Lot 30
A Great War, Bourlon Wood, Coldstream Guards Casualty Pair awarded to Private Percy Harold Butcher
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, Bourlon Wood, Coldstream Guards Casualty Pair awarded to Private Percy Harold Butcher, 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards who was Killed in Action on the 27th of November 1917, comprising 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medals (19259 Pte. P.H. Butcher. C. Gds.), toned, fine. (2).
Percy Harold Butcher was born in Ham Street, Kent c.1898, later living in nearby Ashford and he attested for the Coldstream Guards on the 2nd of October 1916 in Reading. At Bourlon Wood, beginning at 6.20am on the 27th of November 1917, the Battalion throughout the whole action was involved in the most severe fighting and suffered very heavy losses. By nightfall on the 27th, the Battalion had suffered 310 Other Ranks Killed and Wounded.
Percy’s body was found by the Germans and identified by his identity discs; he was presumably buried by the Germans but his body was not located after the War, and he is commemorated on Panel 2 of the Cambrai Memorial.
Sold with Copy Medal Index Card, Copy Medal Roll, Copy Attestation Book Entry, Copy genealogical information, Commonwealth War Graves Commission details, Copy German document detailing bodies found with identity discs, Copy Battalion War Diary for the period 1st November to the 30th of November 1917.
