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Auction: 17002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 280

(x) Leicestershire Yeomanry

Three: Corporal W. Wifford, Leicestershire Yeomanry, who likely stood his ground at Frezenberg Ridge in May 1915 when, at high cost, he and his comrades rallied to their C.O's call: 'Hold firm Leicestershire Yeomanry!'

1914 Star (2066 Pte. W. Wilford, Leic. Yeo.), note surname spelling; British War and Victory Medals (2066 Cpl. W. Wifford, Leic. Yeo.), mounted as worn, contact marks and polished, good fine (3)

William Wifford arrived in France as a Private in the 1/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry on 2 November 1914. His unit joined 3rd Cavalry Division, one of just six yeomanry regiments to be posted to a regular Cavalry Division in the Great War and fought at the First Battle of Ypres.

It was, however, at Frezenberg Ridge - during the Second Battle of Ypres on 12 May 1915 - that the 1/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry gained wide acclaim, 'A' Squadron of the regiment holding the line for its entire brigade. Spurred on by the rallying cry of Lieutenant-Colonel The Hon. Percy Evans-Freke - 'Hold hard Leicestershire Yeomanry!' - the men of 'A' Squadron did just that but at great cost: by the morning of the 13th, seven officers - including Evans-Freke and two Squadron Commanders - and 87 other ranks had been killed; the unscathed numbered just 92 other ranks.

Notwithstanding such losses, the Leicester Yeomen participated in a successful counter-attack on the 14th and, led by a Brigade Major, and retook some trenches at the point of the bayonet; sold with copied MIC entry.


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Sold for
£230