Scarce - 1st (Depot) Tank Battalion - Large Sterling Silver Boxing Medal - Winner Team Championship Novices 1922

Here on offer is a scarce inter-wars period, large sterling silver boxing medal awarded to the Winner of the novice team championship in 1922, the 1st (Depot) Tank Battalion.

This large medal came with the small medal or fob that is listed as item No.51287.

The 1st (Depot) Battalion only formed after the end of WW1 and had a short existence being renamed the Royal Tank Corps Depot in 1925.

The circular medal has been made from sterling silver and the front depicts, in relief, the scene of two men boxing.

The reverse displays the finely detailed raised image of a laurel wreath, engraved in the centre with the words:

WINNER
TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
NOVICES 1922
1ST (DEPOT) TANK BATT.

It is also stamped “STERLING” for 925 grade sterling silver and has a maker’s mark of M & B set in an oval.

This relates to the well-known jewellers and medallists, Marples & Beasley, of Albion Street, Birmingham.

Even the medal suspension ring is stamped with the English Lion mark, denoting 925 grade, English silver.

This medal is truly a fine quality piece that is in beautiful condition, with just one slight edge knock to the raised rim on the front.

It measures 1.5” (3.8cm) diameter and weighs 26g.


Some related history:

1st Royal Tank Regiment
The 1914 - 1918 WAR

A Company, Heavy Branch Machine Gun Corps, the forerunner of the First, was formed under Major C M Tippetts, South Wales Borderers, at Elvesdon, Norfolk and moved under his command to France in October 1916. At the end of the year the expanded Company became 'A' Battalion. For his gallantry at Ypres in October 1917 Captain C Robertson was posthumously awarded the first Victoria Cross for the Tank Corps. In the following month the Battalion took part in the Battle of Cambrai with the other eight original Battalions of the Corps, and Captain R Wain won the Battalion's second Victoria Cross.

On 24 April 1918 the victor of the first tank versus tank engagement at Cachy was Lieutenant F Mitchell's tank No 1 of A Company. Later in the year on 8 August the Battalion took part in the Battle of Amiens in which over 600 tanks were involved and during which an advance of up to 20 miles was achieved. Unfortunately, the cost to the Battalion was high; nine out of ten tanks in 'A' Company of the Battalion were destroyed.

Between the Wars

After the Armistice the Battalion moved to Bovington to become the 1st (Depot) Battalion which was renamed the Royal Tank Corps Depot in 1925. It was not until April 1934 that the 1st (Light) Battalion re-appeared at Perham Down as part of the 1st Tank Brigade. It was equipped with Vickers Light Tanks and had the role of reconnaissance. 18 months later it was rushed out to Egypt to reinforce the garrison at the time of the Italian invasion of Abyssinia. It returned to Perham Down after a year but in March 1938 moved again to Egypt to be part of the Mobile Division, the forerunners of the 7th Armoured Brigade.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

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Code: 51279