Lot 168
Killed in Action - Gallipoli ‡
Clandestine Operations - Inc The D.J. Croll Medal Collection & Other Properties | M26002
Auction: 16 September 2026 at 10.30 BST
Description
The Casualty 1914-15 Star awarded to Private Richard Arrowsmith, 1st Battalion The Essex Regiment who arrived on the Peninsula on the 10th of June 1915 and was Killed 18 days later on the 28th of June 1915 in an attack on Point H.12 near Gully Ravine comprising, 1914-15 Star (16073 Pte. R. Arrowsmith. Essex R.), very fine (1)
Extract The Western Front Association
By the end of May 1 Essex had dug new trenches eastward, up to and including Fir Tree Wood, which they occupied alongside the 5 Royal Scots. Torrential rain added misery to the scene and caused widespread flooding along the line, but the Essex men were relieved on 30 May and went into reserve.
The assimilation scheme saw three companies of Inniskilling Fusiliers reinforcing the line held by 1 Essex when they returned to front line duties in early June. The advance trenches had suffered heavily from enfilading machine gun fire, and the Turks were seen extending trenches they had retaken in front of Krithia. On 9 June the battalion retired to Gully Beach for a rest, digging themselves into the cliffs for cover. (War Diary notes a draft of 5 officers and 236 other ranks joined at this stage.)
After two days at rest, 1 Essex relieved 4 Royal Scots Fusiliers in a move which took over six hours to complete due to blocked communication trenches. On June 15 the enemy were reported to be moving at night towards the Essex held part of the line, and a determined attack followed, but was repulsed. For the next ten days the War Diary reveals nothing of note, with men engaged on improving communications and digging fatigues. On 28 June 1 Essex were ordered to move into fire and support trenches to cooperate with the 1/5 Royal Scots in assaulting position H.12. Considerable delays were caused by blocked trenches, and communication lines holding the wounded, mixed with men of 156 Brigade coming back. Any alternative routes were found impassable due to accurate enemy snipers. Two more attempts were made with the loss of four officers and seventy two other ranks killed or wounded. There was just 300 yards between the lines.
Private Arrowsmith is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.
Sold with Copy War Diary, Copy Medal Index Card Copy Pension Details, Commonwealth War Graves Commission information.
Provenance Charlies Medals 2018
