1914 Star with later issue slide clasp (L-10953 L.CPL. W.R. GREEN. 4/MIDDX. R.); British War Medal (L-10953 SJT. W.P. GREEN. MIDD'X R.); Victory Medal (L-10953 SJT. W.P. GREEN. SJT. W.R. GREEN. MIDD'X R.); General Service Medal clasp, Southern Desert, Iraq (356491. CPL. W.P. GREEN. R.A.F.); War Medal 1939-45; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (10953 SJT. W. GREEN. 11/MIDD'X: R.); Iraq, Kingdom, Active Service Medal, no clasp, mounted court-style for wear, light contact marks, the Great War awards slightly polished.
William Percival Green was born in East Finchley, London, and attested for the Middlesex Regiment at Mill Hill on 22 January 1906. Transferred to the Army Reserve on 17 June 1912, he was recalled to the Colours on the outbreak of the Great War, and served as a Lance-Corporal with the 4th Battalion on the Western Front from 31 August 1914, as part of a draft of reinforcements sent to the battalion following their losses at Mons. Advanced Sergeant and posted on attachment to the 32nd Light Trench Mortar Battery, his name was published in the Casualty List on 17 June 1917, and for his services he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, one of 176 awards of the Meritorious Service Medal made to the Middlesex Regiment during the Great War. (M.S.M. London Gazette 4 June 1917.)
Discharged on 31 March 1920, Green subsequently re-enlisted as a Corporal with the Royal Air Force, and qualified as a Cook and Butcher on 12 November 1923, being then employed as such for the remainder of his service. In 1928 when serving most probably with either No. 4 or No. 5 Armoured Car Company, he saw service in the operations against the Akhwan in the Southern Desert of Iraq, service which qualified him for the General Service Medal 1918-1962, with the rare clasp for Southern Desert, Iraq. He was discharged on 5 November 1929, and returned to live in Finchley, London.
A Postman by occupation he was in the news (Hendon & Finchley Times 18.12.1936). The article read thus:
"William Percival Green, a postman, of High Road, Whetstone, said he saw a stream of traffic coming out of Nether St, and when it stopped Mr Childs and some schoolchildren stepped on the crossing. Defendant's car came along and accelerated. Witness (Green) called out: "Why cannot you be more careful." Mr Childs and the children had to jump back.
Defendant stated in evidence that he was halfway across the crossing when the children stepped on it. He sounded his horn and proceeded on. He lost his temper with the postman (Green), whom he considered interfered in a matter which did not concern him. The Bench dismissed the summons."
He had marital strife according to the same publication who reported on 29 October 1937 that, "At Highgate Police Court on Wednesday, William Percival Green, of Grosvenor Road, Finchley, was summoned by his wife, Ellen Gertrude Green, of High Road, Whetstone, who alleged desertion. The husband admitted desertion, and the Bench made an order of £1 a week."
According to the 1939 Register he was a Postman living at 3 Shakespeare Road, Finchley, Middlesex, and a Corporal, RAF (Retired)
Subsequently enlisting as an Aircraftman 1st Class with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 22 March 1941, he was employed during the war at R.A.F. Medmenham in Buckinghamshire, before being discharged physically unfit for further service on 11 October 1943. He died in East Finchley in 1965.
Sold with the recipient’s British Army Parchment Certificate of Service, dated 2 July 1920; Discharge Certificate, dated 31 March 1920; Army Second Class Certificate of Education, dated 29 February 1912; Royal Air Force Statement of Discharge of an Airman’s Qualifications and Employment for the trade of Cook and Butcher, dated 5 November 1929; Royal Air Force Brief Statement of Service and Certificate of Discharge, dated 17 August 1943; and other ephemera.
Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated.
