BRITISH WAR MEDAL 1914 - 1920 AND ALLIED VICTORY MEDAL 1914 - 19 for First World War Service in the 4TH BATTALION, DEVONSHIRE REGIMENT (TERRITORIAL FORCE).

Named as issued to:

201040 C.SGT. (Colour Sergeant) M. W. (Maurice William) GILPIN. DEVON. R.

Both in excellent condition. The rank of Colour Sergeant is quite uncommon in any battalion. On the BWM the C of C. Sgt is only faintly stamped but still visible.

Maurice was born on 3 Jan 1881 at Exeter, Devon, and before the War was an assistant schoolmaster. His address was 11 Bartholemew Terrace, Exeter.

He enlisted in the 4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment (Territorial Force), raised at Exeter, and was probably a pre-war soldier. On 19 Oct 1914 - early in the War - the Battalion was sent to India, as part of the Wessex Division, to replace Regular units bound for the Western Front. They arrived at the 3rd (Lahore) Divisional Area at Ferozepore.   

On 2 Jul 15 Maurice was based at Wellington, Madras Presidency, where he was initiated into the Anchor of Hope Masonic Lodge, no. 1093, in Madras (still exists), apparently joining many other senior ranks and officer members. He gave his rank as 'Sergeant'. 

In 1916 the Wessex Division was split up. The 4th Devons sailed for Mesopotamia, while the 1/4th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Territorial Force) sailed for Aden and later Egypt. It seems likely that Maurice was transferred to the 4th DCLI at that time. He was issued with the new service number 203245. 

After the War he resumed his profession as assistant schoolmaster, at St Sidwell's Boys' School, Exeter.

By 1939 he had moved to 16 Queen's Road, Exeter, and was still an assistant schoolmaster (Elementary). 

Maurice died at the age of 88 in 1969, in Exeter. At the time of his death his address was 30 Bartholemew Street West, Exeter.

Sold with a copy of his Medal Index Card and medal roll confirming his details and this was his full medal entitlement. Also copies of research.

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