TOPIC:

William Reginald Sarel was born on15 June 1879 in Rotherwithe, London, Surrey. He was a Warehouseman. Mother was Mary Ann of 14 Blake Rd. Walhamgreen, London. Mother widowed (Father was a clerk) when baptized on 13 Spt. 1881. He had two brothers: John & Harry and a sister Annie. He served in Royal Marines but purchased himself out on 5 August 1897. Two months later, he attested in the 2 Bn. Royal Fusiliers when he was 18 years and four months old on 20 October 1897 in Kinsington. He served as 5498 Pte. W R Sarel. He was 5’5” tall and weighed 129 Lbs. He had Fair hair and blue eyes and a birthmark on his abdomen and a tattoo “T.S.” on his left forearm. Certificates: 2nd and 3rd Class education. Discharged on 19/10/1909 after 12 years service.

Home service 20/10/1897 to 21/10/1899

South Africa 22/10/1899 to 12/7/1900

Home 13/7/1900 to 6/11/1901

South Africa 7/11/1901 to 25/3/1902

Burmary (?) 26/3/1902 to 19/11/1903

East Indies 20/11/1903 to 19/1/1905

Home 20/1/1905 to 10/10/1909

Campaigns: S. Africa and Tibet Expedition 1904 (awarded a gratuity for service with Tibet Mission – 1/9/1905.)

Medals:

QSA with CC; TH; RoL; OFS, TR & KSA with SA01 & SA02 and Tibet with Gyantse

Entitled to BWM & Victory as 225171 Pte. W R Sarel, 2/R Fus. Please contact me if you know their location.

WWI Service numbers: 204283 (Pte. East Surry Regt) and then 225171 Pte. Royal Fusiliers, London Regt.

German WWI PoW records indicate he was captured at Mesneirs on 30 Nov 1917, and from German records was captured again at Le Quesnoy on 28 April 1918. He was held in Friedrichsfeld PoW Camp. – NOK: Mrs. Sarel 132 Disraeli, Putney, London (House still standing) was his 61 year old widowed mother. He was a boot repairer by trade. He never married.

Sarel died 20 Jan 1958 at St. John’s Hospital, Battersea, London. Probate 10 Mar 1958. 1,628 15S and 5d left to Charles Edward Seral, building society clerk. Address was 132 Disraeli Rd, Putney, London S.W.15.

Azyeoman
Very good acquisition! Have not seen a QSA/KSA/Tibet for ages. There is a book covering the Tibet campaign. "Bayonets to Lhasa" by Peter Fleming. I have it somewhere but not at hand.
Regards
IL.

Thanks. Another good book is Charles Allen’s Duel in the Snow; well worth reading. I’ve also attached the roll for the RFs in Tibet.

Quite some time ago, I failed to buy a QSA/KSA/Tibet/WW1 group via Historik Orders and regretted it ever since.
Apropos of not a lot, back in th early 70's I served alongside a chap who had then just inhereted his Father's medals; Tibet and WW1 trio. He was not really interested until I loaned him "Bayonets to Lhasa"
IL.