Three: Private T. Letten, 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who was killed in the attack on the Chivres Spur, during operations on the Aisne, on 14 September 1914

1914 Star, with clasp (7798 Pte. T. Letten. 1/D. of Corn: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (7798 Pte. T. Letten. D. of Corn. L.I.) nearly 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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Thomas Letten was born in 1886 at Butts Green, Hornchurch, Essex. He attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at Romford in 1903 and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War from 20 August 1914. Following their retreat from Mons, his battalion began advancing toward the Aisne on 6 September, crossing the river a week later, north of Chacrise. On 14 September, the 1st D.C.L.I. took part in the attack on the German positions on the Chivres heights but heavy machine-gun and rifle fire forced their withdrawal to Missy. 151 officers and men of the battalion were killed or wounded on this date. Private Letten was among the dead.

Private Letten was the husband of Elizabeth Emily Letten and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, France.