Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Private E. Gurney, 7th (Service) Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, who was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916

1914-15 Star (G-1754. Pte. E. Gurney, R. W. Kent. R.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (GS-1754 Pte. E. Gurney. R. W. Kent R.) good very fine (2) £100-£140

Edward Gurney was born in New Cross, Kent. He served during the Great War with the 7th (Service) Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment in the French theatre of war from 26 July 1915. Gurney was killed in action on the Western Front, 1 July 1916. On the latter date the Battalion were serving as part of the 55th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division on the Somme, ‘In reserve east of Carnoy for attack towards western end of Montauban (1/7) - ‘A’ and ‘C’ Companies moved forward 11am to assist 8th East Surrey in Train Alley - ‘A’ held up at Pommiers Line with loss of almost all officers - ‘C’ took and consolidated Montauban Alley. To Bronfay Wood (4/7). Casualties - 183.’ (British Battalions on the Somme by R. Westlake refers)

Private Gurney is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.