A Boer War Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Belfast and Great War Western Front group awarded to Private W.S. Lay, 1st Battalion, later 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment who was present in South Africa during the Boer War where he would be present during the relief of Kimberely as well as in the actions at Paardeberg, Driefontein and Belfast. He would later serve on the Western Front from 24th November 1914 subsequently being discharged on 21st November 1915.
Group of 5: Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 4 Clasps: Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Belfast; (5273 PTE. W.S. LAY. 1: ESSEX REGT.) King’s South Africa Medal 1901-1902, 2 Clasps: South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; (5273 PTE. W. LAY. ESSEX REGT.) 1914-1915 Star; (5273 PTE. W.S. LAY. ESSEX R.) British War Medal and Victory Medal; (5273 PTE. W.S. LAY. ESSEX R.)
Condition: contact wear and minor edge-bruising to Boer War medals thus Very Fine, Great War medals, Nearly Extremely Fine
W.S. Lay saw service as a Private (No. 5273) with the 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment in South Africa during the Boer War where he was present during the relief of Kimberley and in action at Paardeberg, Driefontein and Belfast. He would later serve with the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment during the Great War where he arrived in France on 24th November 1914, subsequently seeing service on the Western Front before being discharged on 21st November 1915.
