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Auction: 8010 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 238

A Great War ´Somme 1916´ Casualty Group of Three to Private J.C. Pockett, King´s Royal Rifle Corps 1914 Star, with Bar (4628 Pte. J.C. Pockett. 2/K.R.Rif.C.); British War and Victory Medals (4628 Pte. J.C. Pockett. K.R.Rif.C.), nearly extremely fine (3) Estimate £ 180-220 4628 Private John Charles Pockett, born Cheltenham; joined the King´´s Royal Rifle Corps, 29.7.1902; served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion on the Western Front from 13.8.1914; he was twice wounded, recieving a gun shot wound, 17.9.1914, and again in 1916; he was killed in action 30.7.1916; in late July 1916 the 2nd Battalion were part of the 1st Division´´s attack on Munster Alley and Switch Line near Scott´´s Redoubt (Somme), between 23rd - 31st July 1916; the battalion´´s War Diary entry gives the following, ´´23rd: after an intense artillery bombardment lasting several minutes the battalion attacked. The Germans, who had seen us deploying by the use of very lights, at once opened up rifle and machine gun fire from the left flank, "D" Company succeeded in penetrating the German lines. The other companies got in partially on the left side of the Royal Sussex Regiment, who were attacking another trench, failed completely as did the 15th Gloucester´´s on their right. The Germans kept up a severe bombing attack from both flanks and the battalion were forced to withdraw. Our losses were severe... other casualties were 226. The battalion sustained, for the second time heavy losses within a month. Since 30th June our losses have been, 22 officers and 52 other ranks killed, 303 wounded, 150 missing, 64 gassed (13 dead), 7 concussion by shells: Total 576 not including officers´´; a note in Pockett´´s records shows ´´killed in action or died of wounds between 23.7.1916 - 30.7.1916 body found and buried 31.7.1916, place of burial south side of Oblong Alley´´; Pockett is buried in the Serre Road Cemetery No.2, Somme.

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