Lot 11
North West Frontier 1908, 1914 BEF Casualty Group of 6 awarded to Private Alfred Sanderson
Military Medals, Decorations and Orders On Land, at Sea, in the Air | E114
Auction: 7 September 2023 at 10:00 BST
Description
“the West Yorkshire’s trenches were full of dead and it was impossible to dig without uncovering bodies.”
A North West Frontier 1908, 1914 BEF Casualty Group of 6 awarded to Private Alfred Sanderson, 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, who was wounded by a Gun Shot Wound to his Shoulder on the 20th September 1914. This was the Battalion’s first major action of the Great War along the Chemin des Dames, when 7 Officers were Killed, 2 Wounded, including the Commanding Officer, 8 Officers were Missing, 71 Other Ranks Killed, 110 Other Ranks Wounded, 436 Other Ranks Missing – 634 Casualties in just over 12 hours. Comprising India General Service Medal, 1908‑35, one clasp, North West Frontier 1908, (8220 Pte. A. Sanderson. 1st W. Y. Regt.), named in running script, 1914 Star with original August – November Clasp, (8220 Pte. A. Sanderson1/W. Yorks: R.), 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medals, (8220 Pte. A. Sanderson. West York. R.), 1939-45 Defence Medal, unnamed as issued, Imperial Service Medal, GVIR, (Alfred Ernest Sanderson), lightly toned, very fine (6).
Extract - British Battalions in France and Belgium 1914, by Ray Westlake.
19th September 1914
Moved forward and took over trenches along the Chemin des Dames above Troyon. French troops on right attacked about 5am (20th) and forced a withdrawal. “D” Company moved forward to protect Battalion’s right flank. French later returned to their line and mistaking “D” Company for the enemy, opened fire, causing several casualties. Enemy attacked again about 8pm. War Diary records that a auctions@baldwin.co.uk 16 +44 (0)20 7930 6879 man came back from the Front Line and reported that the forward Companies had been captured. Apparently, the enemy had come forward under a white flag. When the Sherwood Foresters went out to meet them, they were surrounded and fired upon. Battalion relieved and moved back to Troyon. Casualties 7 Officers were Killed, 2 Wounded, including the Commanding Officer, 8 Officers were Missing, 71 Other Ranks Killed, 110 Other Ranks Wounded, 436 Other Ranks Missing – Relieved 1st Durham Light Infantry in Front Line on the 24th. Relieved by 1st Loyal North Lancs during evening of the 25th and to Parnan. Casualties 9 killed 2 wounded. An officer of the relieving Battalion noted the West Yorkshire’s trenches were full of dead and it was impossible to dig without uncovering bodies.’
Private Alfred Sanderson landed with the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment on the 8th of September 1914; he is noted in The Times Casualty List of the of the 14th of November 1914 as wounded, having been reported thus on the 1st of October 1914. He was Discharged from the Army due to this wound on the 1st of April 1915, and subsequently awarded a Silver War Badge number 71872. His Pension papers state Gun Shot Wound Shoulder.
In the 1939 Register, Alfred is shown as a Postman.
Sold with Copy IGSM Roll confirming NWF 1908 clasp, Copy Medal Index Card, Copy 1914 Star Roll, British War and Victory Medal Roll, Copy Silver War Badge Roll, Extract Entry Index of Casualties 1914 The Times, Copy Pension Card, Copy Battalion War Diary from the 7th of September 1914 to the 10th of October 1914, Copy 1939 Register.
