Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Lieutenant R. E. Preedy, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, who witnessed extensive action at Loos and during the Battle of the Somme, and later suffered from severe blood loss when two pieces of shell passed clean through his thigh during the German Spring Offensive of 1918

1914-15 Star (6487 C.Sjt. R. E. Preedy. D. of Corn. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. R. E. Preedy.) good very fine (3) £240-£280

Robert Edwin Preedy was born in Plymouth on 20 January 1882 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at Camelford on 15 February 1901. Posted overseas to Ceylon and South Africa, he suffered from iodine poisoning whilst serving with the 1st Battalion at Wynberg. Mobilised at Bodmin and advanced Regimental Sergeant Major on 9 September 1914, Preedy landed at Boulogne with the 7th (Service) Battalion on 23 July 1915 and witnessed his unit employed in the defence of front line trenches at the head of Rue Delvas during the Battle of Loos. 

Transferred to the Fleurbaix sector in January 1916, the Cornwall's moved to take command of the banks of the Yser Canal which were heavily waterlogged and pock-marked with shell holes. According to The History of the D.C.L.I., 1914-19, by Wyrall: 'The position was not always "healthy" when the enemy took it into his head to put over the "heavy stuff"... The work to be done is terrific and the line barely exists.' 

Life in the trenches during March 1916 was horrendous. The weather did its best to make things utterly miserable - frost, rain, sleet and snow alternating; after heavy snow had fallen, the sun would emerge and melt it, filling the trenches with icy, filthy water. The enemy was also extremely active, firing aerial torpedoes towards Preedy and the men of the 7th Battalion, causing extensive damage to the overwhelmed trench network. On 11 April 1916, the men encountered a significant German attack which was beaten back. Heavy shellfire characterised another attack on 14 June which resulted in 17 casualties, whilst the Battalion was later heavy engaged in the grim struggle for the possession of Guillemont on 23 August 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. The Battalion War Diary for 31 August 1916, adds: 'Very wet night. Men very tired. Many of the men developing a form of trench foot. Incessant bombardment in support of reserve trenches. Many tear or lachrymatory shells used by Hun in this area.' 

Surviving further assaults on Les Boeufs and Le Transloy, Preedy returned home to England on 14 April 1917 and was subsequently appointed to a Commission in the Special Reserve of Officers on 15 November 1917. Posted to the 3rd Battalion, he returned to France and was severely wounded in action on 1 April 1918 during the German offensive on the Somme; according to his Officer Service Record, Preedy suffered two shrapnel wounds to the right thigh which divided his femoral artery. Stretchered to No. 12 Field Ambulance and operated upon immediately, Preedy was later transferred to No. 8 General Hospital at Rouen and evacuated across the Channel to the 2nd Southern General Hospital in Bristol. The wound ended his war, and he was demobilised on 1 February 1919. He later returned to civilian life as an insurance superintendent for the Prudential and died in Stratford upon Avon on 15 November 1961.