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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 236

A poignant Great War M.M. group of four awarded to Private H. Eno, 2/4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Jerusalem, fighting alongside the 5th Battalion, which included his elder brother, a unit he had originally served in as an under-age Boy Bugler

Military Medal G.V.R. (201496 Pte. H. Eno. 2/4 Som: L. I. - T. F.); British War and Victory Medals (201496 Pte. H. Eno. Som. L. I.), together with the recipient's Memorial Plaque (Henry Eno), toned, extremely fine (4)

M.M. London Gazette 10 April 1918.

Henry Eno, a native of Huish Episcopi, was born in 1898 and initially enlisted as a Boy Bugler, together with his brother Hubert, in the 5th Battalion. Transferred to the 2/4th Battalion, on account of the 5th Battalion being posted overseas and his being under-age, Eno was present for the operations around Jerusalem on 19 November and was mortally wounded. A letter from Matron S. W. Wooler, British Red Cross Society (Australian Branch) at 43 Station Hospital on 1 December 1917, states:

'Dear Mrs Eno,

Long before this reaches you, you will have heard the sad news of your son Pte. 201496 Eno's death & will be longing for a few particulars of his last few days.

He was sent to us from the Casualty Clearing Station arriving on the 23.11.17 having been badly wounded in the back, the bullet piercing his liver. On arrival he was in a very weak condition, but most patient & cheerful right up to the end.

He frequently talked of his brother who I think must have been in the same Regiment & when I told him before the end came that I would write to you for him, he seemed pleased but was too weak to send a definite message.

His thoughts were always of home & I'm sure towards the end he thought he was at home with you all. May you find comfort in your loss.'

Eno is buried in the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt, his gravestone bears the inscription 'Safe in the Arms of Jesus'; sold together with an original photograph and copied research.

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Sold for
£1,100