appendix E – Service of W J English VC in the ASC / RASC during the 1st World War

Appendix F – Service of W J English VC in the RASC after the 1st World War

Appendix G – Retirement of W J English VC to Knock, Belfast

Appendix H – Known Memorials To W J English, VC

Appendix I – Photographs

Appendix J – Notes on Editions

Appendix K - Addendum to the Note on the Military Career of Lt Col W J English VC

Appendix L - Links

Return to top

Parents

William John English, son of Major William English OBE and Marian English was born on 6^th October 1882 (according to Army Lists) in Cork, Ireland. His father was a Quarter Master in the Army Service Corps (ASC). A brief outline of his service from 1895 to 1917 (based on extracts from ASC Journals) is given in Appendix A attached to this note.

W J English was educated at Folkestone Grammar School (also known as Harvey Grammar School) from 1894 to 1898 and at Campbell College, Belfast from September 1898 to July 1899.

Sometime after leaving Campbell College he joined the Merchant Navy. The name of the Shipping Line and the date of joining this service are not known.

References:

• The Harveian, December 1906 (Harvey Grammar School Magazine);
• The Campbell College Register, 1894 to 1999.

Return to top

Service in the South Africa War

(1899 to 1902)

In November 1900, W J English left the Merchant Service in South Africa and joined the Scottish Horse on the 25^th of that month. He served 112 days in the ranks of this Regiment. On 17^th March 1901 he was granted a Commission as a Lieutenant in the new Regiment, the 2^nd Scottish Horse, which was formed in that month.

The formation, operation and disbandment of this Regiment is briefly covered in Appendix B to this note.

On 3^rd July 1901, the 2^nd Scottish Horse, as part of No 3 Mobile Column, was engaged in the pursuit of some Boers with their cattle in the Vlakfontein region of the Eastern Transvaal. Colonel Benson, the Commanding Officer of No 3 Mobile Column, on being informed that there was a very large herd of cattle being moved in the direction of Roodekranz, decided to postpone the pursuit until the next day (4^th July) and ordered a retirement to camp. During this operation Major Murray (Commanding Officer of the 2^nd Scottish Horse) and Captain Lindsay (the Adjutant) with 25 officers and men of F Squadron became isolated and were subjected to a very heavy attack by a party of 60 Boers for three quarters of an hour. They were reinforced by E Squadron in the nick of time and the Boers were forced to withdraw. In this engagement Lieutenant English distinguished himself by holding the right of the position at Elandskloof.

The day after the above action, Major Murray wrote to Colonel Benson recommending Lieutenant English for the award of the Victoria Cross (VC) for his personal pluck at Elandskloof. Colonel Benson, Brigadier General Spens and Lieutenant General Sir Bindon Blood all endorsed this recommendation. It was then sent to Army Headquarters, South Africa, and the Commander in Chief, Lord Kitchener, forwarded it together with the recommendations for two other Victoria Cross awards (to an Australian Lieutenant in the Mounted Infantry and a Farrier Sergeant-Major in the 4^th New Zealand Regiment) to the Under Secretary of State for War for consideration. After an exchange of correspondence between Sir Ian Hamilton and Field Marshall Lord Roberts, the award of the three Victoria Crosses was finally granted.

The award of the VC to Lieutenant W J English appeared in the London Gazette of 4^th October 1901 and the citation was as follows:

“William John English, Lieutenant, Scottish Horse.

This officer, with five men, was holding the right of the position at Vlakfontein on the 3^rd July 1901 during an attack by the Boers. Two of his men were killed and two wounded but the position was still held largely owing to Lieutenant English’s personal pluck. When the ammunition ran short he went over to the next party and obtained more; to do this he had to cross some 15 yards of open ground under a heavy fire at a range of from 20 to 30 yards.”

Based on the date of birth of 6^th October 1882 (in the Army Lists) Lieutenant English was awarded his Victoria Cross while still in his 19^th year and was the youngest individual to receive it in the South Africa War (1899 to 1902). In fact of the 1,350 VC’s awarded to date, the number of recipients under the age of 19 years is less than 30. Lieutenant English was the 503^rd person to receive the award. Also, of the 78 recipients of the VC in the South Africa War, only three (including English) saw service in both the 1^st and 2^nd World Wars.

Lieutenant W J English was released from military service on 31^st May 1902, the date on which the surrender document was signed at Vereeniging. His commissioned service in the 2^nd Scottish Horse amounted to 1 year 76 days. Taken with the 112 days service in the ranks, his total service in the South Africa War (1899 – 1902) was 1 year 188 days.

Lieutenant English was decorated with his VC by HRH The Prince of Wales (the future King George V) at the inspection of the Colonial Contingents at the Horse Guards’ Parade on 1^st July 1902. The details of Lieutenant English’s Victoria Cross and the Queen’s South Africa Medal (11^th October 1899 to 31^st May 1902) are given in Appendix C to this note. He was also awarded the King Edward VII Coronation 1902 Medal (in silver).

References:

• 1922 and 1927 Gradation Lists;
• MOD Defence Records 2b Service Record of Lieutenant Colonel W J English VC;
• Victoria Cross file (Boer War) for Lieutenant W J English (Public Record Office Reference W032-7464);
• Note compiled by Canon W M Lummis;
• Vlakfontein Farm in the Boer War 1899 – 1902 (Chapter VI by Major J D Harris). The British Measures March 1901 to May 1902 Part II. Events near Vlakfontein Farm July 1901.

Return to top

Service in the 2^nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays)

6^th April 1905 to 16^th October 1906

Except for the Inspection of the Colonial Contingents at the Horse Guards’ Parade in London on 1^st July 1902, nothing is known of W J English’s career in the period of 2 years 309 days between 1^st June 1902 and 5^th April 1905.

W J English VC enlisted in South Africa as Private 6464 into the Dragoons of the Line, Regular Army on 6^th April 1905 and was posted to the 2^nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays) on the same date. He was appointed to Lance Corporal on 7^th October 1905 and was discharged on 16^th October 1906 to be 2^nd Lieutenant on 17^th October 1906 in the Army Service Corps (London Gazette 16^th October 1906). English’s service in the 2^nd Dragoon Guards amounted to a total of 1 year 194 days in the ranks. No further information on English’s service in this Regiment could be traced.

References:

• 1922 and 1927 Gradation Lists;
• MOD Defence Records 2b Service Record of Lieutenant Colonel W J English VC;
• Note compiled by Canon W M Lummis.

Return to top

Service in the Army Service Corps prior to 1^st World War

17^th October 1906 to 4^th August 1914

W J English VC was granted a Commission as P/13060 into the Army Service Corps as a 2^nd Lieutenant in South Africa on 17^th October 1906. He returned to the UK in October / November 1906 and after home leave he was sent to Woolwich for training followed by a course of instruction at Aldershot.

His first posting was for General Duty in Dublin. This was a posting of short duration which lasted only four months. He was next posted for General Duty to South Africa and was away from the UK for 4⅔ years. After his return and home leave, he was posted for duty to Portsmouth. This was his last posting before the 1^st World War. His total service up to the 1^st World War amounted to 7 years 293 days.

He was promoted to Substantive Lieutenant on 27^th October 1907.

Appendix D to this note refers to this period of service.

Reference:

• MOD Defence Records 2b Service Record of Lieutenant Colonel W J English VC.

Return to top

Service in the ASC / RASC (*) during the 1^st World War

(*) Royal Army Service Corps

5^th August 1914 to 11^th November 1918

W J English VC embarked for France on 5^th August 1914 and served in France and Belgium from 5^th August to 6^th December 1914. On this latter date he returned to the United Kingdom and after 13 days leave (from 6^th to 18^th December 1914) he remained on UK postings from 19^th December 1914 to 30^th September 1915. He embarked for France on the latter date and continued to serve in France and Belgium up to the Armistice on 11^th November 1918 and into 1919.

He was promoted to Captain on 5^th August 1914 and appointed a Temporary Major on 30^th November 1914 (to 30^th September 1920).

Appendix E to this note refers to his 1^st World War service.

Medals:

• 1914 Star (with ribbon bar 5^th August to 22^nd November 1914);
• War Medal 1914 to 1920;
• Allied Victory Medal 1914 to 1918.

References:

• 1927 Gradation List
• MOD Defence Records 2b Service Record of Lieutenant Colonel W J English VC

Return to top

Service in the RASC after the 1^st World War

12^th November 1918 to 27^th November 1927

W J English VC continued to serve in France and Belgium from the end of the 1^st World War until 30^th September 1919 when he returned to the UK for home leave and posting. He remained in the UK until he embarked for Sierra Leone on 22^nd March 1922. He arrived back in the UK on 29^th April 1923. There is a gap of 169 days between arriving home and his posting to Northern Ireland District on 15^th October 1923.

He embarked for Germany on 23^rd December 1924 for service with the Army of the Rhine. It appears from the MOD Defence Records 2b Service Record that the posting to Germany continued up to the time he transferred to the Royal Indian Army Service Corps.

He reverted to Substantive Captain on 30^th September 1920.

He was promoted to Substantive Major on 26^th November 1924.

Appendix F to this note refers to his service after the 1^st World War.

Medals:

• French Order Merite Agricole 4^th Class.

References:

• 1923 and 1925 Army Lists;
• MOD Defence Records 2b Service Record of Lieutenant Colonel W J English VC;

Return to top

Afternoon Garden Party at Buckingham Palace

26^th June 1920

King George V gave an Afternoon Party at Buckingham Palace on 26^th June 1920 to recipients of the Victoria Cross. His Majesty was accompanied by The Queen and Members of the Royal Family.

The Victoria Cross Recipients assembled at Wellington Barracks, and marched to the Garden of the Palace via Birdcage walk, Horse Guards Parade and The Mall preceded by the Band of the Welsh Guards. The King inspected the VC Recipients, who afterwards filed past His Majesty, and had the honour of being presented to The King and Queen.

Captain William English VC, RASC was present at the Party. It is not known if any of his relatives were also present.

Return to top

Service in the Royal Indian Army Service Corps

28^th November 1927 to December 1930

W J English transferred to the Royal Indian Army Service Corps and embarked for India on 28^th November 1927. On 27^th December 1927 he was posted to No 12 Motor Transport Company. He served in India until be retired in December 1930.

References:

• MOD Defence Records 2b Service Record of Lieutenant Colonel W J English VC;
• Note compiled by Canon W M Lummis;
• 1928 Gradation List;

Return to top

Retirement

December 1930 to August 1939

W J English retired in December 1930. In retirement, he resided at Kings Road, Knock in Belfast. Before the 2^nd World War he was the organiser in Northern Ireland for the National Association for Employment of Regular Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen. He received the King George VI Coronation 1937 Medal. This was the first reign in which the Coronation Medal of the Sovereign was awarded automatically to holders of the Victoria Gross.

Appendix G to this note refers to his residential address in Knock, Belfast.

References:

• MOD Defence Records 2b Service Record of Lieutenant Colonel W J English VC;
• Note compiled by Canon W M Lummis.

Return to top

Service In The Royal Ulster Rifles in the 2^nd World War

29^th August 1939 to 4^th July 1941

In August 1939 a Group of the National Defence Corps was formed in Northern Ireland under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W J English VC (Service No 19834). Recruiting started on 30^th August 1939 and by the end of September 541 other ranks were on the strength of the Group. As soon as the men were clothed, guard duties at vulnerable points and depots were taken over from regular troops. On 1^st November 1939 the Group became the 6^th Battalion, The Royal Ulster Rifles. Despite wastage and postings to other units the strength of this Battalion reached a peak of 1,059 all ranks in August 1940. The strength fluctuated almost daily and it was down to 864 all ranks by the end of 1940.

On 24^th April 1941 W J English relinquished the command of the 6^th Battalion in order to take up an appointment in the Middle East (nature of which is unknown).

W J English died at sea (in his 59^th year) on 4^th July 1941, only 71 days after the relinquishment of his command and was buried in the Maala Cemetery in Aden. In the circumstances, it looks very much as if he was still en route for his destination when he died. The cause of death was ‘cerebral haemorrhage’.

It will be noted that W J English’s Medal Group (Appendix C) contains the 1939 to 45 Star and the Africa Star. These were issued officially and are listed in the MOD Defence Records 2b Service Record of Lieutenant Colonel W J English VC. No doubt the fact that his service was curtailed by death was the qualifying factor in this award. In view of this he must have entered the Middle East operational zone. Apparently he was ‘OC Troops’ on board the ship transporting him to the Middle East.

Medals:

• 1939 to 45 Star
• Africa Star
• 1939 to 45 War Medal

References:

• Regimented History Royal Ulster Rifles by Charles Graves, Volume III, Chapter XIV (pages 191 and 192);
• MOD Defence Records 2b Service Record of W J English VC;
• Note compiled by Canon W M Lummis.
• Death Certificate – Return of Officers Killed in Action or who have died while on Service Abroad between 3^rd September 1939 and 30^th June 1948 inclusive.

Obituaries:

• The Times, Friday 11^th July 1941;
• RASC Journal, October 1941.

Return to top

Obituary

The Campbellian

Vol. X (December 1941)

pp. 96-98

Introductory note says that he was OC (Officer Commanding) 200th TAA Group, NDC (National Defence Companies), subsequently named 6th (HD - presumably Home Defence) Battalion, RUR.

*****

We regret to have to record the death of Lt Col W J English VC, which took place off the East Coast of Africa under the following circumstances: Against medical advice he was OC of a troopship taking men to the Middle East. While off the West Coast of Africa the ship was attacked by a dive-bomber and received a certain amount of damage which, among other things, wrecked his cabin and brought on shell-shock. They landed at Durban for a few days and again the doctors urged him to abandon the trip owing to the state of his health. He ignored the advice and died at sea some days later. He was buried at Aden. To his wife, whom many Campbellians remember as Molly Pyper, daughter of the late Mr. William Pyper, member of the staff at Campbell College (1895-1917), and his family we offer respectful sympathy.

******

An appreciation sent in by Major T M Morton of 6th (HD) Battalion RUR:

In Sept 1939 the Territorial Army Association in Northern Ireland were ordered by the War Office to raise a Group of National Defence Companies. Being president of the Old Contemptibles' Association in NI, Major W J English VC was selected to raise and command this new formation. I was selected as his adjutant and was in a position to know the marvelous work Lt Col English performed.

Old Contemptibles and old soldiers of all sorts flocked to join the colours again - Bill English as their idol. A few quiet words to a delinquent from him were sufficient to make even the toughest old sweats toe the line. The trouble was that we were not allowed to recruit more than a small proportion of the men who were so anxious to enlist; we were short of numbers to man the guards which were found at various places in NI, and the resultant arduous duties in the winter of 1939-40 were a sore trial to the men.

Here again Lt Col English was really wonderful in the way he cheered the men along and struggled with higher authority to be allowed to enlist more old soldiers so as to ease the lot of those already so very short of sleep and rest. He was indefatigable in arranging for all the comfort he could get for his troops, his motto being "The men first, the officers next, and myself last".

In November 1939, the old NDC's were changed into the Home Defence Battalions, our local group becoming 6th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, with Lt Col English remaining in command. Recruiting was again opened and Lt Col English managed the change over to a Battalion organisation smoothly and without a hitch. He built up this battalion to establishment strength in his own quiet, efficient way, no fireworks, no 'playing to the gallery'. Under him the battalion carried out valuable duties until in April 1941 the War Office ordered that his battalion be handed over to a younger officer.

This was a real blow to the officers and men who loved him and respected him so much. Lt Col English was offered a military post which he refused to accept as he knew it would mean the retirement of an old friend. He elected to go off East as OC Troopship, although he had been advised medically that it would be most dangerous for him to go to a hot climate.

Those of us who saw him go were greatly impressed with his light-hearted good humour, just as though he were going off to a pleasant holiday. Then, a few weeks and we heard the news that we should see him no more; his medical adviser had been right.

I am entirely unworthy to even try to express in words the noble character of Lt Col W J English VC. He commenced his military career with a deed which won him one of the finest VCs in military annals and ended his career going to meet his death rather than hurt a friend.

Return to top

The immediate family of W J English VC

W J English had two sisters and a younger brother, Henry Cecil. This brother also attended Campbell College, Belfast, from May 1897 to November 1899. He became the Chief Engineer of the Victoria Falls and Transvaal Power Company. He died in 1943.

W J English married twice. His first wife was May Dunne. She died in 1918. There were two sons by this marriage:

William Frederick Malcolm was born on 10^th July 1908. He attended Campbell College, Belfast from January 1919 to June 1925. He went out to Johannesburg University, South Africa. He died at the early age of 25 years on 5^th August 1933.

Denis Ormonde was born on 28^th February 1915. He attended Campbell College, Belfast from 5^th September 1924 to December 1931. He was an architect and a member of ARIBA. He died in his 80^th year on 5^th June 1994. Denis married Gwen Malcomson who was the sister of Edith Bamford (Neé Malcomson). Gavin Bamford (compiler) is Edith’s son.

In 1922 W J English married Mary Isabel Pyper, the daughter of William Pyper who was Master of Elocution and English at Campbell College, Belfast from 1895 to 1917. William Pyper died on 8^th January 1920.

There was a son and a daughter by this marriage:

Patrick John was born on 16^th November 1922. He attended Campbell College, Belfast from September 1936 to December 1940. He served during the 2^nd World War in India and Burma (XIV Army) as a Captain in The Royal Signals. He was Mentioned in Despatches and died in August 1973.

Barbara was born in 1926. She married Ronald McAnuff. Surviving daughter.

Reference:

• The Campbell College Register, 1894 to 1999

Return to top

Appendix A – Major William English OBE

Extracts from Army Service Corps Journals

The ASC Journal of January 1895 states that Lieutenant W English, Quarter Master will take over charge of Barracks at Shorncliffe. He was still at Shorncliffe in April 1899 and presumably remained there until he departed for South Africa later in that year.

W English embarked with other ASC personnel at Southampton on the Union Steamship ‘Gaul’ on 16^th September 1899 for passage to Natal.

At the beginning of 1900, W English was one of the Railway Staff at Cape Town. He was graded as a Staff Lieutenant while acting as Assistant to Railway Staff Officer, South Africa (vide London Gazette of 24^th July 1900).

Lieutenant English, Quarter Master was graded as Staff Captain while Auditor of Accounts – Military Railways – from 25^th May 1900 (ASC Journal, February 1901).

The ASC Journal of April 1902 states that Lieutenant & Quarter Master English ASC had returned from Johannesburg where he had been making arrangements for establishing a Railway Transport Office similar to the one in Cape Town.

The March 1903 ASC Journal states: “The services of Lieutenant W English, Quarter Master, South Africa, have been placed temporarily at the disposal of the Civil Administration of the Transvaal”.

The April 1904 ASC Journal records the fact that Lieutenant and Quarter Master W English, who had been seconded for service under the Transvaal Government, had returned to the Corps and had been posted to South Africa for duty.

The January 1905 ASC Journal states: “Lieutenant and Quarter Master, W English on completion of 10 years Commissioned Service has been granted the honorary rank of Captain (vide London Gazette 13^th December 1904).”

Captain & Quarter Master W English, retired pay, late Army Service Corps, was re-employed on barrack duties at Bordon (ASC Journal March 1906).

The ASC Journal for November / December 1917 reported the fact that Quarter Master and Hon Captain, ret pay, W English, late Army Service Corps, to be Hon Major 1^st July 1917.

Return to top

War Service and Awards

The following details are taken from War Services – Retired List:

ENGLISH, Hon Capt W (Quarter Master) – served in the Soudan, 1888. Took part in the action of Gamaizah on 20^th December. Awarded the Egyptian Medal (1882 to 1889) with one bar ‘Gamaizah’.

Served in the South Africa War, 1899 to 1902. He took part in the operations in Cape Colony from 30^th November 1899 to 31^st May 1902 and was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal (1899 to 1902) with one bar (Cape Colony) and the King’s South Africa Medal (1901 to 1902) with two bars (South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902).

Major William English RASC was appointed to be an Officer of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services rendered in connection with the war (1914 to 1918). This appointment appeared in the King’s 1919 Birthday Honours List (12^th Supplement of Tuesday, 3^rd June 1919 to the London Gazette of Friday, 30^th May 1919) for services rendered in connection with the war. There is no indication as to the nature of these services in the case of W English or in the case of scores of officers appointed to be Knights, Commanders, Officers, etc of the order.

Return to top

Appendix B – The Formation, Operation and Disbandment of the 2^nd Scottish Horse in the South Africa War

(1899 to 1902)

In January 1901, Lord Tullibardine wished to extend the scope of recruitment for the Scottish Horse and accordingly with Lord Kitchener’s permission he contacted the Highland Society of London and the Caledonian Society of Melbourne for recruits.

On 8^th March 1901, 250 men from the State of Victoria arrived in Cape Town. These Australians formed the nucleus of the New Regiment – 2^nd Scottish Horse. Recruitment was also taking place in Scotland from February and ‘drafts’ were sent out to South Africa.

In March, Lord Tullibardine appointed Major Frederick Dymoke Murray of The Black Watch as Commanding Officer and Captain Michael Lindsay of The Seaforths as Adjutant.

The personnel for the original Regiment (now the 1^st Scottish Horse) had been recruited in South Africa.

The 2^nd Scottish Horse was detailed to No 3 Mobile Column under the command of Colonel G E Benson RA.

There were two other Mobile Columns operating in the Vlakfontein region of the Eastern Transvaal. One of these Columns was commanded by Colonel C W Park and the other by Brigadier General J Spens. Colonel Benson and Colonel Park were under Brigadier General Spens and under the overall command of Lieutenant General Sir Bindon Blood.

Number 3 Mobile Column was probably the most successful of the War. Colonel Benson’s modus operandi was to locate a Boer laager and to attack at dawn after a night march. The 2^nd Scottish Horse from the inception trekked continuously with great success, taking their full share in large captures of Boers, horses, cattle and ammunition.

At the end of the War when the Surrender Document was signed at Vereeniging on 31^st May 1902 both the 1^st and 2^nd Regiments of Scottish Horse were assembled at Johannesburg. Some men stayed in South Africa. The Australians went home and the remainder returned to Scotland. The disbandment of the two Regiments took place at Edinburgh on 3^rd September 1902.

Return to top

Appendix C – Lieutenant Colonel William John English VC – Medal Group

Medal	Date	Comments
VICTORIA CROSS	03/07/01	Named to – Lieutenant W J English, 2^nd Scottish Horse
QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL and 5 Bars	1899 to 1902	Named to – Lieutenant W J English VC Scot Horse 5 Bars: Cape Colony Orange Free State Transvaal South Africa 1901 South Africa 1902
1914 STAR with Ribbon Bar	05/08/14 to 22/11/14	Named to – Capt W J English VC ASC Ribbon Bar: 5^th August to 22^nd November 1914
BRITISH WAR MEDAL	1914 to 1920	Named to – Major W J English
ALLIED VICTORY MEDAL	1914 to 1918	Named to – Major W J English
1939 to 45 STAR		Unnamed as issued
AFRICA STAR		Unnamed as issued
1939 to 45 WAR MEDAL		Unnamed as issued
KING EDWARD VII CORONATION 1902 MEDAL		Unnamed as issued. This medal is in silver.
KING GEORGE VI CORONATION 1937 MEDAL		Unnamed as issued
MERITE AGRICOLE (FRENCH) (Order of Merit – Agriculture 4^th Class) (*)

(*) The French Order of Merit — Agriculture. W J English was awarded the 4^th Class of this French Order in 1919 (vide London Gazette of 14^th October 1919). No citation is included in this entry. This was solely an award for duties with animals. Over 1,000 officers and men of the ASC received the award. The Order was introduced in 1883. The first award to British troops was in 1918 and the last in 1922.

The medal group is owned by a private owner. Return to top

Appendix D – Service of W J English VC in the ASC prior to the 1^st World War

17^th October 1906 to 4^th August 1914

Event	Date	Duration
Granted a Commission as P/I 3060 into the ASC as 2^nd Lieutenant in South Africa	17/10/06	33 days
Home Leave	19/11/06	30 days
Training (Woolwich)	19/12/06	103 days
Course of Instruction (Aldershot)	01/04/07	183 days
Posted for General Duty (Dublin)	01/10/07	123 days
Embarked for South Africa and posted for General Duty	01/02/08	4 yrs 243 days
Home Leave	01/10/12	182 days
Posted for Duty (Portsmouth)	01/04/13	1 yr 126 days
Outbreak of 1^st World War	05/08/14
Total Service up to 1^st World War		7 yrs 293 days
Promoted to Substantive Lieutenant