The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals 159 Family group:
Three: Private W. Larkins, 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), who was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle in March 1915, and was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches
1914 Star, with copy clasp (L-11005 Pte. W. Larkin [sic]. 2/Middx: R.); British War and Victory Medals (L-11005 Pte. W. Larkins. Midd’x R.); Memorial Plaque (William Larkins); Memorial Scroll, ‘Pte. William Larkins, Middlesex Regiment’ in flattened OHMS transmission tube, nearly extremely fine
Three: Gunner G. Larkins, Royal Artillery, who died of disease caused by exposure while on active service on 27 November 1916
1914-15 Star (41413 Gnr: G. Larkins. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (41413 Gnr. G. Larkins. R.A.) good very fine (8)
£300-£400 M.I.D. London Gazette 22 June 1915
William Larkins was born in Limehouse, Middlesex and attested for the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) at Stratford, Essex in 1906. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 7 November 1914, and was killed in action between 10 and 14 March 1915, during which period the 2nd Middlesex Regiment attacked and occupied the German trenches at Neuve Chapelle. The battalion was relieved from its consolidated position on 14 March having suffered casualties of 473 killed, wounded or missing. Larkins was posthumously mentioned for gallant and distinguished services in the field by Field Marshal French in his Despatch of 31 May 1915. Larkins’ date of death was recorded for official purposes as 14 March 1914 and having no known grave, he is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France.
George Larkins, brother of the above, who was born in 1888 at Limehouse, Middlesex, and attested for the Royal Regiment of Artillery at ‘St. Paul’s Churchyard’ on 16 October 1914. He served during the Great War on the Western Front with the Royal Field Artillery from 22 December 1914. He was hospitalised in the field and repatriated on 29 January 1915 to England where he was diagnosed with chronic albuminuria caused by exposure while on active service. Gunner Larkins was discharged permanently unfit on 29 July 1915 and died on 27 November 1916. He is buried in Leytonstone (St. Patrick’s) Roman Catholic Cemetery.
Sold together with a quantity of ephemera relating to William and George Larkins including original M.I.D. certificate named to ‘Middlesex Regiment, 11005 Pte. W. Larkins, (died)’, mounted on card, in very poor condition; photographs, letters, original army documents. Also together with ephemera relating to a third brother Alfred Larkins - who served with the Rifle Brigade on the Western Front from 21 September 1914 and was taken prisoner of war at Juvincourt on 27 May 1918 - including Buckingham Palace welcome home letter and a number of Army Forms and documents.
160
Three: Sergeant S. F. Blundell, 2nd Battalion, later 11th (Service) Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), who was killed in action in the attack on Observation Ridge, during the First Battle of the Scarpe, on 9 April 1917
1914 Star (L-13101 Pte. S. Blundell. 2/Middx: R.); British War and Victory Medals (L-13101 Sjt. S. Blundell. Midd’x R.); Memorial Plaque (Sidney Blundell) the Star somewhat polished, otherwise very fine (4)
£200-£240
Sidney Frederick Blundell was born in 1893 at Islington, London and attested for the Middlesex Regiment at Mill Hill on 21 September 1910 having previously served 5 months in the 5th Middlesex Regiment Special Reserve. Posted to the 2nd Battalion on 1 December 1910, he then served with the 1st Battalion in Aden from November 1912 until December 1913. This was followed by a posting to Malta with the 2nd Battalion until September 1914.
Blundell served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 5 November 1914 and was invalided to England having suffered a scalp wound on 9 January 1915, whilst in trenches north of Neuve Chapelle in the Rue de Bacquerot sector. On 29 June, his wounds sufficiently healed, he was posted back to France to join the 11th (Service) Battalion of his Regiment and was promoted Corporal on 8 March 1916 and Sergeant on 9 August 1916. He suffered a gun shot wound to the right leg on 10 October 1916 during the Battle of Le Transloy Ridges, where the battalion moved up to the front line on 7 October and incurred heavy casualties under sustained shelling.
Blundell was killed in action in France on 9 April 1917 during the 36th Brigade’s attack on Observation Ridge at the First Battle of the Scarpe. The War Diary of the 11th Battalion stating: ‘The Battalion went over the top as practised on the training ground. The Artillery work was splendid and never really gave the Bosche a chance. Our fellows took full advantage of the different barrages and quickly captured the objectives i.e., the Black Line (Hertford Trench).’
The losses during the day were 6 officers and approximately 100 other ranks killed, wounded and missing.
He was the son of Mrs Laura Ann Blundell, of 103 Tollington Rd., Holloway, London and having no known grave is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
Sold together with the recipient’s Soldier’s Small book; Army Form B. 104-82, dated 28 April 1917, informing the recipient’s mother of his death; Record Office transmittal letter for British War and Victory Medals; and the recipient’s brother’s August 1919 death certificate.
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