One: Lance Corporal C. M. Woolley, 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 10 October 1916

British War Medal 1914-20 (C-12671 Pte. C. M. Woolley. K. C. Rif. C.); Memorial Plaque (Charles McKenzie Woolley); Memorial Scroll ‘L. Cpl. Charles McKenzie Woolley, King’s Royal Rifle Corps’, in tube of issue, addressed to ‘Mrs. M .Woolley, 27 Briars Road, Nether Edge, Sheffield’, about extremely fine (3) £100-£140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

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Charles McKenzie Woolley was born in Scalthwaiterigg, Westmoreland, on 29 Jan 1888, the son of William and Mary Woolley, and was educated at Kendal Grammar School. By 1911 had found work as a Schoolmaster while living in Eccleshall, Yorkshire. On 20 November 1915, now married, he attested for the King’s Royal Rifle Corps and was posted to the 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion, where he was appointed Lance-Corporal in 1916. He was killed in action during the Great War on the Western Front on 10 October 1916, in the latter days of the Battle of the Somme.

Shortly before, on 15 September, the battalion had taken part in the assault on Flers and the German stronghold known as the Switch Line. The 21st Battalion cleared Tea Support trench and the line itself when it led the assault with the 10th Battalion, the Queen’s Regiment, sadly costing the life of its founder and Battalion Commanding Officer, the Earl of Faversham. On 7 October, the Yeoman Rifles were again in action in an attack on Bayonet Trench which cost the 124th Brigade dearly. The 21st Battalion then withdrew to Mametz where, just three days later, on 10 October 1916, Charles Woolley lost his life. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Sold with copied research, including photographs of his name on the Thiepval Memorial.