MILITARY CROSS GROUP OF FOUR TO PILLING- ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS-WOUNDED IN BOTH THIGHS AND BY BARBED WIRE-DIED 22ND OCTOBER 1918

Military Cross on original pin, in original box of issue.
1914/15 Star, named to: 19940 SJT W.PILLING.WELSH R.(Naming a little faint-lightly impressed)
British War and Victory Medals, named to:
2 LIEUT W.PILLING.
Medals good very fine, on original silk ribbons.
Second Lieutenant William Pilling 3rd Bn., Attached 2nd Bn., Royal Welsh Fusiliers died on 22nd October, 1918 aged 24.The Son of Nancy Pilling of 23, Holly St., Astley Bridge, Bolton.He is buried at The St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen.
Military Cross London Gazette 15th October, 1918.
2nd Lt.William Pilling attd. R.W.Fus
For conspicuous gallantry during a battalion raid, when he showed very excellent leadership.He reorganised a section which had met with determined resistance and led them in person,capturing five prisoners and killing several of the enemy,By his coolness and grasp of the situation he inspired confidence in all.
Comes with an original letter forwarding his Military Cross to A.Pilling,23, Holly Street, Astley Bridge,Bolton, Lancashire.
William Pilling was born in 1895 at Astley Bridge, Bolton, Lancashire.He attested for the Welsh Regiment on 2nd November, 1914.Having being promoted to Sergeant, he arrived in France on 03/12/1915 serving with the 15th btn Welsh Regt.
He was wounded in both thighs (G/S/W) on 16/12/1915.He was commissioned on 27th March 1917 into the 2nd Royal Welch Fusiliers.where he fought with them up until being wounded in the final advance.He was returning from a trench raid on July 11th 1918, when he was caught up in enemy barbed wire, he had not seen the wire due to it being a dark night.He was assisted in freeing himself by L/Sgt T.W.Edwards.He was wounded in the leg and knee (infected) .This was later referred to as a GSW (Full details of this incident are in his Officer's papers a copy of which is included with group) Having been treated in Hospital, he returned to the front line, and having been gazetted for the Military Cross, he was admitted to Hospital on 16/10/1918 suffering from a severe and extensive Broncho-Pneumonia probably following an attack of Influenza .He died on 22/10/1918 at the No2 Red Cross Hospital.Following his death an inquiry was held as to whether his death was due to the "epidemic" that was breaking out.
Comes with a "wad" of copied attestation papers, Officer's papers. etc.etc.
A scarce Military Cross "casualty" group-worthy of further research

Code: 53897