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Auction: 7012 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 792

A Great War Battle of St. Julien ´Sanctuary Wood´ Casualty Group of Three to Private F.G. Spencer, Gloucestershire Regiment 1914-15 Star (15419 Pte. F.G. Spencer. Glouc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (15419 Pte. F.G. Spencer. Glouc. R.), nearly extremely fine, with Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque ´Frederick George Spencer´, and recipient´s identity disc (3) Estimate £ 120-160 15419 Private Frederick George Spencer, born Caudle Green, Gloucestershire, ´enlisted in the 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment in Cheltenham in November 1914. The battalion had been serving in China on the outbreak of the war and arrived in France in December 1914, later being employed in the perimeter, defending the City of Ypres. On 22nd April 1915 the Germans mounted a series of attacks employing, for the first time, poison gas, which caused panic amongst the French colonial troops, resulting in their leaving wide gaps in the front line defences. During the following few days, desperate measures were employed to stem the German advances and on the 24th April, the 2nd Gloucesters were thrown into the attack at Potijze where, marching in full daylight, they attracted gunfire all the way, sustaining many casualties. It was in this operation that Private Spencer was wounded [at Sanctuary Wood], dying the following day in a casualty clearing station. He is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery.´ (Leaving All That Was Dear, refers)

Sold for
£300