Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Victory Medal 1914-19 (9) (14-452 Pte. E. Phillips. York & Lanc. R.; 1088 Pte. J. A. Martin. York & Lanc. R.; 63082 Pte. F. Toole. Lan. Fus.; 25846 Pte. J. Fawcett. Lan. Fus.; 6375 Pte. J. Mathieson. Lan. Fus.; 14-452 30595 Pte. R. Ollerhead. Lan. Fus.; 2852 Pte. S. E. Betts. Lan. Fus.; 203130 Pte. S. Parry. Lan. Fus.; 20865 Pte. W. Wilson. Lan. Fus.) very fine or better (9) £80-120

Edward Phillips was born in Hanley, Staffordshire and was a resident of Barnsley. He enlisted into the 14th (Service) Battalion (Barnsley), York and Lancaster Regiment, landing in Egypt in December 1915 and moved with his battalion to the Western Front the following March. He was captured and taken prisoner on 1 July 1916 when his battalion attacked Serre on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He died as a prisoner of war a week later on 8 July 1916 and is buried in Caudry Old Communal Cemetery, France.

John Arthur Martin, a native of Barnsley, enlisted into the York & Lancaster Regiment on 11 January 1910. He served as a drummer with the 1/5th Battalion, landing in France on 13 April 1915. He was killed in action on 14 August 1915 while his battalion occupied front line trenches on the Ypres Salient. Between 11-15 August, they were subjected to very heavy and accurate trench mortar fire, killing 12 and wounding 35 others. He is buried in Talana Farm Cemetery, Belgium.
Sold with original card box of issue.

Francis Toole, a native of St. Helens, served on the Western Front with the 16th (Service) Battalion (2nd Salford), Lancashire Fusiliers. He was killed in action on 4 November 1918 during his battalion’s final advance to Picardy. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France.

John Fawcett, a resident of Higher Broughton, Lancashire originally enlisted into the Royal Artillery before serving on the Western Front with the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. He died tragically on 12 December 1916 in the trenches at Saillisel, Somme, having been stuck in the mud for over 24 hours following a trench collapse, eventually succumbing to exposure. The entry from the war diary reads:
‘Trenches in very bad condition, also all the ground around them – trenches impassable and falling in fast all round. Collapse tried to be prevented but was quicker than the men could dig... 2 other ranks died of exposure having been stuck in the mud for over 24 hours.’
Fawcett is buried in Combles Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

John Mathieson enlisted on 7 September 1914 and served with the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. On 20 September 1916 he was admitted to 19th General Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt while attached to the 1st Garrison Battalion, King’s (Liverpool Regiment). He was invalided home, then transferring to the 392nd Home Service Company, Labour Corps. He was discharged from the army on 12 February 1918, no longer physically fit for active service.

Richard Ollerhead enlisted on 1 January 1916 and served on the Western Front with the 19th (Service) Battalion (3rd Salford) (Pioneers), Lancashire Fusiliers. He was later posted to the 1/5th Battalion and was discharged from the army on 19 September 1918, no longer physically fit for active service.

Samuel Edward Betts enlisted on 9 November 1914 and served 1/7th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, landing at Gallipoli on 22 June 1915. He was discharged from the army on 21 March 1919, being surplus to military requirements, having suffered impairment since entry into the service.

Sydney Parry served on the Western Front with the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

Willie Wilson enlisted on 3 December 1915 and served on the Western Front with the 18th (Service) Battalion (2nd South East Lancashire), Lancashire Fusiliers. He was discharged from the army on 2 November 1917, no longer physically fit for active service.