A Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties

Pair: Lieutenant H. W. Froud, Durham Light Infantry, who was mortally wounded on the Western Front leading a night raid on the enemy’s trenches near Chérisy, and died of wounds later that day, on 27 July 1917

British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. H. W. Froud.); Memorial Plaque (Harold William Froud) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure, extremely fine (3) £100-£140

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

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Harold William Froud was born in Christchurch, Hampshire, on 19 June 1889, and was educated at Bournemouth School. A keen footballer, he played as a half-back for Bournemouth Football Club. Following the outbreak of the Great War he attested for the 28th Battalion (Artists’ Rifles), London Regiment on 18 May 1915, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry on 30 October 1915. He served with the 5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 July 1916, was mortally wounded during the night of 26-27 July 1917, and died of wounds at No. 45 Casualty Clearing Station on 27 July 1917.

The Battalion History, by Major A. L. Raimes, gives the following account:
‘On the night of 26-27 July a party of one officer and 22 men, all volunteers, attempted a raid on a section of the German trenches near Chérisy, known as Narrow trench. They left our lines at 12:30 a.m. but, unfortunately, it was a light night, and they were seen crossing No-Man’s Land. The enemy waited till they reached their wire, and then greeted them with a shower of bombs. Lieutenant H. W. Froud, who was leading the party, was mortally wounded, seven of the men were killed or wounded, and the remainder had no alternative but to retire. One of the men who was killed had volunteered so as to atone for some misdeed for which he had been court-martialled. He was last seen falling into the German trench, with a bayonet through his body, and his hands fast on his enemy’s throat. Another man had volunteered to avenge the death of his son who had been killed in a previous action.’

In a letter to the recipient’s parents, Froud’s Commanding Officer wrote: ‘I cannot speak too highly of your son as a gallant soldier and a true English gentleman respected by all officers and men of his regiment. I selected him with a party from his Company to do a small raid on the German trenches. Unfortunately I am afraid the enemy suspected this and were ready to receive the party with bombs, seven out of twelve in the party being hit, including your son, who was hit in several places When I saw him at the dressing-station we hoped he would go on all right, but I am afraid some small piece must have pierced him internally. I feel the loss personally, for your son was very popular with us, and I was most anxious to get him back again to the battalion after he was hit last year.’

Another officer wrote: ‘Harold died yesterday, at the casualty clearing station, from wounds received the night before. He was detailed to take out a raiding party to attack the German trenches in front. When he and his men were within fifteen yards of the German lines they assailed with bombs, and he received a number of wounds. he was brought in and was quite conscious and able to talk about what had happened. It was believed he was not dangerously wounded, but one of the small pieces must have penetrated a vital spot, and he died yesterday afternoon at the station to which he was taken. I need hardly tell you how much we all miss him. He was one of our best officers and one of the most popular with the men. I feel it is banal to offer you sympathy; what I want is that you should know he died splendidly.’

Froud is buried in Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Sold with a photographic image of the recipient; and copied research.