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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 477

Victory Medal 1914-19 (3009 Pte. J. C. Florance, R. Suss. R.), abrasively cleaned, good fine

John Christopher Florance was born at Horsham, Sussex and first saw action with the 1/4th Battalion in Gallipoli, landing at 'C' Beach, Suvla Bay at midnight on 8 August 1915; the following day, Florance and his comrades supported a costly attack on Scimitar Hill. By early October, the Battalion's strength had been reduced to about 200 officers and men, as a result of which it was temporarily amalgamated with the 2/4th Queen's.

He subsequently served in the Egypt and Palestine operations and was killed in action at the First Battle of Gaza on 26 March 1917.

After an all-night march, the Battalion attacked on the right of a two-battalion front against a heavily fortified position known as The Labyrinth. Heavy casualties form the start at noon continued without pause. At 2.15 p.m., the Battalion was 'enfiladed by High-Explosive, shrapnel and machine-gun fire; many get killed and wounded … we stay for about an hour and it is hell … no water no rations.'

This single Victory Medal represents Florance's sacrifice as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial; his campaign medals were sent to his mother, Mrs. Emily Florance, of 3 Russell Terrace, Denton, Newhaven, Sussex.


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Estimate
£25 to £30