A Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties, Part 3 233
Three: Lance-Sergeant C. Dyde, Royal Berkshire Regiment, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 11 April 1918
1914-15 Star (15240 L.Cpl. G. Dyde. R. Berks: R.) in named card box of issue, with outer OHMS transmission envelope, addressed to ‘Mrs. L. Dyde, Redditch Rd, Studley S.O., Warwickshire’; British War and Victory Medals (15240 Cpl. C. Dyde. R. Berks. R.) in named card box of issue, with outer OHMS transmission envelope, similarly addressed; Memorial Plaque (Charles Dyde) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure, in outer OHMS transmission envelope similarly addressed; Memorial Scroll, ‘Serjt. Charles Dyde, Royal Berkshire Regt.’, in OHMS transmission tube, similarly addressed, extremely fine (5)
£140-£180
Charles Dyde was born in Temple Guiling, Worcestershire, and attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment in Birmingham. He served with the 5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 30 May 1915, and was mortally wounded in action at Bouzincourt on 4 April 1918. He died of his wounds on 11 April 1918, and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France.
Sold with a photographic image of the recipient; C.W.G.C. Scroll; and copied research.
234 Pair: Private J. W. J. Beecroft, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 1 May 1917
British War and Victory Medals (R-25455 Pte. J. W. J. Beecroft. K.R. Rif. C.) in named card box of issue; Memorial Plaque (John William Joseph Beecroft) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure, in outer OHMS transmission envelope addressed to ‘Mrs. A. E. Beecroft, 77 Rattray Rd, Brixton, London’, extremely fine (3) £80-£120
Provenance: Acquired by the vendor directly from the recipient’s family.
John William Joseph Beecroft was born in Lambeth, Surrey, and attested there for the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. He served with the 9th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on 1 May 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
Sold with copied research. 235
Pair: Lieutenant H. W. Froud, Durham Light Infantry, who was mortally wounded on the Western Front leading a night raid on the enemy’s trenches near Chérisy, and died of wounds later that day, on 27 July 1917
British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. H. W. Froud.); Memorial Plaque (Harold William Froud) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure, extremely fine (3)
£100-£140
Harold William Froud was born in Christchurch, Hampshire, on 19 June 1889, and was educated at Bournemouth School. A keen footballer, he played as a half-back for Bournemouth Football Club. Following the outbreak of the Great War he attested for the 28th Battalion (Artists’ Rifles), London Regiment on 18 May 1915, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry on 30 October 1915. He served with the 5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 July 1916, was mortally wounded during the night of 26-27 July 1917, and died of wounds at No. 45 Casualty Clearing Station on 27 July 1917.
The Battalion History, by Major A. L. Raimes, gives the following account: ‘On the night of 26-27 July a party of one officer and 22 men, all volunteers, attempted a raid on a section of the German trenches near Chérisy, known as Narrow trench. They left our lines at 12:30 a.m. but, unfortunately, it was a light night, and they were seen crossing No-Man’s Land. The enemy waited till they reached their wire, and then greeted them with a shower of bombs. Lieutenant H. W. Froud, who was leading the party, was mortally wounded, seven of the men were killed or wounded, and the remainder had no alternative but to retire.
One of the men who was killed had volunteered so as to atone for some misdeed for which he had been court-martialled. He was last seen falling into the German trench, with a bayonet through his body, and his hands fast on his enemy’s throat. Another man had volunteered to avenge the death of his son who had been killed in a previous action.’
In a letter to the recipient’s parents, Froud’s Commanding Officer wrote: ‘I cannot speak too highly of your son as a gallant soldier and a true English gentleman respected by all officers and men of his regiment. I selected him with a party from his Company to do a small raid on the German trenches. Unfortunately I am afraid the enemy suspected this and were ready to receive the party with bombs, seven out of twelve in the party being hit, including your son, who was hit in several places When I saw him at the dressing-station we hoped he would go on all right, but I am afraid some small piece must have pierced him internally. I feel the loss personally, for your son was very popular with us, and I was most anxious to get him back again to the battalion after he was hit last year.’
Another officer wrote: ‘Harold died yesterday, at the casualty clearing station, from wounds received the night before. He was detailed to take out a raiding party to attack the German trenches in front. When he and his men were within fifteen yards of the German lines they assailed with bombs, and he received a number of wounds. he was brought in and was quite conscious and able to talk about what had happened. It was believed he was not dangerously wounded, but one of the small pieces must have penetrated a vital spot, and he died yesterday afternoon at the station to which he was taken. I need hardly tell you how much we all miss him. He was one of our best officers and one of the most popular with the men. I feel it is banal to offer you sympathy; what I want is that you should know he died splendidly.’
Froud is buried in Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Sold with a photographic image of the recipient; and copied research.
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