Three: Second Lieutenant W. S. Simmonds, Rifle Brigade, a Somme casualty

1914-15 Star (887 Sjt., R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut.) nearly extremely fine (3) £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of of Great War Medals to the Rifle Brigade.

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Walter Sangster Simmonds was educated at Eastbourne College and London University and was a schoolmaster. He enlisted in the 19th (Public Schools) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers in September 1914 and was promoted to Corporal in February 1915 and to Sergeant in May. In November he accompanied the battalion to France and returned in March 1916 to train for a commission. He was commissioned in the Rifle Brigade in July 1916 and joined the 12th (S) Battalion in France on 10 September. Just one month later, on 7 October 1916, he commanded “B” Company in the attack on Rainbow Trench, east of Guedecourt. The leading companies left their trenches in dead ground but as they advanced out of this comparative safety they found themselves in front of virtually uncut German wire being machine-gunned and shelled. All five officers of “A” and “B” Companies were killed or wounded here, as were about half their men. 2nd Lieutenant Simmonds has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.