A Regimental Sergeant-Major's Great War campaign and long service medal group of 4: Regimental Sergeant-Major Robert William Baron, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, late 2nd Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry)

- 1914-15 Star (8129 Sjt. R. W. Baron. D. of Corn: L.I.)
- British War Medal. Silver issue (8129 W.O. Cl.2. R. W. Baron. D. of Corn. L.I.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (8129 W.O. Cl.2. R. W. Baron. D. of Corn. L.I.)
- Military LS&GC. GV first issue (5439074 W.O. Cl. II. R. W. Baron. D.C.L.I.)

Medals verification: All campaign medals confirmed as entitled per the respective medal rolls of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry and published Army Order, cited below:

- 1915 Star: Ref WO 329/2716 (disembarked theatre of war 'France', 15 December 1914)
- British War Medal. Silver issue: Ref WO 329/1214
- Interallied Victory Medal: Ref WO 329/1214
- Military LS&GC. GV first issue: Ref Army Order 136 of 1924

Robert William Baron was born in Tottenham, Middlesex, in July 1888 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at Bodmin on 24 August 1905. Promoted Sergeant on 18 December 1913, he served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 19 December 1914, and was promoted Colour Sergeant on 9 October 1916, and Warrant Officer Class II on 1 May 1917. He saw further service post-War in India, before transferring to the Permanent Staff of the 4/5th Battalion as Acting Warrant Officer I, with rank of Acting Regimental Sergeant Major on, 11 September 1922. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 136 of 1924, and was discharged on 23 August 1926, after 21 years’ service. Robert 'Bob' William Baron died at Boscawen Street, Truro, Cornwall, England, on, 25 April 1931. Robert had an unusually diverse record of service, with numerous overseas postings. His record of service (taken from his service record held by the Ministry of Defence) was:

- Home: 21/08/1905 - 09/02/1906
- Gibraltar: 17/12/1886 - 15/12/1888
- Bermuda: 6/12/1888 - 03/01/1892
- South Africa: 04/01/1892 - 15/01/1893
- Hong Kong Colony: Home: 16/01/1893 - 06/06/1900
- Expeditionary Force France: 07/06/1900 - 09/04/1902
- Mediterranean Expeditionary Force: 27/11/1915 - 18/01/1919
- En-route (in transit): 19/01/1919 - 11/03/1919
- Home: 12/03/1919 - 25/09/1919
- British India: 26/09/1919 - 06/04/1921
- En-route (in transit): 07/04/1921 - 06/05/1921
- Home: 07/05/1921 - 23/08/1926

A lengthy obituary article was published in the Cornish Guardian issue of 30 April 1931, which is quoted below (less the list of mourners at the funeral):

Quote,

WITH MILITARY HONOURS

FUNERAL OF EX-D.C.L.I.
SERGT.-MAJOR

THE LATE MR R. W. BARON.

Well known at Bodmin and in regimental circles in the county, Mr. Robert William Baron, of 8, Boscawen Street, Truro, passed away at the Royal Cornwall Infirmary on Saturday night at the age of 42.

Mr. Baron was the only son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Baron of Bodmin, and in his youth was apprenticed to Mr. Stripp's grocery business in Fore Street. Later he enlisted in the D.C.L.I., retiring some few years ago with the rank of Regimental Sergeant-Major. During his career as a soldier he saw service in India, Salonica, Egypt and other places in the Near East. Of a pleasant and cheerful disposition, he was liked by all with whom he came in contact and his comrades in the Army held him in the highest esteem.

Prior to his retirement he held appointments in the Territorial staff and was for a time instructor to the Truro Cathedral School Cadets. After his retirement Mr. Baron was employed by Messrs. Lloyds Bank. of Boscawen Street, Truro, in whose service he was at the time of his death. Mr. Baron leaves a widow.

The funeral was at Porthleven, on Tuesday and many late members of the deceased's members old regiment paid their last respects to their comrade. Mr. Baron was accorded a military funeral and the coffin was draped with a Union Jack. A large section of members of the Porthleven branch of the British Legion preceded the cortege, which was also accompanied by a detachment of the 4/5th D.C.L.I.

The service was conducted in the Parish Church and at the graveside by the Rev. L. Wilford. The Rev. J. H. Angove, U.M. Minister, who had served with the deceased in Salonika, assisted, by his request, at the committal service. The hymns sung were "Now the labourer's task is O'er" and "On the resurrection morning", the organist rendering funeral music as the cortege entered and left the church. The bearers were non-commissioned officers of the D.C.L.I. and residents of Porthleven, and "Last Post" was sounded at the graveside by buglers of the regiment...........

Unquote

The recipients service papers are extant and are held at the Ministry of Defence

The medals mounted for display on a strip of card, in the swing-style suspended from silk 'moire' ribands

Sold together with a quantity of hard copied research including service records (these heavy and reflected in the quote for overseas postage)

Condition: Mostly GVF

Code: 23506