Pair: Lieutenant A. C. Bender, Hampshire Regiment, late 19th (Public Schools) Battalion Royal Fusiliers, killed in action at Menin Ridge, 20 September 1917

British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. A. C. Bender) nearly extremely fine (2) £60-80

Alfred Courtney Bender was born in Sydenham, Surrey, on 14 December 1892, the son of Charles Balthazar and Nancy Eliza Benderof ‘Kenmuir’, 94, Alleyne Road, Dulwich, and was educated at Dulwich College and The Queen’s College, Oxford. A member of the Oxford University O.T.C. from 1911, he joined the 19th (Public Schools) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers as a Private (Regt. No. 75) on 15 September 1914 and was discharged to a commission in 16th Battalion Royal Fusiliers in May 1915. He transferred to the 15th Battalion Hampshire Regiment in August 1915, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 2 May 1916. He was wounded in July 1916 at Ploegsteert, and returned to the Front in December.

Bender was killed in action on 20 September 1917, aged 24, whilst serving with the 15th Hampshire Regiment during the Battle of Menin Ridge Road. Dulwich College Roll of Honour refers: ‘After his battalion had captured the first and second objectives in the Battle of Menin Ridge on 20th September, 1917, he was one of the first to volunteer to attack the third and fell almost at once with a bullet through his head’. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He is also commemorated on the St Stephen’s Church War Memorial, Dulwich, the Dulwich College War Memorial, and The Queen’s College, Oxford War Memorial.

The War Diary covering the attack with the goal of taking the trenches along the Blue line, East of Bassevillebeke relates:
‘The assembly took place without great difficulty and the attack was launched at 5:40am. The 15 Hants were checked by a strong point which had been untouched by the barrage about 5 minutes after the start, which was soon overcome by the gallantry of Officers and men in storming the position. After the Blue Line which was the 15 Hants objective was reached without difficulty. Casualties were heavy including all four of the Company Commanders. A counter-attack was threatened from N. E. (on the Menin Road) but was dispersed by rifle and machine gun fire… at 5:30 orders were received to the effect that two Battalions of 122nd Infantry Brigade (the 15 Hants and 11th West Kents) were to attack the Green Line (originally the final objective). The 11th West Kents were too disorganised at the time so that the attack was carried out by 130 men of the 15th Hants. The position was captured and over 40 prisoners, a Battalion Commander, his adjutant, two machine guns and one field gun were taken. The objective was consolidated and held against several counter attacks in spite of the fact that 123rd Brigade who attacked three times on our right, failed to reach their objective.’

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Roll notes that the 15th Battalion Hampshire Regiment suffered 82 fatal casualties (2 Officers) on 20 September 1917.

Sold together with a photographic image of the recipient.