Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Lance-Corporal R. Crompton, Seaforth Highlanders, who was killed in action at Neuve Chappelle on 11 November 1914

1914 Star, with clasp (722 L. Cpl. R. Crompton. 1/Sea: Highrs:); British War and Victory Medals (722 Pte. R. Crompton. Sea. Highrs.) nearly extremely fine (3) £140-£180

Robert Norman Charles Crompton was born in Camberwell, London, in 1891, and attested for the Seaforth Highlanders at Canterbury. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 12 October 1914, and was killed during the occupation of trenches near Neuve Chapelle during the closing phase of the First Battle of Ypres- the 1st Battalion’s War Diary gives the following entry for 11 November 1914:
’12 Midnight 10/11th November, Neuve Chapelle, battalion vacated trenches and retired some hundred yards while every available gun bombarded Neuve Chapelle, right up to our fire trench. At 12.45 a.m. bombardment ceased and we reoccupied without opposition. Very heavy shelling from high explosive howitzers, percussion shrapnel from field guns all day, several of “A” and “B” Company’s trenches knocked about and evacuated temporarily. Very cold, high wind and rain, casualties 4 killed, 9 wounded (1 accidentally).’

Crompton was amongst those killed. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France.

Sold with copied Medal Index Card and other research.