Baldwin & Sons
Auction 106 15 Sep 2022
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A 1914, 4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish), casualty group awarded to Private Charles Richardson who was Killed in Action on the 1st of November 1914 at Messines comprising 1914 Star with original Aug‑Nov clasp, (1085 Pte. C. Richardson. 4/D.Gds.), 1914‑1920 British war and Victory Medals, (D‑1085 Pte. C. Richardson 4‑D. Gds.), Memorial Plaque (Charles Richardson), medals contemporarily mounted for wear on cardboard, toned very fine. (4).
Private Charles Richardson landed in France as a reinforcement for the 4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish) on the 15th of September 1914, his Medal Index Card confirms the 1914 Star, clasp, British War and Victory Medals.
On the 31st of October 1914 the 4th Dragoons were dismounted and acting as infantry in the area around Messines to support the 1st cavalry Brigade, 3 Squadrons and HQ took up positions of readiness by a wood due west of the Messines‑Wytschaete Road. The reserve Squadron was heavily shelled all day and two supporting Squadrons were at once thrown into the firing‑line at Messines. The two Squadron's and "C" at Messines were heavily engaged all day and in conjunction with the 1st Cavalry Brigade forced to retire from Trenches East of the Town to holding the West half of the Town. At 7pm Reserve and HQ Squadron ordered up to the town to take up positions section of defence. Much Street fighting ensued the enemy holding one half of the town, we the other, their bands could be plainly heard playing West of the Town, it was also quite possible to hear them talking.
1st of November 1914 Reveille at 3am, stood to arms having placed the section in a thorough sate of
defence for street fighting. The enemy commenced bombardment again at about 5.45am.
At 6am we discovered that the 2nd Cavalry Division and the London Scottish had been driven back during the night and the Germans had broken through our own left the above named having failed to inform us of their retirement, Our left rear was now seriously threatened and Major Solly Hood ordered one Squadron of the 18th Hussars and the West Yorks who had been ordered in on our left to advance to protect the left. This they accomplished in conjunction with the West Yorks with great gallantry, the Germans falling back with heavy loss the enemy being reinforced advanced to attack again on our left rear, owing to the position being dangerously threatened we were ordered to retire and evacuate Messines. This was completed, the retirement being carried out in excellent order and all the wounded evacuated. The retirement being covered by "B" Squadron and 1 Squadron of 18th Hussars. We now took a fresh line of trenches on the West of Messines the infantry holding the line South of Messines‑Wulvergem road the Cavalry (i.e., 2nd Cav. Bde.) line North of that Road to the crossroads about 11/2 miles due West of the 4th Milestone on the Messines‑Wytschaete Road. Any further attempts on the Germans to advance that day was easily repulsed and at night fall we were relived by the 1st Cavalry brigade. Regiment shelled all day. Billeted for the night at Wulvergem.
Casualties.
Captain Kirkwood Wounded, Captain Wright Wounded, Lt Railstone killed, Lt Davidson Wounded Lt. Westenhaugh wounded 2 Lt Powell Killed 41 NCOs and men Killed and wounded.
After the War Private Richardson's body was not located and he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres. He was the son of Elizabeth Ellen Richardson of 2, Ashfield Road, Frandsen, Suffolk and the late Charles Richardson; husband of Elizabeth
Hannah Richardson of Billericay Road, Herongate, Brentwood Essex, Charles was 31 years old.
Sold with copy War Diary extracts, copy Medal Index Card, Copy Commonwealth War Graves Commission details.
Private Charles Richardson landed in France as a reinforcement for the 4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish) on the 15th of September 1914, his Medal Index Card confirms the 1914 Star, clasp, British War and Victory Medals.
On the 31st of October 1914 the 4th Dragoons were dismounted and acting as infantry in the area around Messines to support the 1st cavalry Brigade, 3 Squadrons and HQ took up positions of readiness by a wood due west of the Messines‑Wytschaete Road. The reserve Squadron was heavily shelled all day and two supporting Squadrons were at once thrown into the firing‑line at Messines. The two Squadron's and "C" at Messines were heavily engaged all day and in conjunction with the 1st Cavalry Brigade forced to retire from Trenches East of the Town to holding the West half of the Town. At 7pm Reserve and HQ Squadron ordered up to the town to take up positions section of defence. Much Street fighting ensued the enemy holding one half of the town, we the other, their bands could be plainly heard playing West of the Town, it was also quite possible to hear them talking.
1st of November 1914 Reveille at 3am, stood to arms having placed the section in a thorough sate of
defence for street fighting. The enemy commenced bombardment again at about 5.45am.
At 6am we discovered that the 2nd Cavalry Division and the London Scottish had been driven back during the night and the Germans had broken through our own left the above named having failed to inform us of their retirement, Our left rear was now seriously threatened and Major Solly Hood ordered one Squadron of the 18th Hussars and the West Yorks who had been ordered in on our left to advance to protect the left. This they accomplished in conjunction with the West Yorks with great gallantry, the Germans falling back with heavy loss the enemy being reinforced advanced to attack again on our left rear, owing to the position being dangerously threatened we were ordered to retire and evacuate Messines. This was completed, the retirement being carried out in excellent order and all the wounded evacuated. The retirement being covered by "B" Squadron and 1 Squadron of 18th Hussars. We now took a fresh line of trenches on the West of Messines the infantry holding the line South of Messines‑Wulvergem road the Cavalry (i.e., 2nd Cav. Bde.) line North of that Road to the crossroads about 11/2 miles due West of the 4th Milestone on the Messines‑Wytschaete Road. Any further attempts on the Germans to advance that day was easily repulsed and at night fall we were relived by the 1st Cavalry brigade. Regiment shelled all day. Billeted for the night at Wulvergem.
Casualties.
Captain Kirkwood Wounded, Captain Wright Wounded, Lt Railstone killed, Lt Davidson Wounded Lt. Westenhaugh wounded 2 Lt Powell Killed 41 NCOs and men Killed and wounded.
After the War Private Richardson's body was not located and he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres. He was the son of Elizabeth Ellen Richardson of 2, Ashfield Road, Frandsen, Suffolk and the late Charles Richardson; husband of Elizabeth
Hannah Richardson of Billericay Road, Herongate, Brentwood Essex, Charles was 31 years old.
Sold with copy War Diary extracts, copy Medal Index Card, Copy Commonwealth War Graves Commission details.