Lot 40
A 1915 Ypres Salient Casualty Pair awarded to Private Bernard William Francis Lott
Military Medals, Decorations and Orders On Land, at Sea, in the Air | E114
Auction: 7 September 2023 at 10:00 BST
Description
A 1915 Ypres Salient Casualty Pair awarded to Private Bernard William Francis Lott, 2nd Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) who was presumed Killed in Action on the 3rd of May 1915 and is now commemorated on the Menin Gate, comprising 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medals, ( ?‑9799 Pte. B.W.F. Lott. E. Kent.), Victory Medal stained to obverse otherwise toned, fine. (2).
Bernard William Francis Lott was born in Athlone, Co Westmeath in 1895 to an English soldier and an Irish mother. In 1901, they're at Shorncliffe on the Kent coast. His father was Private Henry Edwin George Lott, also East Kent Regiment.
In 1911, a teenaged Bernard is staying in a doss house in Gordon Chambers, Chatham, where men could apparently pay 2d for a bed of sorts within the building or 1d for a blanket and two pegs.
There are two MICs for him; one shows a Pair, with the right initials, but the other, showing the 1914-15 Star (and including the note: “Death presumed 3rd May 1915”), has the wrong initials for him. Perhaps his 1914-15 Star was returned and not then received after a change to the initials.
The War Diary for 2nd Buffs for 3rd May 1915 is very hard to read. From Ray Westlake’s book 'Tracing British Battalions on the Western Front, Jan to Jun 1915', they: ‘Took over trenches at Verlorenhoek 28th April. CO Lt Col A.D. Geddes killed by shell. Relieved during night of 3rd May and moved back to wood north of the Vlamertinghe-Poperinghe road. Casualties estimated by war diary since 22nd April: 17 Officers, 702 ORs'.
Sold With Copy Medal Index Cards, ranscript Red Cross enquiry form, Copy War Diary, Copy ‘Ireland’s Memorial Records 1914‑1918’, genealogical information, Copy Father’s Service Papers, Commonwealth War Graves Commission information and Copy photograph of his name on the Menin Gate, Panel 14.
