Lot 22
The July 1916 attack at Thiepval Military Cross Who Died of Wounds in 1918




The Petra Collection of Medals to the 22nd Foot (The Cheshire Regiment) & Other Properties | M26001
Auction: 12 February 2026 10:30 GMT
Description
The July 1916 attack at Thiepval Military Cross attributed to Captain Gerald Lucien Grimsdell, 8th Battalion (Prince of Wales’ Volunteers) South Lancashire Regiment Who Died of complications from wounds and Pneumonia on the 6th of July 1918 comprising Military Cross GVR, reverse engraved in neat capitals (Captain G.L. Grimsdell. July 1916), in fitted case of issue, toned extremely fine (1)
Military Cross The London Gazette the 25th of August 1916
Temp. Capt. Gerald Lucien Grimsdell, S. Lanc. R.
For conspicuous gallantry during operations. He organised and led a bombing attack against a strong enemy position, took it, and held it against two counter-attacks while the position was being consolidated.
Gerald Lucien Grimsdell was born in 1899 in Finchley, London. Having studied Engineering at King’s College London and upon completion of his OTC Cadetship, he was awarded the temporary rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He attested for service with the 8th Battalion (Prince of Wales’ Volunteers) South Lancashire Regiment at the outbreak of the Great War and travelled with his Battalion for Service in France and Flanders in October 1915. It was during July 1916 at the Battel of the Somme, that he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. Shortly after this, and after his promotion to Captain in August 1916, Gerald Grimsdell was wounded in action and invalided back to London. Struggling for his health through a long period of recovery, Gerald succumbed to complications associated with his wound on the 6th of July 1918, noted as a death from Pneumonia. He died in Finchley and is buried in Islington Cemetery and Crematorium, Plot I Row 3 Grave 2039.
His Brother, 2nd Lieutenant Reginald Edward Grimsdell, 4th Battalion London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) was Killed in Action on the 25th of September 1916 and is commemorated on Pier and Face (D of the Thiepval Memorial to the missing.
Sold with Commonwealth War Graves information, Copy Medal Index Card, Copy OTC Register details, Copy London Gazette entries.
Provenance Baldwins 2011




