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Auction: 22101 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 345

Three: Private. G. Moore, 96th Company, Machine Gun Corps, who was killed in action on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, while supporting the advance of the 16th Northumberland Fusiliers and the 18th Lancashire Fusiliers near Thiepval Wood

British War and Victory Medals (12360 Pte. G. Moore. M.G.C.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (George Moore), mounted for display, the last polished, very fine (3)

George Albert Charles Moore was born at Portsmouth, Hampshire in 1898, the son of Alexander and Ada Moore. Enlisting with the Hampshire Regiment he was later transferred to 96th Company, Machine Gun Corps. This unit was one of those which supported the advance of British troops in the Thiepval Wood sector on 1 July 1916. Two sections were to advance, one with 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, the other with 18th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. The section intended to support 16th Battalion was unable to do so as the mauling that formation took made any supporting fire redundant. The other section advanced in the wake of 18th Battalion and soon found themselves under artillery fire. Most of their number being killed or wounded by shrapnel including both officers and having one gun being buried they withdrew. It was clear that to advance further only risked the loss of more guns. The Company reserve did briefly advance but finding the line in enemy hands withdrew and prepared to receive a counter-attack. After some consolidation a force of three guns was sent forward to the 'Skinner Street' trenches just behind the front line to assist them. The Company had suffered heavy losses, particularly 'C' section and it is reasonably likely that Moore, who was killed in the fighting served with that unit in support of the Lancashire Fusiliers. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial; sold together with copied research including Commonwealth War Graves details, memorial scroll, War Diary extract relating to the First Day of the Somme and M.I.C. along with an original letter of entitlement.

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Sold for
£550

Starting price
£240