Three: Private H. G. Roberts, Rifle Brigade, who was killed in action on 25 August 1916

1914-15 Star (S-6673 Pte., Rif. Brig.) second initial incorrectly given as ‘C’ on this medal; British War and Victory Medals (S-6673 Pte., Rif. Brig.); together with a silver and enamel prize medal for ‘Shoreditch Schools Sports Association’; various original documentation, including a poignant letter written by recipient to his wife and a letter from the British Red Cross concerning the circumstances of his death, extremely fine (4) £100-120

Herbert George Roberts was born at St Lukes, Middlesex and lived at Hoxton, Middlesex. He was killed in action in France and Flanders on 25 August 1916 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade and his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

The following is extracted from the British Red Cross letter included with the lot: ‘We have seen a man who saw your husband after he was wounded and I think you may wish to know what he has told us, although it is very little. This man is Pte. Pearce, 72796 of the same regiment, now in hospital in France and his account is as follows:

“I saw a man named Roberts wounded in a raid at Vermelles about September 26th. He was lying on the ground and seemed very bad as I crawled past him. It was dark but I am sure it was Roberts. He was a very slim built fair man, of about 30 and came from London. I heard nothing about him afterwards. He was not in my platoon...’