Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

1914 Star, with copy clasp (1931 Pte. J. G. Guard. 2/Lan: Fus.) very fine £120-£160

John George Guard was born in Devonport and attested for the Lancashire Fusiliers at Bury, Lancashire. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 22 August 1914: on 25 August 1914 the Battalion was ordered to advanced to Viesly but later withdrew during the night to positions just north-west of Ligny. Coming under attack during the early morning of 26 August, they suffered heavy casualties but, managing to rally, held the extreme left of the British line until the British Expeditionary Force was able to retreat, only later falling back to positions on a ridge south-west of Haucourt.

Six officers of the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers were recorded killed at Le Cateau but Major-General J. C. Latter, C.B.E., M.C., in the War Diary of the Lancashire Fusiliers was uncertain of the number of other ranks killed. Some 3 officers and 86 other ranks had been wounded and 6 officers and 402 other ranks were listed as missing. Guard was amongst those killed in action, and he is buried in Esnes Communal Cemetery.

Sold with copied Medal Index Card; Graves Registration Reports; and copied research.