Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private G. E. Habgood, West Yorkshire Regiment, died of wounds received on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, when his battalion suffered 750 officers and men killed or wounded, the greatest number of casualties to a single battalion on the first day of the Battle.

1914-15 Star (15324 Pte. G. E. Habgood. W. York: R.); British War and Victory Medals (15324 Pte. G. E. Habgood. W. York. R.); Memorial Plaque (George Edward Habgood) mounted in a glazed display frame, extremely fine (4) £260-300

George Edward Habgood was born in Windsor, Berkshire, and served with the 10th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment during the Great War in France from 13 July 1915. On the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, the 10th West Yorkshires were part of the 50th Brigade. Along with the other units in the Brigade they were ordered to attack Fricourt Village and Tambour Mines. The Battalion suffered 750 Officers and men killed or wounded that day, the most casualties of any single battalion on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, including Habgood, who was wounded. He died of wounds four days later, on 5 July 1916, and is buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery, France.