Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private L. Bennett, Yorkshire Light Infantry, killed in action on the first day of the battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916 - of the 25 Officers and 659 other ranks who started the attack only the Medical Officer and 110 other ranks survived the day unscathed

1914-15 Star (14224 Pte. L. Bennett. Yorks: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (14224 Pte. L. Bennett. Yorks. L.I.) extremely fine (3) £300-400

Lawrence Bennett was born in Holborn, London, and attested for the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry at Waltham Green, London. He served with the 8th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 26 August 1915, and was killed in action on the first day of the battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, on which date the battalion was in action at the Ovillers spur: attacking from in front of Authuille Wood good progress was quickly made by the leading waves and the German front line entered. The following waves came under heavy machine gun fire from both flanks, losing 50% whilst crossing No Man’s Land, followed by close quarter fighting in the German second and third lines. The battalion withdrew to the British front line during the afternoon, all the officers having become casualties, and renewed attacks were then led by the surviving N.C.O.s. Relieved that evening, of the 25 Officers and 659 other ranks to have gone into action, the only survivors were the Medical Officer and 110 other ranks. Bennett was amongst those killed, and he is buried in Blighty Valley Cemetery, Somme, France.

Sold together with Record Office enclosures for all three medals.