Lot 24
A Battle of The Somme, 1916 Casualty Group awarded to Serjeant Reginald Etwell
Military Medals, Decorations and Orders On Land, at Sea, in the Air | E114
Auction: 7 September 2023 at 10:00 BST
Description
A Battle of The Somme, 1916 Casualty Group awarded to Serjeant Reginald Etwell, 11th (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) who Died of Wounds after the Battalion attack at Thiepval, on the 30th of September 1916 comprising 1914-15 Star, (6381 Pte R. Etwell. R. Fus:), 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medals, (GS-6381 Sjt. R. Etwell R. Fus.), Memorial Plaque (Reginald Etwell), very fine (4).
Private, later, Serjeant Reginald Etwell landed in France with the 11th (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) on the 26th of July 1915. The 11th Battalion were part of 54 Brigade, 18 (Eastern) Division who led the attack up Mametz Spur on the 1st of July 1916, making a rapid advance, storming Pommiers trench, and being later involved in fierce hand‑to‑hand fighting for Maple Trench, Pommiers Redoubt, Beetle Alley, and White Trench. Relieved the 2nd of July. Casualties for the 1st of July: 227 all ranks.
The Battalion assaulted Trones Wood on the 14th of July. Moved out of the line until 24th September when they moved into the Leipzig Sector Assaulted and captured Thiepval on the 26th of September. Serjeant Etwell was most likely wounded in this attack and died at the Casualty Clearing Station at Puchevillers four days later. He is Buried in Plot 3, Row D Grave 42 of Puchevillers British Cemetery.
Sold with Original card case for Memorial Plaque, Commonwealth War Graves details and extract from ‘Tracing British Battalions on the Somme’ by Ray Westlake.
