The Great War Medal Collection of Robin H.J. Darvell

Pair: Second Lieutenant Walter Rowland Heath, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, killed in action, in an attack near Thiepval, 23 August 1916

British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.) extremely fine (2) £100-140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Great War Medal Collection of Robin H.J. Darvell.

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Second Lieutenant Walter Rowland Heath, 1st/1st Bucks. Battalion, Oxford. & Bucks Light Infantry, was killed in action on 23 August 1916, aged 37 years. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He was the son of Richard and Jane Elizabeth Heath of “Handford”, Salisbury Road, Herne Bay, Kent.

‘August 23rd- The Battalion relieved the 6th Glosters in the trenches between Ovillers and Thiepval, with orders to carry out an attack on the enemy’s forward positions. A and C Companies were detailed for this attack, which was timed for 3.5 p.m. From 1 p.m. to 2.45 p.m. the heavy artillery carried out a bombardment which not only had no effect on the enemy trenches, but in fact served to define the precise limits of the objective. At 3 p.m. an intense bombardment was put down for five minutes by the Field Artillery, under cover of which the assault was launches. The barrage was good, but evidently short, as, when it lifted, the attacking troops had still some way to go, and the enemy was manning the trenches thickly, apparently very little affected by it, and firing hard on our men. In addition, the enemy barrage came down immediately after our own. The result of this was that casualties were very heavy and progress impossible. 2nd Lieut. Bates, who was commanding C Company, ran forward to try and push the position, but was instantly killed. ... On the left A Company’s fate was much the same, 2nd Lieut. Heath being killed .... The result was that the remnants of the two companies had to lie where they were until dark. .... The losses in the two companies .... were irreparable, and in 2nd Lieuts. Bates and Heath the Battalion lost two very able and gallant officers.’ (Ref. The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Chronicle 1916-1917)

With damaged card boxes of issue, with accompanying slip; damaged registered envelope and copied research.