Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

1914 Star (1288 Sjt. F. E. Ball. 1/13 Lond: R.); 1914-15 Star (2) (1312 Pte. A. J. Ruddle. 5-Lond. R.; 2637, Pte. R. Baulch. 8-Lond. R.) traces of verdigris to second, this fine; the first and last nearly extremely fine (3) £100-£140

Frederick Edmund Ball, an artist, enlisted in the London Regiment at Wallingford on 22 February 1909 and served in France with the 1/13th Battalion, London Regiment from 3 November 1914. His Army Service Record states:
‘9 May 1915. Fromelles. France: Wounded during charge at Fromelles. Sent to 24th Field Ambulance, Sailly La Lys, where operation (extraction of shot or shell and drainage) was performed. Was sent to 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge, where had other operations performed (reopening wound & extraction of other steel fragments). Remained there from May 15 1915 to November 23rd 1915. Sent to Eastbourne (Convalescent Camp, Summerdown) till January 4th... Joined unit Richmond January 13th. Since then have been continuously on very light duties (Sergeant’s Mess).’

Ball slowly recovered from the wound to his thigh and three subsequent operations, but was discharged at Portsmouth as permanently unfit for further military service in April 1916.

Arthur James Ruddle initially served in France with the 5th London Regiment from 1 September 1915. Transferred to the 17 Battalion, London Regiment, his MIC states ‘died of dysentery’ on 2 June 1918. He is buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery.

Richard Baulch was born at Glencourse, Midlothian, in 1896, and served as a Bugler with the London Regiment (Post Office Rifles). He was killed in action on 21 May 1916; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.

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