Baldwin & Sons
Auction 75 26 September 2012
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MILITARY MEDALS. Campaign Groups. A fascinating Great War 1914-15 Trio awarded to Charles B Wadsworth, 9th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, killed in action 25 April 1918, himself the elder brother of Sam Wadsworth, Royal Garrison Artillery - Professional Footballer with Blackburn, Huddersfield and Burnley, and soon after his return from the Great War, England International Captain, 1914-15 Star (14562 Pte. C. B. Wadsworth. Yorks: L.I.), British War and Victory Medals (Pte.); officially impressed, group court mounted on board. Toned, pleasing extremely fine. (3)
Charles and Sam Wadsworth were born in Darwen, Lancashire – the sons of one James Wadsworth of 11 Hollins Row, Darwen. Charles enlisted to serve with the 9th Battalion KOYLIs in the Great War. He was killed in action 25 April 1918, at the age of 24, and is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Joining up at the age of 17, his younger brother Sam Wadsworth attested for service with the Royal Garrison Artillery and went to fight in France and Belgium, about which he stated in a newspaper report: 'It was my duty.' He received a shrapnel wound to his left ankle whilst serving in the trenches and despite his eventual safe return home after the war, he struggled to deal with the loss of his brother, who according to a newspaper article had been wounded but had demanded to return to the fighting: 'I came home, but Charlie didn't. He lies in Belgium. I had lost my best friend and supporter...(but)...I began to realise...I had to get on with my life.' Despite his career-threatening wound and the tragic loss of his brother, he went on to become England Captain at the position of Left Back. Amongst many famous events, had the privilege of leading out the England team in front of 92,000 roaring fans at Hampden Park before a match against Scotland in April 1925.
Sold with two 'Lancashire Evening Telegraph' articles concerning Sam Wadsworth, which mention the above medal group recipient, his brother, Charles.
Estimate: £200-250
Charles and Sam Wadsworth were born in Darwen, Lancashire – the sons of one James Wadsworth of 11 Hollins Row, Darwen. Charles enlisted to serve with the 9th Battalion KOYLIs in the Great War. He was killed in action 25 April 1918, at the age of 24, and is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Joining up at the age of 17, his younger brother Sam Wadsworth attested for service with the Royal Garrison Artillery and went to fight in France and Belgium, about which he stated in a newspaper report: 'It was my duty.' He received a shrapnel wound to his left ankle whilst serving in the trenches and despite his eventual safe return home after the war, he struggled to deal with the loss of his brother, who according to a newspaper article had been wounded but had demanded to return to the fighting: 'I came home, but Charlie didn't. He lies in Belgium. I had lost my best friend and supporter...(but)...I began to realise...I had to get on with my life.' Despite his career-threatening wound and the tragic loss of his brother, he went on to become England Captain at the position of Left Back. Amongst many famous events, had the privilege of leading out the England team in front of 92,000 roaring fans at Hampden Park before a match against Scotland in April 1925.
Sold with two 'Lancashire Evening Telegraph' articles concerning Sam Wadsworth, which mention the above medal group recipient, his brother, Charles.
Estimate: £200-250