Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Private E. J. W. Wren, 20th (County of London) Battalion (Blackheath and Woolwich), London Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 27 September 1918

British War and Victory Medals (3200 Pte. E. J. W. Wren. 20-Lond. R.); Memorial Plaque (Ernest John William Wren) minor patches of verdigris to plaque, otherwise nearly extremely fine (3) £120-£160

Ernest John William Wren was born in Bermondsey in 1891, the second son of railway engine driver Edwin Wren of 19 Ablett Street, Camberwell, London. Recorded in 1911 as a motor repairing apprentice, he attested for the 20th London Regiment and served on the Western Front from 25 June 1916 to 25 November 1916. Present on the opening day of the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, 15 September 1916, Wren witnessed a ‘confused and desperate’ fight for control of High Wood which resulted in heavy casualties. This was followed by the Battle of Transloy Ridge and the Capture of Eaucourt L’Abbaye in early October 1916, and sustained attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt.

Transferred to Macedonia and Egypt, Wren returned to the trenches of France and Flanders on 30 June 1918. He survived the Battle of Albert from 22-23 August 1918 and the advance of 141 Brigade under a creeping barrage at Bapaume in early September 1918, but was killed during attempts to move forward and keep in touch with the retreating Germans. He is buried at Flesquieres Hill British Cemetery.

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