The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals

Three: Private A. D. Pettengall, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was killed in action at the Battle of Le Cateau on 26 August 1914

1914 Star (2024 Pte. A. D. Pettengall. 2/Lan. Fus.) with torn OHMS outer envelope addressed to, ‘Mrs C. Pettengall, 45 Benwell Rd. Drayton Park, Holloway, London’; British War and Victory Medals (2024 Pte. A. D. Pettingall [sic]. Lan. Fus.) with flattened named lid of card box of issue and torn OHMS outer envelope, similarly addressed; Memorial Plaque (Albert Daniel Pettengall) in card envelope, extremely fine (4) £280-£320

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals.

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Albert Daniel Pettengall was born in 1892 in Marylebone, London and attested for the Lancashire Fusiliers at Bury, Lancashire in February 1910. Following the outbreak of the Great War, he entrained with ‘A’ Company of the 2nd Battalion for Southampton on 21 August and embarked on the S.S. Saturnia, arriving at Boulogne, France on 23 August 1914 as part of the 12th Brigade in General Snow’s 4th Division. The following day the battalion travelled by train to Bertry then marched to Ligny. Here on 25 August they were ordered to advanced to Viesly but later withdrew during the night to positions just north-west of Ligny before coming under the command of II Corps just as General Smith-Dorrien decided to make his stand in the rolling country around Le Caudry, to the west of Le Cateau, declaring, ‘Very well, gentlemen, we will fight, and I will ask General Snow to act under me as well.’ Smith-Dorrien’s decision to fight this important delaying rearguard action may well have saved the British from destruction by the massive German onslaught during the general Allied retreat following sustained German successes at the four Battles of the Frontiers.

The location, a long ridge running west-east with Le Cateau at its eastern end, was far from ideal. The ground was soft, so easy for the troops to dig in, but it lacked cover, was dominated by a German-held ridge to the north and, worst of all, both flanks were open. The west, held by 4th Division, was absolutely vulnerable to flanking movements designed to encircle II Corps. Snow now set up his Division HQ at the village of Haucourt with 12th Brigade furthest forward on the left near Esnes and Longsart and the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers on a line of high ground near Longsart Farm between Haucourt and Wambaix. Coming under attack during the early morning of 26 August, they suffered heavy casualties but, managing to rally, held the extreme left of the British line until the B.E.F. was able to retreat, only later falling back to positions on a ridge south-west of Haucourt.

Six officers of the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers were recorded killed at Le Cateau but Major-General J. C. Latter, C.B.E., M.C., in the War Diary of the Lancashire Fusiliers was uncertain of the number of other ranks killed. Some 3 officers and 86 other ranks had been wounded and 6 officers and 402 other ranks were listed as missing. Private Pettengall was later confirmed among the dead.

He was the son of John and Charlotte Pettengall of 45 Benwell Road, Drayton Park, Holloway, London and having no know grave, is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, France.

Sold together with the following items of ephemera: the recipient’s ‘Soldiers’ Small Book’; an envelope, post dated 13 Sep 13 addressed to ‘Pte A. Pettengall, No. 2024. D Company, 2nd Lanc. Fusiliers, Military Hospital, Dover’; Record Office letters of transmission for 1914 Star, Victory Medal and 1914 Clasp; the recipient’s parent’s marriage certificate; and a poignant letter written by the recipient to his mother on 21 August 1914, five days before his death:
‘Dear Mother,
I write these few lines to let you know I am going to embark for the front probably tonight. We shall probably be going over the water tonight. You must not upset yourselves over me but keep up the best spirits as it is a thing that cannot be helped and I only hope that I shall come back safe to you. I will write whenever it is possible for me to do to you so as to let you know how I am getting on. This is to give you no anxiety. When you write to me put the address I have written on top of the letter then it will find me wherever I am. Give my best love to Dad and Jacky also my dear little sister whose photo I am taking with me and I hope I shall come back to you for good.
From your loving son, Albert. xx
P.S. Good bye and God Bless you all. Forgive me for all my past wrongs so I can go happy and easy at mind. From Albert.
Write soon for I do not know when I shall get your letter and keep up best of spirits all of you. Good bye for the present.’