Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to include a Fine Collection of Napoleonic Medals

Six: Company Quarter-Master Sergeant C. Cant, Royal Munster Fusiliers, who was killed in action with the 1st Battalion’s during the famous landings on ‘V’ Beach, Gallipoli on 25 April 1915

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Belmont, Transvaal, Wittebergen (5244 Pte. C. Cant, Munster Fus.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5244 Corpl. C. Cant, Munster Fus.); 1914-15 Star (5244 C.Q.M. Sjt. C. Cant, R. Muns. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (5244 C. Sjt. C. Cant, R. Mun. Fus.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (5244 Sjt. C. Cant, R. Muns. Fus.), the first with with contact marks and polished, good fine, the remainder generally very fine or better (6) £1200-1500

Charles (William) Cant was killed in action in the famous landings at ‘V’ Beach, Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.

The story of the Munster Fusiliers’ landing on ‘V’ Beach is synonymous with that of the River Clyde, the 1st Battalion’s ranks being decimated as they approached the beach in assorted lighters. According to the regimental history, ‘the sight was ghastly, the water all along the shore and especially around the boats was red with blood.’ In his despatch dated 25 May 1915, Sir Ian Hamilton stated:

‘A company of the Munster Fusiliers led the way, but, short as was the distance, few of the men ever reached the farther side of the beach through the hail of bullets which poured down upon them from both flanks and the front. As the second company followed, the extemporised pier of lighters gave way in the current. The end nearest to the shore drifted into deep water, and many men who had escaped being shot were drowned by the weight of their equipment in trying to swim from the lighter to the beach ... the third company of Munster Fusiliers rushed ashore, suffering heavy loss this time from shrapnel as well as from rifle, pom-pom and machine-gun fire.’

Cant, who was 35 years old, left a widow, Lavinia Cant, of Brandwood Street, Bolton, and is commemorated on a special memorial headstone in the ‘V’ Beach Cemetery, Helles; sold with medal roll verification in respect of his Queen’s South Africa Medal & 3 clasps.