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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 850

(x) A poignant group of three and Memorial Plaque awarded to Private S. J. Bright, Manchester Regiment, who was killed in action attempting to advance inland from Suvla Bay along a highly exposed ridge line subject to intense Turkish artillery and rifle fire

1914-15 Star (3696 Pte. S. J. Bright. Manch: R.); British War and Victory Medals (3696 Pte. S. J. Bright. Manch. R.), with bronze memorial plaque to 'Simeon James Bright', minor contact marks, good very fine (4)


Simeon James Bright was born in October 1880 at Barley, Royston, the son of Richard T. Bright and husband to Mary Bright of Eden Grove Lodge, Crosby-on-Eden, Carlisle. The father of three young children, he served with the 11th (Service) Battalion of the Manchester Regiment in the Balkan theatre of operations from 14 July 1915.

The 11th Battalion landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, under heavy fire from Lala Baba on 6 August 1915. Capturing the trenches at Ghazi Baba and a signal-post at Biyuk Kemikli, the Manchesters moved against the trenches north and east of Ghazi Baba at the point of the bayonet, the Turks retiring on Karakol Dagh. The ground traversed was very rough and difficult, and several men including the medical officer and stretcher-bearers, lost touch with their comrades, and were either killed or fell into the hands of the enemy (The Manchester Regiment 1758-1958, The Eleventh Battalion, refers).

When day broke on 7 August 1915 the Battalion was astride the ridge of Karakol Dagh, about half a mile inland, facing the Turks who had massed overnight in considerable strength. The British vulnerability was heightened further by the fact that 300 rifles were out of action for several hours owing to their having become clogged with sand and salt water on landing. Commencing an attack towards Hill 10, the Manchester's succeeded in advancing along the ridge about three miles inland, but their initial success was brought to a standstill by enfilade fire on both sides.

Unable to communicate with Brigade Headquarters, the men began to suffer from enemy artillery and small arms fire, together with the oppressive heat and a lack of water on such an exposed location. The survivors were relieved at 2am the next day and were sent back into reserve, leaving the 9th Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment to storm Lala Baba from the south.

Bright was killed in action at around this time, his MIC noting 'death assumed 7.8.15'. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial; sold with copied MIC, roll entries and research.


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Sold for
£380

Starting price
£170