Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Second Lieutenant M. S. Straight, Essex Regiment, late 11th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was killed in Gallipoli on 24 December 1915

1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. M. S. Straight. Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. M. S. Straight) BWM and VM both officially re-impressed; Memorial Plaque (Marshall Stuart Straight); Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (2nd Lieut. M. Straight.) good very fine (5) £300-£400

Marshall Stuart Straight was born in Springfield, Chelmsford, Essex, on 3 October 1889, and was educated at King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford, and Haileybury College. After serving for three and a half years in the 5th (Territorial) Battalion, Essex Regiment, being commissioned Second Lieutenant on 20 April 1909, he emigrated to Canada in 1911 to work as a land agent in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Following the outbreak of the Great War, Straight attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Valcartier on 23 September 1914, and was posted to the 11th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Landing in England on 22 October, he was advanced Sergeant and was subsequently commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 12th (Reserve) Battalion, Essex Regiment. He served attached to the 1st Battalion during the Great War in Gallipoli theatre of war from 22 September 1915, and was killed on “W” Beach, Helles, Gallipoli, on Christmas Eve of that year, by a bomb dropped from an enemy aircraft.

Captain John Gilliam, a Supply Officer of the 88th Brigade, wrote in his diary: ‘As we are at tea, four enemy machines sweep over “W” Beach, and shortly after I hear the sound of dropping bombs as they circle round and round. Our anti-aircraft guns (not plentiful) endeavour to bring them down, but they circle round unconcerned, and having discharged about thirty bombs, swing round and make for their back lines, keeping out to sea off the coast.
I get back to the beach and find that their bombs have caused many casualties. To my great sorrow I learn that Cox, of the Essex, has been hit clean with one, and also a friend of the same regiment [Straight], both killed instantly. They had come down from the rest camp to purchase some luxuries for the canteen for Christmas Day. After sticking it all this time to be killed like this, just two weeks before the time when the Division is to be relieved for good. And now there are no more of the original Essex officers left.’

Straight is buried in Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Turkey, and is also commemorated in Chelmsford Cathedral.

Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient from his Haileybury days.