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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 702

(x) Three: Rifleman C. G. Walton, King's Royal Rifle Corps, who was discharged due to frostbite in April 1916

1914-15 Star (9404 Pte. C. G. Walton, K.R. Rif: C.); British War and Victory Medals (9404 Pte. C. G. Walton, K.R. Rif. C.), very fine (3)

Charles G. Walton was born at St. John, New Brunswick, Canada in 1878. He lived at 265 Charlotte Street, St. John, before embarking for Liverpool aboard the Empress of Ireland on 24 May 1907. He served in France with the 3rd Battalion, K.R.R.C., from 20 December 1914 and later transferred to the 6th (Reserve) Battalion.

By 1916 the use of the word 'frostbite' differed in critical ways to that quoted in the first winter of 1914-15. It occurred in conditions of sustained damp, irrespective of the temperature of the air, and was characterised by swelling, itchiness and blisters; 'frostbite' and 'trench feet' often co-occur in accounts from 1915 and 1916, and this may offer a better insight into the circumstances leading to Walton's discharge and award of the Silver War Badge. For further details, see:

https://www.wordsinwartime.wordpress.com/2016/02/02/winter-and-the-war-1915-16-from-frostbite-to-trench-foot


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Sold for
£60