WW1 Victory Medal (Single medal only) awarded to Private THOMAS HENRY GROVER of the 7th Bn West Yorkshire Regiment, the ‘Leeds Rifles’ - KIA opening phase (first 24 hours) Battle of the Somme

Stock Reference – MM-MED-0020

WW1 Victory Medal (Single medal only) awarded to Private THOMAS HENRY GROVER of the 7^th Bn West Yorkshire Regiment, the ‘Leeds Rifles’ - KIA opening phase (first 24 hours) Battle of the Somme

You are looking at a single WW1 Victory Medal inscribed ‘'4445 PTE. T.H.GROVER. W.YORK.R.'.

THOMAS was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, and his family the Memorial Plaque (Death Penny).

Thomas was a rifleman with the 1^st/7^th Battalion the West Yorkshire Regiment, the ‘Leeds Rifles’ and according to military records (Commonwealth War Graves Commission), he was killed in action on the 2^nd of July 1916, during the opening phase (first 24 hours) of the Battle of the Somme.

The 7^th Battalion, the ‘Leeds Rifles’ as they are referred to, were a territorial battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own). At the outbreak of war, the Battalion were in Carlton Barracks Leeds and after some local movement between camps, were deployed to France in the March of 1915, where they were part of the 146^th Infantry Brigade, the 49^th (West Riding) Division.

At 9am on the 1^st of July 1916, the start of the ‘Battle of the Somme’, the 1/7^th Battalion were ordered to move to assembly trenches in Thiepval Wood, and at 3:30pm, the 146^th Infantry Brigade instructed the 5^th and 6^th Battalions WYR to attack Thiepval Village, with the 8^th Battalion in support and the 7^th Battalion in reserve. The 7^th Bn were then moved into assembly trenches in the vicinity of Belfast City in Thiepval Wood but immediately ordered to reinforce the British front line. Whilst reinforcing the front line as instructed, overnight 1^st/2^nd of July, C and D Companies of the 1/7^th were ordered to assist the 36^th Division, whilst A and B Companies remained in position, before gradually withdrawing from the front-line trenches to an assembly point near to Gordon Castle. By 3:15 pm of the 2^nd of July, the 146^th Infantry Brigade were relieved by the 147^th and 148^th Brigades.    

According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 28 year old Thomas GROVER died on the 2^nd of July, but it is clear from the 1/7^th Battalion war diary, that the unit was heavily involved in the fighting in Thiepval Wood on the 1^st of July and overnight into the 2^nd, and Thomas was likely killed during this continuing action, so the seller is satisfied that this soldier fits the criteria as a first 24 hours of the Battle of the Somme casualty……From an assessment of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records, there are 12 soldiers from the 1^st/7^th Battalion who are recorded as having died on the 1^st of July, and 20 soldiers who died on the 2^nd of July, and the majority are commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial.

It is also apparent that Thomas, although recorded as having died on the 2^nd of July according to the CWGC, was initially reported as missing, and he was listed as such within the ‘missing’ section of the Leeds Mercury Newspaper dated the 25^th of July 1916.

According to historical records, the first day of the Battle of the Somme resulted in 57470 casualties, with the Yorkshire regiments alone accounting for circa 9000 men killed, injured or reported missing.

George SANDERS of the 1^st/7^th Battalion was awarded the Victoria Cross for his role in the events of the 1^st/2^nd of July, and an account of what he did gives you an idea as to what the 7^th Battalion were involved in.  

GEORGE SANDERS – Awarded Victoria Cross for his involvement 1^st Day of the Somme

George enlisted for service on November 9th 1914 and was drafted to the 1/7th Battalion, The Prince of Wales Own Yorkshire Regiment-Leeds Rifles.

After spells of training at York and Gainsborough the battalion sailed for France and landed at Boulogne in April of 1915.

The battalion spent the night of June 30th 1916 in support trenches in Aveluy Wood, across the river Ancre and directly behind the Ulster division who were massed in Thiepval Wood.

As documented earlier, the Ulstermen went over in the first wave and George Sanders with the West Yorks were ordered forward to support at 9.00 on July 1st. They moved forward to trenches at Belfast City in Thiepval Wood and were then pushed into the battle in support of the Ulster division against the formidable German strongpoint of the Schwaben Redoubt.

Amidst the confused scenes on the battlefield the West Yorks were withdrawn late in the day but George Sanders with around thirty men was left behind isolated after an assault on a section of the German line. He immediately set about organising their defence and bombing parties, all the while impressing on the men that his and their duty was to hold the position at all costs.

They continued to hold the position through the night and on the morning of the 2nd July drove off a German attack and managed to rescue some prisoners the enemy had captured. Throughout the second day they fought off a further two counter attacks and spent a second night in their isolated position. They were finally relieved early on the morning of the third day.

George Sanders showed great courage, determination and leadership during their ordeal, finally returning to the British lines with nineteen men of his party.

They had been without food or water throughout, giving what they did have to the wounded on the first night in isolation.

Corporal George Sanders was invested with his Victoria Cross, by the King, at Buckingham Palace on November 18th 1916.

Thomas Henry GROVER, born 1888 at Bermondsey in London, was the son of Thomas and Madeline GROVER. In 1901 he was living with his parents in Leeds, and in 1911, he was employed as a railway carman.

SELLER NOTE = Supporting documentation obtained and / or created during my research into this medal will be provided.