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Auction: 18003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 378

Three: Private A. H. Power, 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment, who died during the Battle of the Somme, having previously served at Gallipoli

1914-15 Star (16843 Pte. A. H. Power, Essex. R.); British War and Victory Medals (16843 Pte. A. H. Power, Essex R.), good very fine (3)


Arthur Henry Power was the son of Patrick and Anastasia Power of 54, Hickling Road, Ilford, Essex. A native of Enniskillen, he served in the Gallipoli campaign from 10 June 1915. It was here on 5 August that the 1st Essex were heavily engaged at Suvla Bay attempting to take the first two Turkish defensive lines of trenches; 50 men were killed, 202 wounded and 180 were reported missing.

Following the evacuation of the Peninsula, the 1st Battalion spent a short time in Egypt before sailing for France and establishing a camp near Abbeville. On the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the Essex Regiment were heavily mauled in the attack on Beaumont-Hamel; the 1st Battalion casualties amounted to 9 officers and 209 other ranks, and the troops were heavily hampered by fallen men lying exposed in No Man's Land. Given the lack of progress, the order was soon given to retire to the original defence trenches, bringing in as many wounded as possible.

After a short period of patrols and artillery exchanges, the 1st Battalion subsequently retired behind the lines and the men were sent to rest camps where they participated in inter-brigade sporting competitions with the aim of boosting morale and improving the health prior to the assault on Gueudecourt on 12 October; the 10th and 13th Battalions in the meantime attacked Delville Wood and Waterlot Farm.

Arthur died on 5 August 1916, serving with 'C' Company, 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment, and is buried at Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery. His MIC records that he died of sickness, but according to the C.W.G.C. he died of wounds.


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Sold for
£110