Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private M. O’Brien, South Lancashire Regiment, who was severely wounded in action at the Battle of La Bassee in 1914, and was captured and taken Prisoner of War

1914 Star (6719 Pte. M. O’Brien. 2/S. Lan: R.); British War and Victory Medals (6719 Pte. M. O’Brien. S. Lan. R.) VM stained to obverse, nearly very fine (3) £100-£140

Matthew O’Brien was born in Mold, Flintshire, on 25 December 1879, and attested for the South Lancashire Regiment at Warrington on 9 October 1902. Posted to the East Indies from 1903-11, he served in France with the 2nd Battalion from 13 August 1914 and suffered a bayonet wound at La Bassee on 21 October 1914. Captured by the Germans, he was incarcerated at Soltau and Hanover camps, before being repatriated in December 1918 and discharged on 31 March 1920.