Queens South Africa Medal clasps Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal (5798 PTE W. SARIL. 2ND RL:FUS:); Kings South Africa Medal clasps South Africa 1901 & 1902 (5798 PTE W. SAREL. RL: FUSILIERS.); Tibet Medal clasp Gyantse (5798 Pte. W. Sarel. 1st Bn Ryl Fuslrs)
William Reginald Sarel had a varied and interesting military career. Born in Rotherhithe, Surrey on 15 June 1879 he claimed to have had previous service with the Royal Marines before attesting with the Royal Fusiliers at Kensington on 20 October 1897. Posted to the 2nd Battalion he was promoted to Lance Corporal but reverted to Private in August 1899. He had interrupted service in the Anglo Boer war which commenced on 11 October 1899 - his first stretch was from 22 October 1899, not long after hostilities were underway, until 12 July 1900 at which point he returned to the United Kingdom until heading back to South Africa on 7 November 1901. Sarel would have served at Colenso under General Barton on 15 December 1899.
Later on in the war, after he had returned to South Africa and his battalion, he would have seen service in May 1902, just as the curtain was about to drop, when the battalion had another sea voyage, being taken round to Port Nolloth, on the west coast of the colony, to assist in the relief of Ookiep, which was successfully carried out.
He stayed in the country until 25 March 1902 at which time he was posted, along with his battalion, to Burma where he took part with the 1st battalion Royal Fusiliers, in the Younghusband Expedition in Tibet, earning the medal and clasp for Gyantse - given to those present in operations between 3 May and 6 July 1904.
Back on home soil Sarel was discharged to the Reserve on 19 October 1909. Five years later, on 4 August 1914, the Great War broke out and, although not initially involved, Sarel enlisted with the 1st battalion, East Surrey Regiment with no. 204283, until transferring to his old outfit, the 2nd Royal Fusiliers, for service in France. He was taken Prisoner at Le Quesney in the Battle of Cambria (Mesniers) on 30 November 1917 and held at Stalag Dulmen and Friedrichsfeld. His address, as provided to the International Red Cross was 132 Disraeli Rd, Putney, London. He was released from captivity on 14 December 1918.
According to the 1911 census he was still at 132 Disraeli Road, living with his 61 year old widowed mother. He was a Boot Repairer by trade. At the time of the 1939 Register he was still at that address and was still a Boot Repairer. He never married and died at the same address on 20 January 1958.
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with some research. Note the different spelling of the surname on the QSA medal. The British War Medal and Victory Medal he earned for WWI are not included.
