Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private A. Ratcliffe, Grenadier Guards, who was gassed on the Western Front, and died at home in April 1918

1914-15 Star (22120 Pte. A. Ratcliffe. G. Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (22120 Pte. A. Ratcliffe. G. Gds.) good very fine (3) £80-£120

Arthur Ratcliffe, a native of Boothstown, near Salford, Lancashire, was born on 23 November 1895 and attested for the Grenadier Guards in January 1915. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 November 1915, as part of the 2nd Brigade, Guards Division, which saw action at the Battle of the Somme, the 3rd Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele, and the Battle of Cambrai. He was discharged on account of disability on 7 April 1918, after bring gassed, and was awarded a Silver War Badge. He died at home later that month, and was buried in St. Mark’s Churchyard, Worsley, Lancashire, on 15 April 1918.

Sold with the recipient’s large honourable discharge certificate; a letter written from the front by the recipient to his mother; and a newspaper cutting regarding the recipient’s funeral, containing a photograph of the recipient.