Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The 1914 Star awarded to Private E. J. Newbold, 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, who was killed in action during the retreat from Mons on 24 August 1914

1914 Star (9484 Pte. E. J. Newbold. Dorset: R.) good very fine £100-£140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals.

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Ernest James Newbold was born at Alverstoke, Hampshire in 1894 and attested for the Dorsetshire Regiment at Gosport, Hampshire in December 1912.

Following the outbreak of the Great War, he embarked from Belfast with the 1st Battalion, as part of the 15th Brigade, 5th Division, arriving at Le Havre on 16 August. Reaching Dour, some 10 miles south west of Mons, on 22 August, his Battalion split and Headquarters, B and D Companies moved forward via Bois de Bossu on 23 August. Leaving the road, they travelled along the railway line to a bridge on the north side of Wasmes and, having dug in facing Hornu, were advised that the 3rd Division were withdrawing from Mons, and that the Battalion, with the other three Battalions of 15th Brigade were to take up a blocking position that allowed for the 3rd Division to pass through.

German shelling started at 5pm and about twenty minutes later, grey uniformed scouting parties were spotted about 1000 yards in front of the Dorsetshires who then fired on the advancing enemy into the evening, incurring no casualties. The following day, with A and B Companies now in support, the battalion came under increasing shell and machine gun fire and engaged the enemy at 200 yards before making a fighting withdrawing over some 11 miles through Blaugies to St. Waast. The casualty list for 24 August was 3 officers wounded and taken prisoner, 12 other ranks killed, 49 wounded and 69 missing.

Newbold was among the 20 men of the battalion who were finally assessed to have been killed on 24 August 1914. The son of John Henry and Kate Ellie Newbold, of Gosport, Hampshire, he is buried in Hautrage Military Cemetery, France.