Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Second Lieutenant H. E. St. George, 1/6th Battalion Liverpool Regiment, killed in action, battle of the Somme, 13 August 1916

British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.); Memorial Plaque (Harold Edgar St. George) this last with adhesive marks to reverse, medals nearly extremely fine (3) £240-300

Harold Edgar St. George (formerly von Heyder) was the son of George T. St. George, of Stonehouse, Yew Tree Road, Allerton, Liverpool. Educated at Harrow. Joined the Inns of Court O.T.C. in April 1915 and was commissioned an officer in the 10th Battalion Suffolk Regiment in July 1915. Transferring to the 1/6th Battalion Liverpool Regiment, he went to France in May 1916. His company, in support of the South Lancashire Regiment attacked the enemy lines before Guillemont on 13 August 1916. The attack failed and he was last seen on a parapet of the third German trench, covering an enemy with his revolver. His men saw him fall before they were obliged to retire but his body was not found when the position was retaken two days later. Initially reported ‘missing’ he was later deemed to have been killed on that day.

In a letter he wrote to be posted home in case he fell in action, he wrote: ‘I am not sorry I came out here, as it is obviously the duty of every man to do what he can to shorten the war, so that the next generation may not have to undergo what our men have been through. I am glad to have known the British Tommy and his wonderful fighting qualities. At present the men are laughing and scrapping together, just as if they were not going up into the line tonight.’

As many another family with a Germanic name, the Von Heyders changed their name to a more acceptable ‘British’ name with the onset of war. With copied photograph of the recipient and copied service details.