The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals

Three: Private F. Henley, 9th (The Queen’s Royal) Lancers, who died of wounds as a Prisoner of War at Munster, Germany, on 9 November 1914

1914 Star, with later slide clasp (1119 Pte. F. Henley. 9/Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals (L-1119 Pte. F. Henley. 9-Lrs.) contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £160-£200

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

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Frank Henley was born at Brighton, Sussex and resided at Canterbury, Kent prior to attesting for the 9th Lancers (Queen’s Royal) at Hurstpierpoint. He was stationed with the 9th Lancers at Lydd Camp, Kent in 1911, aged 24 years, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 August 1914. He was wounded in action and captured in the opening period of the war, and died of his wounds on 9 November 1914 whilst a prisoner of war at Munster, Germany.

In the early weeks of the war, the 9th Lancers were present at the battles of Mons, Le Cateau, the Marne and the Aisne and were also involved in a number of notable minor engagements. Captain Francis Grenfell and a party of the 9th saved the guns of 119th Battery, Royal Field Artillery on 24 August 1914 near Doubon. For this action, and the charging of the unbroken line of infantry at Audregnies, Belgium on the same day, Captain Grenfell was awarded one of the first Victoria Crosses of the Great War. The regiment also participated in the final ‘lance against lance’ action involving British cavalry of the Great War on 7 September 1914 at Moncel during the Battle of the Marne in which Lieutenant Colonel David Campbell led a charge of two troops of B Squadron and overthrew a squadron of the Prussian Dragoons of the Guard.

Frank Henley was the husband of Rosina Bigg (formerly Henley) of 50 Old Ruttington Lane, Canterbury and is buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany.