Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

Seven medals to Warrant Officer 2nd Class Harold Powell, Royal Engineers: Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, first type (b), 6 clasps: Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (28918. Sapr. H. POWELL. R.E.), officially engraved; King's South Africa, both dated clasps (28918 SAPR H. POWELL. R.E.); 1914 Star (28918 SJT H. POWELL. R.E.); British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal, the latter with a dress miniature Mention in Despatches emblem fixed to the ribbon (28918 W.O. CL. 2 H. POWELL. R.E.); Army Long Service and Good Conduct, George V (28918 CPL H. POWELL. R.E.); Russia: Medal of St George for Bravery, 2nd Class, gold, numbered 2829 (28918 SGT. H. POWELL. R.E.), impressed in serif capitals; mounted for wearing, all about very fine or nearly so. [7]

(36 mm (silver medals))

Harold Powell was born in Hayling, Hampshire, in 1875. A carpenter by trade, he attested for Short Service in the Royal Engineers at Gosport on the 28th of February 1895, aged 19 years. He served in South Africa with 1st Field Troop R.E., and in October 1902 he extended his service to 12 years. In November 1905 he re-engaged to complete 21 years, and in January of the following year he married Lilian Rose (neé Harrison) in Christchurch. Powell was awarded the L.S.G.C. Medal with gratuity in 1913, and was sent to France on the 17th of August 1914, where he served with the 2nd Field Squadron R.E.. He was mentioned in a despatch of Field Marshal Sir John French of the 31st of May 1915, in recognition of "gallant and distinguished service in the field", and he received the Russian Medal of St George later that year (London Gazette 25/08/1915). He was discharged to the reserve in January 1919.