Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Corporal F. R. Corrie, Wellington Mounted Rifles, who was posthumously mentioned in despatches following his death in action at Sari Bair, Gallipoli in August 1915

1914-15 Star (11/520 Cpl. F. R. Corrie, N.Z.E.F.), in its named card box of issue, dated 4 April 1922, with a pencilled mailing address for his mother in Johannesburg; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (11/520 Cpl. F. R. Corrie, N.Z.E.F.), extremely fine (3) £380-420

Frank Reginald Corrie was killed in action in the attack on Sari Bair, Gallipoli on 9 August 1915, when the advance was checked by the Turks in ‘one of the fiercest fights of Gallipoli - every inch of ground was disputed with bayonet and bomb’. Of the reduced force of Wellington Mounted Rifles present in the battle, 43 were killed and 74 wounded.

It would appear from accompanying original documentation that Corrie had been wounded in earlier operations on the peninsula, the Wellington Mounted Rifles having landed at ANZAC Cove in May 1915. Of events on 9 August, a letter written by his mother-in-law quotes assorted eye-witness statements: he was shot through the chest and lived but 30 minutes.

He was mentioned in General Sir Ian Hamilton’s despatch, dated 11 December 1915, ‘for gallant and distinguished service in the Field’ (London Gazette 28 January 1916, refers).

Corrie, the son of Mrs. J. Fryer of Johannesburg, South Africa, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Chunuk Bair (New Zealand) Memorial, Gallipoli.

Sold with an original letter written by his mother-in-law, dated in New Zealand in January 1919, an extensive and poignant letter running to 12pp.; together with a letter of appreciation for services rendered from the Minister of Defence, Wellington, New Zealand, dated 25 July 1916, and War Office, Whitehall, London communication in respect of the recipient’s posthumous mention in despatches, dated 11 May 1916.