WW1 East Kent Regiment 1914 Mons Star, Mercantile Marine Unusual Group

WW1 East Kent Regiment 1914 Mons Star, Mercantile Marine Unusual Medal Group.

This most unusual combination medal group was awarded to Harold Midgley Hilton and regular soldier with the East Kent Regiment and later Merchant Seaman.

Comprising: 

1914 Mons Star “L-5651 PTE H M HILTON 1/E KENT R”, British War Medal, “HAROLD HILTON”, Mercantile Marine Medal, “HAROLD HILTON”, Victory Medal, “L-5651 PTE H W HILTON E. KENT R”, Medals loose. 

Medals are correctly named representing the last rank held and last unit serving for entitlement of the medal. 

Private Harold W Hilton was a pre war regular soldier who enlisted in 1910 and served with the 1st Bastion East Kent Regiment, his home town being Macclesfield in Cheshire.

He landed in France on the 27th October 1914 and remained there until 12th October 1915 when he was posted home. At his own request he was discharged from the Army at the termination of his engagement on the 20th October 1915.

He then appears to have volunteered for the Merchant service, his MN index card confirms his service and also the Macclesfield address which also is confirmed on his enlistment papers.