Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Acting Corporal W. Terry, 5th (London Rifle Brigade) Battalion, London Regiment, who was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, on which date the Battalion suffered almost 600 casualties

1914-15 Star (1339. Pte. W. Terry. 5-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1339 A.Cpl. W. Terry. 5-Lond. R.); Memorial Plaque (Walter Terry) in card envelope, remnants of solder and small central indentation to reverse of plaque, otherwise extremely fine (4) £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties.

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Walter Terry was born in Stratford, Essex, and attested for the 5th (London Rifle Brigade) Battalion, London Regiment in London. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 2 September 1915, and was killed in action on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. On this date the Battalion was involved in the 56th (1st London) Division’s attack at Gommecourt, where they were driven out of the enemy trenches with great loss. In his report of the battle, Lieutenant-Colonel A. S. Bates gives the strength of his battalion at the time of assembly for action as 23 officers and 803 other ranks. At 5:00 p.m. in the British line he would count just 89 unwounded men. Total casualties were given in the Regimental history as 588.

Terry was amongst those killed. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.