Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private A. Baigent, 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, killed in action during the First Battle of Ypres, 24 October 1914 - an action in which the battalion was virtually wiped out

1914 Star, with clasp (8006 Pte., 2/Wilts. R.); British War and Victory Medals (8006 Pte., Wilts. R.) nearly extremely fine (3) £300-350

Arthur Baigent was born at Winchester, Hants and was living at Stockbridge, Hants when he enlisted at Devizes, Wilts. Serving with the 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 7 October 1914. He was killed in action on 24 October 1914. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on Panel 53 of the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.
 
Sold with extracts from the 2nd Battalion War Diary and an account of the action during which Baigent was killed written by Lieut-Col J.F. Forbes, Commanding Officer of the 2nd Wilts, written in September 1918. These describe how the Battalion was overwhelmed after being outflanked by a massive attack by seven German battalions. The 2nd Wilts left England 1100 strong on 7 October. By 25 October just 150 were left with the Battalion, the rest having been killed, wounded or captured.