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Auction: 23113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 451

Pair: Private C. H. Hill, 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who was killed in action on 26 April 1918 during an attack on Hangard Wood in support of a French Division

British War and Victory Medals (42855 Pte. C. H. Hill. Essex R.), good very fine (2)

Charles Henry Hill was born at Westminster, Middlesex in 1899 the son of Charles Henry and Elizabeth Ann Hill of 7 Glynfield Road, Harlesden, London. Enlisting at Willesden he noted that he was a resident of Harlesden at the time. Joining the war in France after 1916 Hill was stationed with 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment on 24 April 1918.

The unit was moved into the lines to support a French Moroccan Division attacking Hangard Wood on 25 April, however the attack was delayed until the next day. Poor communication between the British and their French artillery support saw the Germans unhampered by the barrage. The British met a wall of machine gun fire from the wood but they pushed through. The attack stalled within the wood as the Germans fought back increasingly from concealed positions.

The Battalion was unable to advance further and adopted a defensive position within Hangard Wood. Hill was killed during the attack and is commemorated upon the Pozieres Memorial; sold together with copied research comprising a Commonwealth War Graves certificate and Operations report for the 10th Battalion between 24-27 April 1918.

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Sold for
£65

Starting price
£30