Lot 56
A Battle of the Somme attack on Shelter Wood Casualty
"Behind The Wire" - Medal and Militaria Sale | M25001
Auction: 17 September 2025 at 14:00 BST
Description
The Attack on Shelter Wood Casualty Group awarded to Private Thomas Taws, 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers who was Killed in Action in the Battalion Action at Shelter Wood on the 3rd of July 1916 comprising, 1914-15 Star (12-11327 Pte. T. Taws. Nor: H’D Fus:), 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medal, (12-11327 Pte T. Taws. North, D Fus.), Memorial Plaque (Thomas Taws), toned very fine (4)
On the 1st of July Pte Taws was in the Reserve with the 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers for the attack on Fricourt, the Battalion had moved up to Sunken Lane opposite Shelter Wood on the 2nd of July and on the morning of the 3rd were in reserve for the attack on Shelter Wood by the 1st Battalion the Lincolns. The Assault met with intense Machine Gun Fire, Trench Mortars and Battalion Machine Guns were providing additional fire from the Sunken Lane. Brigadier General Rawling had moved his HQ to the Sunken Lane earlier that morning, reports started to come in from the Royal Flying Corps that German troops were amassing in Contalmaison for a counter attack on the wood. Rawling saw this as either a disaster or an opportunity, being there on the ground he ordered the Reserve into action the 12th Battalion attacking and taking their part of the objective in hand-to-hand fighting, at 11am some two hours after the initial bombardment started the wood was now secure and being prepared to defend the German counter -attack from Contalmaison. The German attack commenced at 2pm and was met and repelled with stiff resistance. By 17.30 after a heavy German Howitzer Bombardment the position was consolidated.
Private Thomas Taws was Killed in Action in the attack on Shelter Wood, his body was not located after the war and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial Pier 10.
Sold with Original copy of the “Soldier’s and Sailor’s Armour in War and Peace”, copy War Dairy, Copy Medal Index Card and Medal Roll, Commonwealth War Graves information, The Trio and Plaque contained in a glazed frame the plaque also in an ornate plastic holder.
