A Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties

Family Group:

Three: Second Lieutenant R. L. Hunt, Essex Regiment, late 16th Battalion, London Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 15 October 1916
1914-15 Star (3221 Pte. (A.Sjt.) R. L. Hunt. 16/ Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. R. L. Hunt.) housed in a fitted leather case, extremely fine

Pair: Second Lieutenant S. W. Hunt, Essex Regiment, late 16th Battalion, London Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 26 October 1916
British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. S. W. Hunt.) housed in a fitted leather case, extremely fine (5) £100-£140

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

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Ralph Leslie Hunt was born on 26 September 1888 and served pre-War for five years as a Sergeant in the 16th Battalion, London Regiment (Queen’s Westminster Rifles). He re-attested for his old Battalion on 10 September 1914, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 24 January 1915. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 11th Battalion, Essex Regiment on 23 December 1915, and was killed in action on the Somme on 15 October 1916.

The Regimental History gives the following account: ‘Detailed to attack Le Transloy trench system,the plan was for two companies each on a front of 100 yards to carry through to the final objective, with a third Company, commanded by Hunt, to follow the left company, and to place posts to guard the left as the advance continued. Zero hour was set for 5:35 a.m... There is little doubt that the German artillery opened up on our men before zero, when they were assembling, as Hunt was blown up before they moved off. The confusion probably caused our attack to move off late and lose the barrage on the right... The casualties were severe. Nine officers were killed, missing, or wounded, along with 164 other ranks.’

Hunt has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Sold with copied research.

Sidney William Hunt, brother of the above, attested for the 16th Battalion, London Regiment (Queen’s Westminster Rifles), and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 12th Battalion, Essex Regiment on 12 August 1915. He served on attachment with the 13th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 January 1916, and was killed in action on the Somme just eleven days after his brother, on 26 October 1916. He is buried in Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, France.

Sold with copied research.