Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

1914-15 Star (6) (74872 Pnr: G. Brown. R.E.; 12297 Spr: J. Burgess. R.E.; 120106. Pnr. F. Sullivan. R.E.; 46530 Spr: J. Thomas. R.E.; 22843 Spr. S. J. Webster. R.E.; 114479. Pnr. A. A. Whitfield, R.E.) generally very fine and better (6) £100-£140

Francis Sullivan was born in Gateshead in 1878 and attested for the 3rd Provisional Company, Royal Engineers on 16 September 1915. Discharged due to sickness on 31 March 1916, he joined the 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (T.F.) as Bandsman on 20 July 1920.

James Thomas was born in West Hartlepool and worked pre-war as an apprentice at the South Durham Steel and Iron Company. He attested for the Royal Engineers in September 1914 and was awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 17 July 1917. Wounded on 26 October 1918, his Army Service Record notes that he was returned to the U.K. as a ‘pivotal man’ on 28 January 1919 - likely on account of his skill set.

Sydney James Webster served in France with the Royal Engineers from 13 December 1914. He died on 2 August 1919 and is buried at Gillingham (Woodlands) Cemetery, Kent.

Alfred Arthur Whitfield was born in Colchester in 1869 and attested for the Royal Engineers on 17 August 1915. His Army Service Record notes possible deafness, bronchitis and asthma, but this did not prevent the military authorities from sending him to a Labour Battalion; he was subsequently discharged due to sickness on 18 February 1916 and issued a silver war badge.