Memorial Plaque (Edward Ruttens) in original card envelope; together with a Boy Scouts presentation hatchet, inscribed ‘Edward Ruttons [sic] from Henry Duke of Norfolk, E.M., K.G., 12th. August 1911’, housed in a A.W. Gamage, London, leather sheath embossed ‘Be Prepared’, with belt loops, very fine (2) £70-£90

Edward Ruttens, a native of Bury, near Pulborough, Sussex, attested for the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and served with the 2nd/6th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 May 1916. He was killed in action on 19 July 1916 during the Battle of Fromelles aged 18; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 15th Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal and Knight of the Garter, served as President of the Arundel and Littlehampton Local Scout Association; presumably Ruttens was a member of this Scout Association but why he was awarded the hatchet by the Duke is not known.

Note: This is an age restricted lot: the successful buyer will be required to either collect in person, or arrange specialist shipping.