Medals from the Rob Campbell Collection relating to Clevedon, Somerset

Family group:

Three: Private J. E. Hunt, 16th (Service) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Public Schools), killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916
1914-15 Star (PS-1810. Pte. J. E. Hunt, Middx. R.); British War and Victory Medals (PS-1810 Pte. J. E. Hunt. Midd’x R.) all in individual named card boxes of issue, and original registered envelopes addressed to ‘Mr. S. W. Hunt, 61 Old St., Clevedon, Somerset’, extremely fine

Three: Police Sergeant S. W. Hunt, Metropolitan Police
Jubilee 1897, Metropolitan Police (P.C. S. Hunt. H. Divn.); Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police (P.S. S. Hunt. N. Div.); Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police (P.S., S. Hunt.) mounted for display, generally good very fine or better (6) £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Rob Campbell Collection relating to Clevedon, Somerset.

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Joseph Edward Hunt was the eldest son of S. W. Hunt, and was born in Stepney, London. He served during the Great War with the 16th (Service) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Public Schools) in the French theatre of war from 17 November 1915. Hunt was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. On this date the Battalion served as part of the 86th Brigade, 29 Division, and ‘during early morning moved up from Auchonvillers to assembly positions at Cripp’s Cut and Cardiff Street. In support to 86th Brigade’s attack on Beaumont-Hamel - crossing the parapet, moved forward - Official History of the Great War noting that as they advanced the men could see much of the wire entanglement still uncut, and the various gaps in it full of dead and wounded. War Diary mentions little of this tragic day - ‘Battalion in action 7.30 from support trenches.’ Casualties are then given as 524 all ranks. Brigade records do not mention 16th Middlesex or how far they advanced. One source, however (H. L. Smythe) records that when Beaumont-Hamel was later taken in November the remains, paybooks etc of some 180 Middlesex men were found at the sunken road in No Man’s Land.’ (British Battalions on the Somme, by R. Westlake refers)

Private Hunt is commemorated on the Theipval Memorial, Somme, France.

Simon William Hunt was born in Clevedon in October 1866. He served with the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards prior to joining the Metropolitan Police in December 1889. Hunt served with N (Islington) Division, advanced to Sergeant, and resigned from the Police in January 1915. Hunt was aged 48, and had served 25 years and 12 days with the Metropolitan Police.

Hunt returned to live in Clevedon during his retirement, and died there in November 1949.

Sold with copied research, including photographic images of both father and son.