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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 429

(x) 'He together with another scout was making an inspection of the wire in front of G.3 trench at Kemmel, when he was hit by a rifle bullet. His wounds were attended to, and he was removed to the Advance Dressing Station, where he died shortly afterwards.

The Casualty Report for the death of Private C. J. Letherby, refers

Three: Private C. J. Letherby, 28th (North West) Battalion, Canadian Infantry, 2nd Canadian Contingent, an early Canadian casualty who died of wounds on 22 November 1915

1914-15 Star (74016 Pte C. J. Letherby. 28/Can:Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (74016 Pte. C. J. Letherby. 28-Can. Inf.), minor edge wear, overall very fine (3)

Cecil John Letherby was born at Bridgewater, Somerset on 28 June 1892, the son of Richard and Sarah Letherby of 14 Alexandra Terrace, Bridgewater. Enlisting on 27 October 1914 with 28th (North West) Battalion, Canadian Infantry he entered the war in France on 18 September 1915. Letherby was died of wounds not long afterwards on 22 November 1915 while out scouting the German lines, he was shot through the thigh- shattering the bone- and died at the dressing station that same day. A letter from his commanding officer to his father states:

'No words of mine can soften the blow that has fallen on you and your family, but I want you to know that your son died as a man and a British soldier, doing a difficult and a dangerous duty, as he was always willing to do without question or complaint. I have the honour to command our little band of twenty Scouts, and they have always been considered the picked men of the battalion, ready for anything'

Letherby was buried at the Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery and is commemorated upon the Bridgewater War Memorial; sold together with copied service records, casualty lists and newspaper extracts as well as photographs and articles relating to 28th (North West) Battalion

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

Sold for
£150

Starting price
£100