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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 204

Three: Gunner C. W. Neal, Royal Field Artillery, who was one of the few to come out from the action at Le Cateau on 26 August 1914 - despite himself being wounded - on the occasion that three of his comrades won themselves the Victoria Cross

1914 Star, with copy slide clasp (73377 Gnr: C. W. Neal. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (73377 Gnr. C. W. Neal. R.A.), good very fine (3)

Charles William Neal was born at Fulham, London in 1894 and enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery on 20 October 1913. Upon the outbreak of the Great War Neal served in France with 37th (Howitzer) Battery from 19 August 1914. His Battery were thrown into the thick of action from 0600hrs on 26 August 1914, by this time in the area around Le Cateau and thankfully found themselves in a less exposed position than some other comrades. The tide began to turn however, as they soon began to take hits, Major Jones, Captain Leach and the Battery Sergeant-Major all being wounded but refusing to stand down from their duty. The Battery stuck to its orders and kept up their rate of fire on the enemy positions, who had by now zeroed in on the Gunners. Casualties began to mount, one Section alone lost two Sergeants and six Gunners from just one salvo. The situation was now becoming perilous, the risk that all six guns might fall led to the Battery being ordered to retire, in which Captain Reynolds began by bringing out the two centre guns, which were soon followed by those on the right. On the left flank the two guns remained in action, coming under closer and closer fire from the enemy. A valiant attempt to bring them both out was mustered and one was able to get away. In the process of bringing the other away, several of the horses were hit and the gun had to be abandoned.

At the conclusion of the action, one of the heroic stands of the early days of the Great War, no less than three Victoria Crosses were awarded, to Captain Reynolds and Gunners Drain and Luke. Neal was wounded in the right ankle and was one of few who escaped going 'in the bag' like so many of his comrades. He returned to England for treatment on 29 August 1914. Neal would latterly serve with the 3rd Battalion, Manchester Regiment and the Machine Gun Corps. His son, Sergeant (Air Gunner) Donald Albert Neal, was killed in action on 14/15 January 1944, whilst flying his 27th Op with No. 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force; sold together with copied research and an original image of his son's grave.

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Sold for
£1,600

Starting price
£350