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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 408

(x) 'He was killed instantaneously by a bullet, so he did not suffer any pain. One of the old battalion, he was very dear to us, and his loss will be greatly felt. A good brave fellow, he died fighting hard'

An extract from a letter written by Colonel Torrens, 10th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, refers

The campaign group of three awarded to Lieutenant C. Dutton, 'B' Company, 10th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was killed in action at Mametz Wood during the first week of the Somme Offensive on 7 July 1916

1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. C. Dutton. Lan. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. C. Dutton.), good very fine (3)

Charles Dutton was born in 1890, the son of James Dutton of Acresfield and Cranford, Heaton. Young Dutton was educated at Hutton Grammar School, Preston and later Shrewsbury School before starting his studies to join his father as a lawyer.

Upon the outbreak of war he attempted the join the army as a dispatch rider, being a passionate motorcycle rider, however he was to be disappointed as there was no opening for him. Dutton then applied for a commission in the Lancashire Fusiliers but on receiving no reply and desperate to do his bit he enlisted with the 16th (Public Schools) Battalion, Manchester Regiment. While serving with this unit at Epsom he was informed that his application had been successful and he was Commissioned into the 10th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers as a Second Lieutenant.

Posted to 'B' Company he entered the war in France in 1915, likely in July with the rest of the Battalion, and was posted to the Ypres Salient. The 10th Battalion saw action here at the Bluff between February-March 1916 before moving south as part of the build-up of forces for the Somme Offensive. Here they went into action on the Second and Third days around Fricourt before moving to Mametz Wood on Fifth day.

They began their assault upon Quadrangle Trench on the night of 7 July but unfortunately the enemy were on alert. The fighting was extremely bloody but the Fusiliers managed to lodge themselves in positions beyond Quadrangle Trench long enough for support to arrive and a follow up attack be launched. The village of Contalmaison fell but was re-taken in German counterattacks not long later. At the end of the battle the regiment had suffered casualties of five officers and 79 other ranks. Dutton was killed in the fighting and is commemorated upon the Thiepval Memorial; sold together with copied obituaries and typed research.

For the medals of Dutton's comrade in 'B' Company, killed in the same attack see Lot 449.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£400

Starting price
£130