CAMPAIGN GROUPS AND PAIRS 356
Three: Private G. Bird, York and Lancaster Regiment 1914-15 STAR (837 Pte. G. Bird. York: & Lanc: R.); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORYMEDALS (837 Pte. G. Bird. York & Lanc. R.) very fine
Three: Private A. Maiden, York and Lancaster Regiment 1914-15 STAR (4572 Pte. A. Maiden. York & Lanc. R.); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORYMEDALS (4572 Pte. A. Maiden. York & Lanc. R.) nearly very fine
Pair: Lance-Corporal C. Grice, East Yorkshire Regiment, killed in action on the Western Front, 9 April 1917 BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (23584 Pte. C. Grice. E. York. R.) extremely fine
Pair: Private I. G. Read, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (52417 Pte. I. G. Read. K.O.Y.L.I.) very fine (10)
£100-140
Christopher Grice was born in Laughton, Yorkshire, and attested for the East Yorkshire Regiment at Beverley, Yorkshire. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War, and was killed in action on the Western Front on 9 April 1917. He is buried in Cojeul British Cemetery, France.
357
Three: Private T. Darwin, York & Lancaster Regiment, killed in action at Authuille Wood, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916
1914-15 STAR (14402 Pte. T. Darwin. York: & Lanc: R.); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORYMEDALS (14402 Pte. T. Darwin. Y. & L. R.) very fine or better (3)
£240-280
Tom Darwin was born in Catcliffe, Rotherham, Yorkshire, in 1890, and attested for the York & Lancaster Regiment at Frensham Camp, Rotherham on 1 September 1914. He served with the 8th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 August 1915. He was reported missing, assumed killed in action, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, aged 26. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. He is also commemorated on the Catcliffe War Memorial.
8th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment War Diary for 1 July 1916, at Authuille Wood, refers: “The Battalion advanced in four waves as intended but most of the men were shot down in No Mans Land… the remainder reached the enemy’s wires. This was in places still uncut and many Officers and men were shot down whilst cutting it. So far as can be gathered the first men who reached the enemy trenches got as far as the third line but they were not seen again. Our men in the first and second line were immediately engaged by the enemy who came out of dug-outs and what were supposed to be communication tunnels… Bombing then continued between parties of the enemy and our men in both second and first line and many of the enemy including several Officers were shot who attempted to come over the top of the trenches… Eventually all the men in the second line became casualties. Further heavy fighting continued until only odd parties of two and three men were left. It is reported that an enemy machine gun was found in the front line with two Germans chained to it. Both were dead, one having been bayoneted and the other apparently killed with the butt of a rifle. All the bombers except one man are casualties. Only two Lewis Gunners returned bringing back one gun. Out of a total of 680 N.C.O.s and men and 22 Officers who went over the parapet, the following numbers returned unwounded: 1 Sergeant, 3 Corporals, 10 Lance Corporals and 54 men. No Officers.”
358
Three: Corporal A. J. Atkins, London Regiment, killed in action at Gommecourt on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916
1914-15 STAR (3221. L. Cpl. A. J. Atkins. 2-Lond. R.); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (3221. Cpl. A. J. Atkins. 2-Lond. R.) nearly extremely fine (3)
£200-240
Arthur John Atkins was born in Battersea, London, in 1892, and attested for the London Regiment at Westminster, serving in Egypt and Gallipoli, before arriving on the Western Front on 24 April 1916. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme. France. Fatal casualties on this day for the 2nd Battalion London Regiment were approximately 170.
1st/2nd Battalion London Regiment was part of 169th Brigade at Gommecourt on 1 July 1916. The attack started at zero hour and the first two trenches were taken with comparatively minor losses. The companies were split and were suffering casualties from the enemy shelling and heavy machine-gun fire. In the chaos, fighting was intense, grenades being used to the full and enemy counter attacks being launched. Two companies attempted to reinforce, but were cut down by machine-gun fire from Gommecourt Park. By mid- afternoon, the fire was at its hottest. By 7pm, the only hold on enemy trenches was about 70 men in Ferret Trench. At 9:45 pm artillery practically ceased on both sides. At 10pm, ‘A’ and ‘C’ Companies were reorganised and with all available details went out to collect the wounded, but were unable to complete the task by daybreak.
The War Diary continues: “Soon afterwards (12:30am) the enemy were seen in Ferret showing a white flag. With the General’s permission, M.O.s of out battalion and L.R.B., and about 50 men went down Gommecourt Road with stretchers and got in about 45 wounded, the enemy also leaving their trenches for the same purpose. This truce lasted about an hour and was honourably kept by the enemy, who gave us ten minutes to get back to our trenches at its expiration and sent over shells behind us to help us to do so quickly! Some of the wounded lying near the German wire stated that the Germans had come to them in the night and given them coffee.”
359
Three: Major O. M. Williams, Monmouthshire Regiment, killed in action on the Western Front, 13 October 1915
1914-15 STAR (Capt. O. M. Williams Mon. R.); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (Major O. M. Williams) nearly extremely fine (3)
£140-180
Oswald Michael Williams was commissioned Second Lieutenant into the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion, South Wales Borderers on 20 August 1904, and transferred to the 1st Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment on 1 April 1908. Appointed Instructor of Musketry on 20 January 1909, he was promoted Captain and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War. He was killed in action on the Western Front on 13 October 1915. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.
www.dnw.co.uk
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