The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals 145
Three: Lance-Corporal J. H. Barnes, 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), later Army Cyclist Corps, who was killed in action whilst attempting to carry a despatch through the German lines at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle on 9 March 1915
1914 Star, with copy clasp (11076 Pte. J. H. Barnes. 1/Notts: & Derby: R.); British War and Victory Medals (11076 Pte. J. H. Barnes. Notts & Derby. R.) with O.H.M.S. outer envelope addressed to ‘Mr. J. Barnes, Clapgun Street, Castle Donington, Nr Derby.’; Memorial Plaque (James Henry Barnes) in card envelope, good very fine (4)
£240-£280
James Henry Barnes was born in 1890 at Castle Donington, Leicestershire and was a Motor Engineer by occupation prior to attesting for the Sherwood Foresters at Nottingham on 13 January 1909. He served with the 1st Battalion in India from October 1909 until called home in October 1914 to fight in the Great War. He served in France with the 1st Battalion from 4 November 1914 and was appointed Paid Lance Corporal In the Field on 11 November 1914. Having transferred to the 8th Divisional Company, Army Cyclist Corps, as a despatch rider, on 8 January 1915, he was killed in action on 9 March 1915: ‘He was the only man to volunteer to carry a despatch through the German lines during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. Although warned of the great danger, he was willing to take the risk and was killed when within 100 yards of the German lines.’ (Newspaper cutting with lot).
Lance Corporal Barnes was the eldest son of James and Rhoda Barnes of Clapgun Street, Castle Donington. James Barnes senior had himself served in the army as a Bandsman for 12 years, including during the First Boer War, when ‘he was one of the first to respond to the call for volunteers from his regiment, the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, for the assault on Majuba Hill.’
Barnes has no known grave and is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France, although a hand-written Red Cross note with the lot states ‘He was buried 100 yards south of the cross roads, which lie south of Chapigny near Aubers in Flanders. It is on the Battlefield marked Square M.29 b.7.6.’
Sold also with the following items: a hand-written note from Corporal W. Evans, 1384, 8th Divisional Cyclist Corps, dated 16 March 1915: ‘Herewith please find the personal effects of 1385 L Cpl J. Barnes, please acknowledge receipt and oblige. Yours sincerely.’; an empty Princess Mary 1914 Christmas Tin; a photograph of the recipient’s father, 72mm x 107mm; an embroidered depiction of a cenotaph with flags and wreaths, on black background, cotton, 65 cm x 65 cm, with the words, ‘In loving memory of James H. Barnes. Killed in action March 12, 1915. Aged 26 years. R.I.P.’; various newspaper cuttings and copied research.
146
Three: Private H. Trussell, 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), who was captured and taken prisoner of war when his battalion was overwhelmed by superior numbers at Ennetières during the Battle of Armentières on 20 October 1914
1914 Star, with clasp (8727 Pte. H. Trussell. 2/Notts: & Derby: R.); British War and Victory Medals (8727 Pte. H. Trussell. Notts. & Derby. R.); together with a Sherwood Foresters cap badge, good very fine (3)
£200-£240
Harry Trussell was born in 1886 at Ilkeston, Derbyshire and attested for the Sherwood Foresters in 1903. He served with “C” Company in the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 19 September 1914, joining his battalion shortly after the fighting on the Aisne. The battalion entrained for St. Omer on 9 October and moved into the Vieux Bergin area three days later. Crossing the Lys, they cleared the enemy from Sailly and continuing to advance, relieved the 2nd Durham Light Infantry at Ennetières on 18 October. The enemy, which German sources estimate to have been one entire Division plus one Brigade, then attacked the battalion who were ordered to fall back to the high ground at La Vallée. The retiring troops became surrounded during the retreat and were forced to surrender. A small group of survivors from the battalion, 2 officers and 49 other ranks managed to hold a ridge near the La Vallée Windmill and drove off the Germans last attack at 7.30pm before retiring to Fetus.
Brigadier-General W. N. Congreve, V.C. (O.C. 18th Brigade) afterwards wrote to the Colonel of the Sherwood Foresters describing how his 2nd Battalion had held their line at Ennetières under constant attack for 48 hours and on 20 October were, ‘just worn out and overwhelmed by superior numbers.’
Approximate casualty numbers for the 2nd Sherwood Foresters during the period 18-20 October were: Officers - 3 killed, 3 wounded and 10 captured; Other ranks - 710 either killed, wounded or captured. Private Trussell was among those captured at Ennetières on 20 October 1914, and was held prisoner of war for the remainder of the conflict at Münster, Germany.
147
Three: Private J. Paradise, 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who was killed in the attack at Troyon, during the battle of the Aisne, on 14 September 1914
1914 Star, with copy clasp (9397 Pte. J. Paradise. L. N. Lan: R.); British War and Victory Medals (9397 Pte. J. Paradise. L. N. Lan. R.); Memorial Plaque (John Paradise) nearly extremely fine (4)
£240-£280
John Paradise was born in 1891 at Hammersmith, Middlesex and attested for the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment at Dover, Kent in 1908. He served with ‘B’ Company in the 1st Battalion as part of the 2nd Infantry Brigade during the Great War on the Western Front from 12 August 1914 and was killed in action in the attack at Troyon on 14 September 1914 - a day of bitter fighting sometimes referred to as the ‘real battle of the Aisne’. On this day, Haig’s immediate objective was the Chemin Des Dames above Troyon and, to this end, the 2nd Brigade were tasked with taking the sugar factory at the crossroads north of Troyon. Here the Germans has established a strong position with many machine guns in enfilading lines of fire and with formidable artillery to the rear: ‘This was at 10.30am on the 14th, and two and a half companies of the Battalion were sent up the right of the 2nd King’s Royal Rifles, one company was ordered to support the Royal Sussex, the remining half-company being held in reserve at Vendresse. The position was reached, the factory carried and held; but the enemy was in great strength and counter attacked heavily, while the Battalion ammunition began to run out, and the 2nd Brigade was ordered to fall back to the ridge previously occupied, arriving there about 3pm and ‘digging in’. The losses incurred this day by the Battalion, in this its first general action of the war, amounted to fourteen officers and over 500 non- commissioned officers and men killed, wounded and missing, and in “B” Company alone three officers out of five and 175 out of 220 other ranks were casualties.’ (Loyal North Lancashire Regiment 1914-1919 by Colonel H. C. Wylie refers)
Private Troyon was initially reported wounded and missing on 14 September 1914 and only later confirmed killed in action on this date. He was the husband of Harriet Paradise and is buried in Vendresse British Cemetery, France.
Sold together with a photo of the recipient’s headstone and three photos of the Vendresse British Cemetery.
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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