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Auction: 22101 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 274

Pair: Lance-Corporal C. H. Salkeld, 12th Battalion (Sheffield), York and Lancaster Regiment, who was killed in action on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916

British War and Victory Medals (12-1038 Pte. C. H. Salkeld. York & Lanc. R.), good very fine (2)

Charles Henry Salkeld was born at Kimberworth, Yorkshire in October 1891, the son of Thomas and Jane Salkeld of 151 Church Street, Kimberworth, Rotherham. Working as an Invoice Clerk for a steel works prior to enlistment it may have been through his work that Salkeld found himself in Sheffield on the outbreak of war. Enlisting here with the 12th (Sheffield) Battalion, also called the 'Sheffield Pals' no records remain of when he joined. It is possible Salkeld joined the war in Egypt where the Battalion served garrison duty, embarking on 20 December 1915. This did not last long however and on 10 March 1916 they embarked for France. Taking their place in the line the Battalion was soon to take part in the Somme Offensive, along with 11th (Accrington) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, the 'Accrington Pals' they were to attack the village of Serre. Coming under heavy machine gun and artillery fire immediately upon advancing they managed to push through to the village. Only about 80 to 100 men made it inside, leading to reports of the village's capture, however none of these were ever seen again. British troops again entered Serre on 13 November and here they found a number of corpses dressed in the uniform of the 12th Battalion in the North West of the village. Salkeld was killed in the attack and his resting place is unknown, he is commemorated upon the Thiepval Memorial; sold together with copied research including census data, M.I.C., Commonwealth War Graves details and typed research into the attack on Serre.

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Sold for
£600

Starting price
£240