Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private W. F. Chesterton, 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, who was killed in action during the attack on Ovillers on the Somme on 3 July 1916, on which date the battalion suffered over 450 casualties

1914-15 Star (20219 Pte. W. F. Chesterton. Suff: R.); British War and Victory Medals (20219 Pte. W. F. Chesterton. Suff. R.) good very fine (3) £120-£160

William F. Chesterton was born in Camberwell and attested for the Suffolk Regiment. He served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 19 October 1915, and was killed in action on 3 July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. On this date the Battalion moved in to support trenches from Hénencourt Wood during the early hours of the morning and then, with the 5th Battalion, Royal Berkshires, led the attack on Ovillers. The first four waves came under heavy fire but managed to clear the enemy’s positions as far as their third line, and part of the attacking force entered the village. After severe fighting in which all the Battalion’s company commanders were killed the assault was brought to a standstill and the survivors were forced to withdraw. The Battalion suffered total casualties that day of 450.

Chesterton has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.