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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 849

(x) A fine group of three and Memorial Plaque awarded to Private F. L. West, Essex Regiment, late Norfolk Regiment, who was killed in action when the Battalion were heavily repulsed on 6 August 1915 during the Battle of Krithia Vineyard

1914-15 Star (20455 Pte. F. L. West. Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (20455 Pte. F. L. West. Essex R.), with bronze Memorial Plaque to 'Frederick Lionel West', minor verdigris to third, very fine (4)


Frederick Lionel West was born in 1884 at Fakenham, Norfolk, the son of Laura West. Raised by his aunt, Blanche Lane, the 1901 census records him living at Lawn View Terrace in Fakenham, and working as a mineral water factory worker. Enlisting at Norwich for the Norfolk Regiment, West transferred to the 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment, and served on the Gallipoli peninsula from 17 June 1915.

On 6 August 1915 the Battalion launched one final offensive at Cape Helles which was intended to be a minor action to divert attention from the imminent Allied landing to the north of Suvla Bay. Supported by the 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, the men performed well and successfully took the first two lines of Turkish trenches recorded as 'H12' and 'H12a', but the Allied artillery barrage was met by a fierce counter barrage of shrapnel and high explosive shells which created heavy casualties, the hardships faced in the trenches exacerbated by a desperate lack of water which eventually reached them later that evening in petrol tins. Despite orders to 'hold on at all costs', a counter attack by bomb and bayonet forced the survivors to surrender their gains and later withdraw out of the line to Gully Beach:

'By cruel luck the Turks had more men than normal in this area as they were planning an assault of their own later in the day. There was a very heavy toll for the gains with 50 men killed, 202 wounded and 180 missing' (The First Essex at Gallipoli, refers).

West was killed in action during this attack whilst serving with 'Z' Company of the 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment. He is remembered with honour at Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery; sold with copied MIC, census details and research.


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Sold for
£420

Starting price
£170