*British, WWI, Medal Trio to L.Cpl William Gater, Royal Fusiliers, Severely Wounded 1916 (Amputation), with Discharge Papers & Research Archive*
A poignant and well-documented medal group: Great War 1914–15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal awarded to Lance Corporal William Gater, 12623, 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, who landed in France in July 1915 and served through Ypres and the Somme before being severely wounded in August 1916, sustaining a gunshot/shrapnel wound that led to the amputation of his left arm and discharge in 1917. Mounted for display with a gilt brass Royal Fusiliers cap badge, mounting bar and typed label, noting his severe wounding in 1916.
Historical Note:
William Gater, born Goldenhill, Stoke-on-Trent, 1893/94, worked as a collier before enlisting in the Royal Fusiliers on 11 February 1915 at Stratford. He joined the 4th Battalion, part of 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, landing in France on 7 July 1915. In 1915 the battalion fought in the Ypres Salient, including Hooge, enduring the first use of German flamethrowers. In 1916 they were heavily engaged on the Somme. During July–September 1916 the 4th Royal Fusiliers took part in bitter fighting at Delville Wood, Guillemont and Ginchy, suffering heavy casualties.
It was in this period, on 17 June 1916, that Gater was first listed as wounded, and again on 28 August 1916 he sustained a gunshot/shrapnel wound to the left arm (classified VIII.4: compound fracture of the upper extremity). Treated at the 6th General Hospital, he was evacuated to England aboard the Hospital Ship Maheno. His injury necessitated the amputation of the left arm, recorded on his discharge papers. He was discharged at Hounslow on 14 July 1917, “no longer physically fit for war service” under King’s Regulations 392 (xvi), and issued the Silver War Badge No. 212434. His pension award noted a weekly allowance of 27s 6d, reduced after review, reflecting permanent disability.
The 4th Royal Fusiliers’ actions in 1915–16 — from Ypres through to the carnage of Delville Wood — placed them in some of the fiercest fighting of the war. Gater’s case is a stark example of the terrible human cost, his life permanently altered by the Somme battles.
*Condition*
The medals remain in very good condition, with toned finishes and original silk ribbons, attractively mounted with Fusiliers badge. The original discharge and character papers (dated 1917) are included, folded and age-toned but fully legible. The accompanying research archive consists of photocopied Medal Index Card, service papers, Silver War Badge rolls, casualty lists, pension award documents. Together, they form a deeply moving and well-provenanced set. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
Research Copies included:
- Original documents (2): Discharge certificate (Army Form B.2079), Character certificate, and personal service record sheets (dated 1917).
- Photocopy records: Attestation and service records, Medal Index Card (WO 372/7/220297), War Badge rolls, Medal rolls, pension award sheet, casualty lists, and Forces War Records transcripts.
- Battalion history: Cross-referenced with published sources including The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War by H.C. O’Neill (1922) and divisional accounts of 3rd Division actions on the Somme.
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