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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

What's going on here?


Jim Strawbridge

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I have no connection to this eBay posting. BUT it is a BWM/victory pair which the seller simply describes as "WW1 British War Medals. 233 . CPL . F . S . WHITE . LINC . REG . Original ribbons These medals have been in my possession for 40 years and are completely genuine". Current bid £304.99 (13 bids). I am guessing an act of gallantry.

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WHITE, FRANCIS SYDNEY

Initials: F S

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Corporal

Regiment/Service: Lincolnshire Regiment

Unit Text: "A" Coy. 10th Bn.

Age: 26

Date of Death: 01/07/1916

Service No: 233

Additional information: Son of Charles White, of 10, Marlbro' Terrace, Blenheim Rd., Barnsley, Yorks.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 1 C.

Memorial: THIEPVAL

Say no more!

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Still a tad high for a 1st July soldier on Thiepval Memorial, I might expect that for a burial.

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I understand how the medals of a soldier who died on the Somme can command a higher price than those of a soldier who died on a less momentuous date. But I didn't realise that there were further levels of value within the 1.7.16 category. What makes a 'known burial' group more valuable than a 'no known grave' group? And would the cemetery in which the soldier is buried make a further difference to value?

Tom

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Tom, yes, burials in the areas of Beaumont Hamel, Redan Ridge, Hawthorn Ridge (specifically Hawthorn Ridge No1) Waggon Road all command a very high premium.

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The last 10th Grimsby Chums pair, also badly listed, went for £370ish, to No.44 Pte. John William Campling. No known grave job, too.

They certainly do command high prices, £500 upwards is not unusual.

dick

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Tom, yes, burials in the areas of Beaumont Hamel, Redan Ridge, Hawthorn Ridge (specifically Hawthorn Ridge No1) Waggon Road all command a very high premium.

Any idea why this is so, compared to a man still "out there somewhere"? I would have thought the NKG would be somewhat more poignant.

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Sorry for asking but here goes......do previous posts imply some deaths more " worthy" than others, I for one hope not.

Joan

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As delicate as I can be, yes some are 'worth' more in pound notes.

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Joanbeige:

Although I don't understand the 'premium' attached to 1st July casualties, similar scarcity makes medals to Irish regiments cost more. It's simple supply and demand in a market where a hero's belongings are, on many occasions, unwanted by their families and sold on. The value thereafter, I believe, has no correlation to the deceased. May they all R.I.P.

-Dave

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Grimsby Chums original member--well collected. The final price may well be much higher!!

I'm afraid that I too cannot quite grasp why a 1/7/16 casualty commands such a high price(buried or unburied!!? they all met the same fate after all!!), but if the market demands the price, then who are we to disagree?

I have no connection, in any shape or form, with this item :thumbsup: but good luck to the vendor!!

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Well, £465ish isnt to bad, looking at the rest of the ones seen up for sale.

Had a look on ancestry to see what there is on him.

No. 233

Rank Cpl

Born Philidelphia, USA

Lived Rotherham

Enlisted Grimsby

To France 09/01/1916 and as you say, an original member of the Grimsby Chums.

I'm sure this has been asked before, 'Original'........ is that the first contingent sent out January, 1916. Those who were present for the FDoS, the first 1000 men, only served with the 10th, or anyone who went with the 10th. Where do we/you draw the line.

I have a cracking set to a lad who joined the 10th GC's in 1917, the 10th being his only unit, from Lancashire and a 425** number. Is he a Grimsby Chum?

DW

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Thank you all for your comments. Most interesting. The vendor should be well pleased as he obviously had no idea what he had in his hands.

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I think it's the notoriety factor that commands the high prices. The Battle of the Somme being best remembered for its first day, 1st July 1916 on which the British suffered 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 dead - the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army

Hence, the price of medals to Somme casualties from day 2 onwards command much less.

Similarly casualty medals to ANZAC forces on the 25th April 1915 command staggering prices, whereas Gallipoli casualty medals to Anzacs for other dates are significantly less.

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One of the ironies (for me) when it comes to the high collectability of medals to 1st Day of the Somme and 1st Day of Gallipoli casualties is the fact that many of these fallen soldiers would not have fired a shot in anger during the Great War.

Thousands of them were mowed down as the landing craft doors were lowered at Gallipoli on Day 1 and as they clambered 'over the top' at the Somme on Day 1.

Primarily new recruits from Kitcheners 'New Army' of Pals battalions and Anzac troops who were yet to face the enemy for the first time, cut down from the off.

In mentioning this I am in no way minimising or trivialising the role that these incredibly brave men played during the Great War and their untimely deaths. It just seems a bit ironic that medals to a WW1 soldier who never got chance to fire his rifle at the enemy could command such high prices.

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To France 09/01/1916 and as you say, an original member of the Grimsby Chums.

I'm sure this has been asked before, 'Original'........ is that the first contingent sent out January, 1916. Those who were present for the FDoS, the first 1000 men, only served with the 10th, or anyone who went with the 10th. Where do we/you draw the line.

I have a cracking set to a lad who joined the 10th GC's in 1917, the 10th being his only unit, from Lancashire and a 425** number. Is he a Grimsby Chum?

DW

Hi Dick,

His number 233 suggests beyond doubt that he was one of those who enlisted for the 10th Bn on the first day of enlisting--circa Sept,1914? Not sure of the exact date. He obviously proceeded to France with the 10th Bn on 9/1/16 and as such was one of the Grimsby Chums who enlisted into, trained, served and was killed with this battalion--so yes he was a true Grimsby Chum through and through--apart from the fact that he was not a Grimsby man, born and bred!!

Your man on the other hand was definitely not a G.C., but was merely a soldier who served with the battalion from sometime in 1917. Equally any soldier who joined this battalion in France and who had not originally enlisted into this battalion would not be classed as a G.C. even if he was killed on 1/7/16!! Some may argue otherwise, but to a purist G.C. collector this would not pass muster. The man's service number is the main criteria :thumbsup:

Robert

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DW

I see your point........I tend to look at the 'Originals as the first numbered upto 1600 or so who were with the unit during the FDoS effort .

So, a later soldier or another Lincolns man who transferred in at a later date, should have the quote 'served with the Grimsby Chums' not being an 'Original Grimsby Chum.'

As you say it is down to the purist or your preference.

The soldier I mentioned started out with one of the young mens battalions for training and went direct to the 10th, until wounded and then to the Labour Corps where he finished his war, being able to return home.

Dick

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  • 1 month later...

There is a Manchester Regiment 1914-1915 star and Victory that is currently at 380 quid listed on e**y I think. Not common for broken groups to go for 500 though

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Aren't we allowed to say Ebay?

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I err on the side of caution. Certainly on the British Medals Forum we tend not to to avoid unnecessary issues etc. Especially if someone spots a fake!

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Aren't we allowed to say Ebay?

Your question crops up quite often. And I've never seen any answer that explains why it is OK to write E**y but not Ebay. Similarly, you also see folk write An**stry.

Jo*n Ha**tley

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So far as I am aware, although such trade names are obviously registered as trademarks, there is no reason why the sites/companies cannot be mentioned and spelled out in full.

The concern of the GWF is that expressed in the rules: You will not make any statements that could be construed as defamatory of an individual, group or business.

Comments about items offered for sale, or previously sold must be made in that context, and the Forum could be held legally liable for permitting comment that fell into the area above.

Keith

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