MEDALS belonging to a Denbigh man who was sent to fight in both the First and Second World War are set to be sold at auction.

Captain William Rawson Hughes was once mentioned in the dispatches of Sir Douglas Haig, who commanded British forces on the Western Front during 1914-18, for his services in France and Belgium during some of the war’s bloodiest periods.

He would later be appointed a major and collect nine medals, including a Military Cross, an OBE and a Great War Trio.

Little is known about Mr Hughes’ life beyond wartime, though an article published by the Free Press on January 4, 1919 referred to him as “our townsman”, which suggests he was a popular figure. The article also stated Mr Hughes was included in Sir Haig’s dispatches “for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty” between February and September 1918.

This was a period in which the German army made its Ludendorff Offensive which resulted in more than 860,000 casualties.

The collection of medals, including an image of Mr Hughes, have now been marked for auction by Fellows Auctioneers at an estimated price of £1,000-£1,500.

Alison Jakeway, senior specialist from the silver department at Fellows, said: “Every now and then we have incredible medal groups go under the hammer at Fellows and this is no exception. Capt. Hughes was clearly a distinguished serviceman and it is an honour to auction his medals which I’m sure will be popular at auction.

“Medals with history such as this always hold extra significance and I fully expect a lot of interest amongst potential bidders.”

According to a supplement in the London Gazette, Mr Hughes was awarded the Military Cross in June 1917. He received the OBE in January 1919, 'For services rendered in connection with military operations in France and Flanders', as recorded in the 1919 New Year Honours (OBE) List.

The medal box also includes three World War II medals and a Battle of the Somme Commemorative medal.

Fellows is accepting bids for the lot online, and the medals can be viewed by visiting the Fellows website. The medals can seen in person at Augusta House in Birmingham between Friday and Monday, September 13-16.

For more information contact Fellows by calling 0121 212 2131 or email info@fellows.co.uk