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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 1059

British War Medal 1914-20 (422 Cpl. G. R. Heathcote. 24-M. G. Coy. A.I.F.), good very fine

Gordon Roy Heathcote was born at Kew, Victoria in January 1893 and was an optician by trade upon his enlistment on 28 August 1916. Promoted Corporal on 2 April 1917 he served in France from 6 September and was killed 'outright by shellfire' in action on 16 October. He was on watch for the SOS at midnight and was struck by a shell while standing by his gun. Heathcote was carried into an Officer's dugout but died without regaining consciousness and was buried at Zonnebeke Ridge. Corporal Redford (who earned a DCM, MM and MSM) buried Heathcote and found it impossible to remove him to a Cemetery due to '...several miles of mud, knee deep and with such a vast number of shells falling around us.'

Heathcote is commemorated upon the Ypres Memorial; sold together with copied Service Record and two photographs which identify him.

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Sold for
£70

Starting price
£20