The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals 201
Pair: Rifleman W. Cresswell, 8th Battalion (Post Office Rifles), late 5th (City of London) Battalion (London Rifle Brigade), London Regiment, who was killed in action on 3 October 1918
British War and Victory Medals (306264 Pte. W. Cresswell. 5-Lond. R.) in paper packets in damaged named card box of issue, all in outer OHMS transmission envelope addressed to ‘Mrs Cresswell, 91 Wellington Road, Bromley by Bow’; Memorial Plaque (William Cresswell) extremely fine (3)
£200-£240
William Cresswell was born in Colchester and resided in Bow, London. He served with the 5th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) on the Western Front from 3 August 1918. Posted to the 8th Battalion (Post Office Rifles) on 10 August, he was killed in action by a machine gun bullet on 3 October 1918 at the start of the Fifth Army’s Final Advance in Artois.
He was the son of Arthur and Martha Cresswell of 91 Wellington Road, Bow, Bromley, London and is commemorated on the Vis-en- Artois Memorial, France.
Sold together with a card framed photograph, 80mm x 130mm, thought to be of the recipient in uniform; a canvas wallet, stamped to the front ‘L.R.B. France, 1918’; two letters, dated 18 September 1918 and 28 September 1918, written by the recipient whilst on active service in France with Y Platoon, 8th London Regiment, and sent to his mother, one written on YMCA B.E.F. Paper with matching envelope; a letter dated 6 October 1918 from 2nd Lieut. F. R. Julian, Y Platoon, B Company, 8th London Regt., to the recipient’s mother offering condolences and providing details relating to her son’s death, burial, grave location and personal effects; a letter of condolence dated 1st November 1918 to the recipient’s mother on paper with letter heading ‘Baltic House, 27 Leadenhall Street, London’ - signature illegible; a letter dated 21 November 1919 to the recipient’s father from Lieut W. L. Taggart-Webb, late 17th London Regt, regarding the burial location of the recipient; a birthday card to the recipient’s mother from the recipient’s brother, Jim; War Office Form No. 1A; Army Form W. 3171A; Dependent’s Form F; and Dependent’s Form 4K, all forms with reference to the recipient.
202
Pair: Private L. P. Hewett, 1/14th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (London Scottish), who was reported missing, presumed dead, after heavy fighting at Messines Ridge on 31 October 1914
1914 Star, with clasp (1310 Pte. L. P. Hewett. 14/Lond: R.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (1310 Pte. L. P. Hewett. 14-Lond. R.); Memorial Plaque (Leonard Percy Hewett) with Buckingham Palace enclosure; Memorial Scroll, ‘Pte. Leonard Percy Hewett 14 London Regt.’ in OHMS transmission tube, address label torn off, nearly extremely fine (4)
£160-£200
Leonard Percy Hewett was born on 16 July 1894 in Paddington, London and was a resident of Hanwell. He served with H Company of the London Scottish during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 September 1914 and was reported missing on 1 November following fighting at Messines the previous day. His date of death was recorded for official purposes as 1 November 1914.
Ray Westlake in British Battalions in France and Belgium 1914 uses a mixture of war diary extracts and eyewitness accounts to describe the multiple difficulties confronting the London Scottish at Messines on 31 October 1914: ‘Advanced up slopes of Messines Ridge to firing line just east of Messines- Wytschaete road. Heavy casualties among leading companies at crest of ridge. Enemy attacked about 9pm and were driven back by rifle fire and a series of charges. The rifles in use had been issued at Abbots Langley and were Mark 1 pattern converted to take Mark VII ammunition. Battalion records show that not a man had opportunity to fire the new weapons. It would soon be discovered that the magazines had springs too weak and that front stop clips were the wrong shape for Mark V II rounds. The rifles could only be used as single-loaders. However, Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay notes that - “steady shooting beat off the attack.” A second attack was also repulsed - “remembered it was Hallowe’en... saw a party of men in kilts in our rear. Did not know if they were our men of Germans. They got within a dozen yards, when we saw they were wore spiked helmets, and shot them. Were attacked in both front and rear.”, wrote one man present. A third attack forces the Scottish back - “they advanced in quarter column with a brass band playing at their head, playing the Austrian National Anthem.”
Another eyewitness mentions seeing the Medical Officer, Captain A. Mac Nab, bayoneted and killed whilst attending to the wounded. Forward trenches almost surrounded. Reserve line at Enfer charged the enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel Lindsay records - “a prolonged and confused struggle... there was hard fighting, bayonets were crossed, fire was exchanged at close quarters... officers, sergeants and men had to act on their own initiative.”’
The following extract is from War Service of the Staff of Coutts & Co. 1914-1918: ‘Leonard Percy Hewett entered the service of Coutts Bank at 440 Strand on the 14th October 1912, and in 1914 was employed in the Securities Department. He joined the London Scottish in 1910 at the age of 16 years 6 months, and at the outbreak of war was mobilised with that Battalion. A short time after, he proceeded to France with them and took part in the First Battle of Messines in October, after which engagement he was reported missing on the 1st November 1914. No further tidings being received, the War Office in due course presumed his death.’
Hewitt was the son of Mr. L. W. Hewett, of 10, Milton Rd., Hanwell, London and, having no known grave is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium and also on the Coutts Bank War Memorial, The Strand, Charing Cross, London.
Sold together with an old photograph of the Coutts Bank War Memorial.
www.dnw.co.uk all lots are illustrated on our website and are subject to buyers’ premium at 24% (+VAT where applicable)
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