Auction Catalogue

19 & 20 March 2008

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Lot

№ 994

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20 March 2008

Hammer Price:
£50

Victory Medal 1914-19 (2 Lieut. A. L. Salter) very fine £40-50

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Brigadier Brian Parritt, C.B.E..

View Medals from the Collection of Brigadier Brian Parritt, C.B.E.

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Collection

Albert Leonard Salter was born in Bath on 2 November 1894 and was educated at Bath Technical and City Secondary School. Employed as a Clerk in the Rates Department, in Bath Town Hall, he enlisted into Army Ordnance Corps on 27 October 1915.
On 30 October 1917 he was granted a commission in the 3rd Royal Warwickshire Regiment (Special Reserve), but by 21 March 1918 he was attached to the 2/6th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment. On that date the Germans launched their great ‘Spring Offensive’. The 2/6th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment was one of the battalions in the Hirondelle Valley fighting desperately around Bullecourt. Some units were completely overrun and destroyed, others fought stubbornly to save the village. The offensive lasted a month and the total British casualties were 177,739 killed, wounded and missing. One of those reported missing (later killed in action) was 2nd Lieutenant Salter. Having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. Sold with copied service papers, including those from his father requesting further information.