A Collection of Great War Medals

Three: Private H. Runcieman, 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade, mortally wounded in action at the Battle of Hooge, 30 July 1915, dying the following day

1914-15 Star (S-11974 Pte. H. Runcieman, Rif. Brig.); British War and Victory Medals (S-11974 Pte. H. Runcieman, Rif. Brig.); Memorial Plaque (Herbert Runciman) note minor variation in spelling of surname, nearly extremely fine (4) £160-200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Great War Medal Collection of Robin H.J. Darvell.

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Herbert Runciman was born in Chelsea, London. A Carman by occupation, he enlisted into the Lancers of the Line at Waltham Green on 21 September 1914, aged 31 years, 5 months. He was transferred to the 6th Battalion Rifle Brigade on 3 June 1915 and thence to the 9th Battalion on 29 June. On 30 June he entered the French theatre of war. Private Runcieman was wounded in action on 30 July 1915 during the battle of Hooge and died of his wounds on the following day. He was buried in the Poperinghe New Military Cemetery. With copied service papers, m.i.c. and other research.

In the battle, the Germans infamously attacked a portion of the British line held by the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade with ‘liquid fire’. In this and the doomed counter-attack by the 7th, 8th and 9th Battalions of the Rifle Brigade later in the day, cost the Brigade over 800 men killed, wounded and missing.