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Auction: 22102 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction VI - e-Auction
Lot: 290

Four: Able Seaman W. P. Merryweather, Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division, who was killed in action at the Battle of Ancre on 13 November 1916

1914-15 Star (Tz.5181. W. P. Merryweather. A.B., R.N.V.R.); British War and Victory Medals (T.Z. 5181 W. P. Merryweather. A.B. R.N.V.R.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (William Percy Merryweather), edge bruise and minor contact wear, very fine (4)

William Percy Merryweather was born at Dudley, Killingworth, Northumberland on 20 September 1886, the son of George and Mary Ann Merryweather of 7 Chapel Row, Dudley. Employed as a coal miner prior to enlistment he joined the Royal Navy on 10 June 1915. Drafted to Nelson Battalion from the 3rd Reserve Battalion on October 1915, joining them on 21 October. Evacuated from Gallipoli with the rest of his unit Merryweather returned to 3rd Reserve Battalion on 24 July 1915, possibly for rest before re-joining Nelson Battalion on 5 October 1915. Posted to France he arrived in Marseilles on 22 May 1916, disembarking from H.M.T. Ionian.

Merryweather was still with Nelson Battalion on the opening of the Battle of Ancre on 13 November 1916. The Battalion was to form part of the second wave, advancing behind Hawke and Hood Battalions towards German positions before Beaucourt Sur Ancre. They managed to pass the Redoubt, currently under attack by Drake Battalion and advanced upon the Green Line. Here however they came under heavy fire losing half of their men while assaulting the Station road. Merryweather was killed in the fighting and his body, initially not identified, was later buried at the Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel; sold together with copied research including Commonwealth War Graves details and service records.

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Sold for
£250

Starting price
£110