Pair: Rifleman W. Cresswell, 8th Battalion (Post Office Rifles), late 5th (City of London) Battalion (London Rifle Brigade), London Regiment, who was killed in action on 3 October 1918

British War and Victory Medals (306264 Pte. W. Cresswell. 5-Lond. R.) in paper packets in damaged named card box of issue, all in outer OHMS transmission envelope addressed to ‘Mrs Cresswell, 91 Wellington Road, Bromley by Bow’; Memorial Plaque (William Cresswell) extremely fine (3) £200-£240

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals.

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William Cresswell was born in Colchester and resided in Bow, London. He served with the 5th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) on the Western Front from 3 August 1918. Posted to the 8th Battalion (Post Office Rifles) on 10 August, he was killed in action by a machine gun bullet on 3 October 1918 at the start of the Fifth Army’s Final Advance in Artois.

He was the son of Arthur and Martha Cresswell of 91 Wellington Road, Bow, Bromley, London and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France.

Sold together with a card framed photograph, 80mm x 130mm, thought to be of the recipient in uniform; a canvas wallet, stamped to the front ‘L.R.B. France, 1918’; two letters, dated 18 September 1918 and 28 September 1918, written by the recipient whilst on active service in France with Y Platoon, 8th London Regiment, and sent to his mother, one written on YMCA B.E.F. Paper with matching envelope; a letter dated 6 October 1918 from 2nd Lieut. F. R. Julian, Y Platoon, B Company, 8th London Regt., to the recipient’s mother offering condolences and providing details relating to her son’s death, burial, grave location and personal effects; a letter of condolence dated 1st November 1918 to the recipient’s mother on paper with letter heading ‘Baltic House, 27 Leadenhall Street, London’ - signature illegible; a letter dated 21 November 1919 to the recipient’s father from Lieut W. L. Taggart-Webb, late 17th London Regt, regarding the burial location of the recipient; a birthday card to the recipient’s mother from the recipient’s brother, Jim; War Office Form No. 1A; Army Form W. 3171A; Dependent’s Form F; and Dependent’s Form 4K, all forms with reference to the recipient.