A Welsh Yeoman's confirmed 'Palestine Casualty' 3rd Battle of Gaza / Capture of Beersheba, Great War medal pair: Serjeant Basil Samuel Mercer, 25th (Montgomeryshire and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers, late Montgomery Yeomanry

- British War Medal. Silver issue (2870 Pte. B. S. Mercer. Montgom. Yeo.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (2870 Pte. B. S. Mercer. Montgom. Yeo.)

Wounded-in-Action: reference 'The County Times' issue of 17 November 1917, from which we are quoting the below following casualty notice:

Quote,

SERGT BASIL MERCER, WELSHPOOL

Mrs Mercer, Bodfach, Welshpool, who is staying at Denbigh, has received notification that her son, Sergt Basil Mercer, has been wounded in Palestine. Sergt Mercer went out to Egypt with the Yeomanry, in which he enlisted over two years ago, when on the staff of the Land Valuation Office at Welshpool. His father, Lieut and Quartermaster W. Mercer, of the same regiment, went out to Egypt at the same time as his son, but has since been drafted to Salonica.

Unquote.
 
Medals Verification: Both medals confirmed as the recipients full medal entitlement for the Great War, per below referenced medal rolls

- British War Medal: WO 329/1086. First as 2870 /1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry then 355338 25/RWF 
- Interallied Victory Medal: WO 329/1086

After their arrival in Egypt the Montgomery Yeomanry were dismounted, and amalgamated with the Welsh Horse Yeomanry, to become the 25th (Montgomeryshire and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Under their new designation the 25th R.W.F. served as a constituent unit of 231st Brigade of the newly-formed 74th (Yeomanry) Division. In terms of actions, with the Egyptian Field Force in Palestine they were engaged at the 2nd Battle of Gaza 17-19 April 1917 and the Third battle of Gaza 27 October-7 November 1917, which latter battle included the Capture of Beersheba on 31 October 1917

Considering the published cited newspaper article (17/11/17) it is almost certain that Sergeant Mercer was 'Wounded-in;Action' while fighting during the 3rd Battle of Gaza / Capture of Beersheba

Victoria Cross Action: On 31 October 1917, Corporal John Collins D.C.M., of the 25th (Montgomeryshire and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. performed the below following conspicuous deeds of gallantry that earned for him the award of the Victoria Cross:

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On 31 October 1917, during the Battle of Beersheba at Wadi Saba, Beersheba, Palestine, when, after deployment, prior to an attack, his battalion was forced to lie out in the open under heavy shell and machine-gun fire which caused many casualties. Corporal Collins repeatedly went out under heavy fire and brought back many wounded to cover, thus saving many lives. In subsequent operations throughout the day, he was conspicuous in rallying and leading his command. He led the final assault with the utmost skill in spite of heavy fire at close range and uncut wire. He bayoneted 15 of the enemy and with a Lewis gun section, pressed on beyond the objective and covered the reorganization and consolidation most effectively although isolated and under fire from snipers and guns

Unquote.

Basil Samuel Mercer, son of William Thomas Mercer (a Professional Soldier, ex 12th Royal Lancers, British Army, later Lieutenant awarded M.B.E. died Salonika, November 1918) and Mary Ann Mercer (nee Jones) was born in Cork, County Cork, Ireland, on 6 June 1896. By the time of the compilation of the National Census for England and Wales in 1911, Basil, described as a 'Schoolboy' is recorded living with his parents (father shown as R.S.M.) and several siblings at their residence located at 'The Armoury', Welshpool, Montgomeryshire, Wales. After his overseas service in the Great War in which he was wounded, Basil returned to his family in Welshpool, where on 1 December 1920, he married Lottie J. Pilot. Basil Samuel Mercer is recorded to have died in Montgomeryshire, Wales, on 8 October 1960 

The medals mounted as-worn by the recipient in the swing-style. The medals fitted with their original lean bright silk 'moire' ribands suspended from a white-metal mounting bar, this latter retaining its hinged pin & clasp fittings

A very scarce seen Great War casualty pair for Palestine to a Welsh Yeomanry Trooper who at one time served together with his father in the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry, and who later fought with the 25th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers

Condition: Toned GVF

Code: 25484