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Auction: 22002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 43

A rare Battalion Commander's Great War memorial plaque issued in remembrance of Lieutenant-Colonel F. H. S. Rendall, D.S.O., Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, who was mortally wounded leading a trench raid on the Thiepval Spur during the Battle of the Somme in July 1916, whilst commanding the 5th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment

He had earlier been twice mentioned in despatches in the Boer War, in which conflict he was reported missing in action after the Battle of Nooitgedacht but returned to his unit ten days later

Memorial Plaque 1914-1918 (Francis Holden Shuttleworth Rendall), good very fine

Francis Holden Shuttleworth Rendall was born on 20 November 1879 and was educated at Eton.

Originally commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd and 4th (Militia) Battalions, South Staffordshire Regiment on 23 February 1898, he was promoted Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion before he transferred to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Regular Army, on 20 May 1899, reverting in rank to 2nd Lieutenant.

He subsequently served with the 2nd Battalion, D.C.L.I. and the 2nd Battalion, Mounted Infantry in South Africa during the Boer War, including operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including Paardeberg (17 to 26 February) and the actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including the actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); and operations in Orange River Colony, May to 29 November 1900, including the actions at Wittebergen. He was reported missing in action after the Battle of Nooitgedacht on 13 December 1900, rejoining his unit ten days later. He was twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 10 September 1901 and 25 April 1902) and received the Queen's Medal & 6 clasps and the King's Medal & 2 clasps.

Rendall was advanced Captain on 6 August 1904 and appointed Adjutant of the 5th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), Territorial Force, on 30 September 1911, arriving in France with them on 14 April 1915. He obtained his Majority on 1 September 1915 and the following month was advanced to Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, taking command of the 5th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. It was for his services in this capacity that he was awarded the D.S.O. (London Gazette 16 January 1916, refers).

On 6 July 1916, near Thiepval, during the Battle of the Somme, Rendall led two bombing parties from his Battalion, totalling seven officers and 80 other ranks, to capture a trench: of these only 22 other ranks returned, Rendall being left behind wounded in a German dugout.

He died three days later on 9 July 1916, aged 37, leaving a widow and young daughter, and he is buried in Lebucquiere Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France.

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Sold for
£260

Starting price
£160