Pte. Joseph Rawstron (6382) 1st East Lancs: Died 06.07.15

[Blakeley]

Just over a week ago a set of four medals appeared on eBay. They caught my attention because they'd been awarded to a Joseph Rawstron of the 1st East Lancs, who died on the same day as my great grandfather, James McCarthy, also of the 1st East Lancs. According to the CWGC there were twenty-five men from the East Lancs killed on July 6, 1915, and the regimental diary mentions some twenty who died in one trench when it was hit by German artillery.

Naturally I wanted the medals for my collection, and after some fairly strong bidding by others during the course of the week I managed to acquire them. I'm posting photographs of them here, along with this link to a BBC TV program called, Boesinghe: The Forgotten Battlefield.

I hope you find this interesting...

[stdape2011]

It's nice to get all the details. Mind you price goes up on some, and just copies from internet. At least you have some original docs

[ralphjd]

A very nice set, well done in acquiring them. Soldiers Died has 23 kia that particular day. Ralph.

[Guest whitevanman]

Hi, it is with great pleasure that I respond to this posting to see that my Great Uncle Joes medals have survived, ironically my daughter Krystal nominated him on the roll of honour to be read out at a service at the tower of London last Monday which she attended.

If anyone knows any more information or if possible the area that you purchased the medals from, it would be greatly appreciated as this would help enormously our search of our family tree.

Hargreaves Rawstron

111 Rochdale Road

Bacup

Lancashire

OL13 9NS

Telephone: 01706872641