Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private F. Varnham, Manchester Regiment, who was severely wounded at Neuve Chapelle in March 1915

1914 Star (7809 Pte. F. Varnham. 1/Manch: R.); British War and Victory Medals (7809 Pte. F. Varnham. Manch R.) mounted court-style for display, good very fine (3) £80-£100

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Robert Barltrop Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment.

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Frederick Varnham was born in Greenwich around October 1888. At a young age he was sent to the training Ship Exmouth at Grays, Essex, run by the Forest Gate School District, which trained boys from poor families in skills they could use in a naval or merchant navy career. However, on 27 June 1902, at the age of 13, he attested at Aldershot as a private in 4th Battalion, Manchester Regiment. He joined his battalion in Cork in the Summer of 1902, just after its return from South Africa. On the disbandment of the 4th Battalion in 1906 he was posted to the 2nd Battalion and appointed Lance Corporal on 20 July 1911, but reverted to Private at his own request in April 1913. He was discharged from the army in June 1914 ‘time expired’, but joined the Army Reserve a few days later.

Varnham was mobilised and posted to 3rd Battalion on the outbreak of the Great War, and on 9 November 1914 he went to France to join the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment. On 12 March 1915 his battalion was ordered to attack Bois de Biez, to the South East of Neuve Chapelle; during this attack Varnham was severely wounded with shrapnel wounds in the right leg and knee and was evacuated to the U.K. the following day. He was discharged from the army ‘being no longer fit for war service’ on 22 April 1916 and was issued Silver War Badge No. 154883. He died at Ashton Under Lyne in 1963.

Sold with copied service papers and other research.