A Collection of Medals for the Gallipoli Campaign

Three: Private J. C. Anderton, Manchester Regiment, who was killed in action at Gallipoli on 11 August 1915

1914-15 Star (965 Pte. J. C. Anderton. Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals (965 Pte. J. C. Anderton. Manch. R.); together with a Manchester Regiment cap badge, good very fine (3) £100-£140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals for the Gallipoli Campaign.

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John Chadwick Anderton was born at Coldhurst, Oldham, in 1891, and served with the 1/10th (Oldham) Battalion, Manchester Regiment, at Gallipoli from 5 May 1915. Sometime posted to “D” Company, he was present during the attack on the village of Krithia on 4 June 1915. A contemporary account by Lieutenant Bleakley adds:
‘The blazing gorse, the groans of the wounded, the artillery and rifle fire, the bombs and weird cheers of our troops as they made assault after assault... made the place a veritable hell on earth.’

Of the original 188 men of “D” Company, just 60 were successful in reaching the Turkish trenches; relieved two days later, only four made it back - a few days later the Company strength mustered just 27 men. Anderton was subsequently killed in action on 11 August 1915; he has no known grave and is commemorated upon the Helles Memorial, Turkey.

For the memorial plaque awarded to the recipient’s cousin, see Lot 52.