CAMPAIGN GROUPS AND PAIRS
The attack was to be renewed on the 17th October. Its ultimate objectives were Dump and Fosse trenches, to be followed by the Dump itself, and Fosse 8 behind it. There were, however, to be two stages, and for the first Dump and Fosse trenches were the limit. The 3rd Guards Brigade on the right was to capture the ground enclosed between the south face of the Hohenzollern Redoubt and Dump trench, whilst the 2nd Guards Brigade was to take the northern part of Little Willie and the rear of the Redoubt, the west face of which, with part of Little Willie, was already held. There were bombing attacks by the Germans on the west face during the relief, which were repulsed, and the relief was completed with difficulty.
The attack, well supported by artillery and trench-mortar fire, started at 5 am on the 17th.... In the right attack the 2nd Scots Guards took a prominent part in front, with the 4th Grenadier Guards in support. On that morning the battalion was ready by 4 am. Headquarters were moved forward 250 yards along the communication trench, and ‘G’ Company was spread along to form a chain for passing up bombs and supplies to the front.
The attack started at 5 am, ‘F’ Company [led by Orr] going south-east along “Big Willie,” L. F. by a communication trench branching off to the left, and R. F. by another, reaching the German front at the same point, about 100 yards north of the junction of “Big Willie” with Dump trench.
At first nothing was heard of the attacking companies, except reiterated demands for more bombs. Then it appeared that they were having a very stiff time of it. Most of their bombers were casualties, and untrained bombers were wasting bombs, often throwing them without pulling the pins out, and getting them thrown back by the Germans.
About 6.30 am Lieutenant R. Warde, in charge of the bombers, came back wounded in the leg, but returned when it had been dressed. He was soon wounded again in the shoulder, and was brought back in on a stretcher.
An attempt by Captain Orr to improve the situation by attacking over the open with ‘F’ was stopped early, both Captain Orr and Lieutenant Lechmere being killed.
At 8 am divisional orders arrived to consolidate on the ground so far gained. This consisted of about 150 yards of “Big Willie” gained by ‘F’, and about 200 yards gained by L. F. R. F. had got forward, but found themselves in a cul-de-sac and were driven back by a German counter-attack. The rest of the day was spent in consolidating the new line.’ (Ibid)
The 2nd Battalion suffered casualties of 3 officers (with Orr being the most senior) killed, 2 wounded, and 136 other ranks killed, wounded or missing as a result of the attack on the 17th.
Captain Orr is buried in the Sailly-Labourse Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. There is also a memorial to him and his father in the Glasgow Necropolis.
1152
Three: Corporal J. W. Price, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, killed in action during the Battle of the Lys, 14 April 1918
1914 STAR, with clasp (9806 Pte. J. Price. 1/Shrops: L.I.); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORYMEDALS (9806 Cpl. J. Price. Shrops. L.I.); MEMORIAL PLAQUE (Joseph Price) in card envelope, nearly extremely fine (4)
£240-280
Joseph William Price was born in Shrewsbury c.1895, and attested there for the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 10 September 1914, and was promoted Corporal. Transferring to the 7th Battalion, he was killed in action during the Battle of the Lys on 14 April 1918, and is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery, France. He is also commemorated on the memorial at St. George’s Church, Shrewsbury.
Sold with official photograph of the recipient’s original grave; postcard photograph of the recipient; copied Medal Index Card (which makes no mention of the clasp to his 1914 Star); and various other research.
1153
Three: Bombardier T. R. Blick, Royal Field Artillery 1914 STAR, with clasp (33257 Gnr: T. R. Blick. R.F.A.); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (33257 Bmbr. T. R. Blick. R.A.) mounted as worn, naming very faintly impressed on VM, nearly very fine
Three: Driver G. Holmes, Royal Field Artillery 1914-15 STAR (59247 Dvr: G. Holmes. R.F.A.); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORYMEDALS (59247 Dvr. G. Holmes. R.A.) mounted as worn, nearly very fine
VICTORY MEDAL 1914-19 (47162 Dvr. F. Coleman. R.A.) good very fine (7) £100-140
www.dnw.co.uk
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