Lot 21
A Great War, 15th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry, 1914‑15 Trio awarded to Private Archibald Smith
Military Medals, Decorations and Orders On Land, at Sea, in the Air | E114
Auction: 7 September 2023 at 10:00 BST
Description
A Great War, 15th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry, 1914‑15 Trio awarded to Private Archibald Smith comprising 1914-15 Star (23294 Pte A. Smith. Durh: L.I.), 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medals, (23294 Pte. A. Smith. Durh. L.I.), toned, very fine. (3).
Private Archibald Smith landed in France with the 15th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the 9th of October 1915. It is therefore likely that Private Smith was present in the Battalion attack at Fricourt on the 1st of July 1916.
The 15th Battalion at 7.30am on 1 July 1916 attacked the German front line north of Fricourt. By early afternoon, the battalion had advanced to Shelter Wood, taking 200 German prisoners for the loss of 450 men killed or wounded, including the Commanding Officer mortally wounded.
Private Smith transferred to the 155th Company Labour Corps and then to the 153rd Company Labour Corps, before, it would appear, he was transferred back to the 15th Battalion D.L.I. He was discharged from the D.L.I. to the “Z” Reserve in 1919.
Sold with Copy Medal Index Card and Copy Medal Rolls.
