Description
Meritorious Service Medal, GV, 7705 Sergeant William Beecroft, 4th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, awarded during 1917 for service in East Africa on attachment to the Indian Telegraph Company, Indian Army.
Officially impressed: “7705 Sjt: W. Beecroft. 4/K.R.R.C.”
Some edge bruising and general wear.
An interesting and scarce wartime award of the Meritorious Service Medal for “Devotion to duty”.
Announced in the London Gazette, 26th May 1917.
Sjt William Beecroft’s war service began on his arrival on 19th February 1915 as a Rifleman in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, number 7705.
He re-enlisted with the 3rd K.R.R.C. as a Sergeant, number 49826.
Earned his 1914-15 Star as a Rifleman and Pair as Sergeant named to the K.R.R.C.
Having become a Sergeant, he was then sent on detachment to the Indian Army, seeing service with the “Indian Telegraph Company” part of the Indian Telegraph Department, circa 1916-17, where he earned this medal for service in East Africa.
During WW1, the Indian Expeditionary Force operated in “East Africa” since November 1914, when they first arrived off Tanga.
Only 2 British Regiment fought in the campaign, mostly falling to the Indian Expeditionary Force alongside the South African Infantry in the region.
Worthy of further research, Sjt Beecroft who had seen rapid promotion, was likely posted to East Africa with the British Empire reinforcements during 1916, who then served under General Jan Smuts.
