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Auction: 8010 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 226

A Great War Group of Three to Private J. Crilley, Somerset Light Infantry, Killed in Action During the 1st Battalion´s First Action of the Great War at Le Cateau, 26.8.1914 1914 Star, with Bar (9111 Pte. J. Crilley. 1/Som:L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (9111 Pte. J. Crilley. Som.L.I.), good very fine, with photographic image of the Signallers of the 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry, including recipient, dated December 1912 Estimate £ 200-240 9111 Private John Crilley, born Exeter, Devon; joined Somerset Light Infantry, 1911; served during the Great War with the 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry on the Western Front from 21.8.1914; he was killed in action just five days later, 26.8.1914; upon arrival in France the 1st Battalion were rushed up to Le Cateau as part of the force to protect the left flank of 11 Corps; the day that Crilley was killed was also his battalion´´s 1st day of action in the War, the Battalion War Diary entry for 26.8.1914 gives, ´´battalion goes into action near Ligny. The battalion went into action piecemeal with the companies at various different positions. Suffering heavy artillery bombardment the remains of the battalion entered Ligny about 4.00pm, the battalion reserve had been used in this action as well..... Casualty figures: 19 NCO´´s and men killed, 100 missing, 150 wounded, 9 officers wounded´´; Crilley is buried in the Fontaine-au-Pire Communal Cemetery, France; he is also commemorated on the War Memorial at St. Mary´´s Church, Taunton.

Sold for
£400