Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Private C. R. Church, 1st Regiment, South African Infantry, who was killed in action during the German Spring Offensive on 24 March 1918
British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (16531 Pte. C. R. Church 1 SAI) these both later issues, glue residue to reverse of both, nearly extremely fine

Pair: Private E. E. Larsen, 1st Regiment, South African Infantry, who was killed in action on 18 July 1916
British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte. E. E. Larsen. 1st. S.A.I.) glue residue to reverse of both, very fine (4) £140-£180

This lot is to be sold as part of a special collection, The Bernard Harris Collection of Medals to the 1st Regiment, South African Infantry.

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Cecil Redvers Church was born in Cape Town on 29 June 1895 and attested for the 1st South African Infantry on 24 July 1917. Her embarked from Southampton to Rouen on 14 February 1918 and joined “A” Company in the trenches to the north-west of Peronne. Initially reported as missing in action on 24 March 1918, his death was later reported to his father Jacob de V. Church on 3 October 1918; he is buried at Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem-Monacu, France.

Sold with copied service record and a colour photograph of the recipient’s headstone.



Ernest Edward Larsen was born in 1897, the son of Ellen Larsen of 22 Diesel Street, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He attested for the 1st South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 23 August 1915 and witnessed initial service in Egypt from 29 December 1915. Sent to Mustapha suffering from scabies, he was transferred to France on 15 April 1916 and was killed in action a short while later during the battle of the Somme; aged 19 years he is commemorated upon the Thiepval Memorial.

Sold with copied service record and CWGC entries.