A Small Collection of Medals to the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment (Territorial Force)

Three: Private C. Clark, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who died of pneumonia in Syria on 26 November 1918
British War and Victory Medals (37281 Pte. C. Clark. Essex R.); Memorial Plaque (Clarence Clarke [sic]) the plaque pierced with four holes around edge (three subsequently plugged), therefore fine; the pair nearly extremely fine

British War Medal 1914-20 (1569 Pte. O. G. King. Essex. R.) good very fine (4) £80-£100

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Small Collection of Medals to the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment (Territorial Force).

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Clarence Clarke was born in Skipton, Yorkshire, and attested for the Army Service Corps at Keighley. Transferring to the Essex Regiment, he served with the 5th Battalion in the Egyptian theatre of War, and died of pneumonia in Syria on 26 November 1918, presumably a victim of the influenza pandemic. He is buried in Beirut War Cemetery, Lebanon.

Oliver George King was born in Great Tey, Essex, in 1895 and attested for the Essex Regiment at Halstead. He served as a Corporal with the 5th Battalion during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 9 August 1915, before being discharged on termination of engagement in 1916, and subsequently re-enlisted in the regular forces, seeing further service with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front. Promoted Sergeant, he was killed in action during the attack at Monchy-le-Preux on 14 April 1917, on which date the Battalion was almost wiped out. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.

Sold with copied Medal Index Card, which shows that King’s British War and Victory Medals should have been issued with the rank of Sergeant; why it shows Private is presumably due to an error at the Mint.