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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 584

(x) Three: Private G. H. S. Barnett, 'F' Company, 1st Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 25th Reinforcements, who was killed in action at the Somme during the German Spring Offensive on 27 March 1918

British War and Victory Medals (49503 Pte. G. H. S. Barnett. N.Z.E.F.), the naming of the second impressed upside down; Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Godfrey Harry Steel Barnett), minor edge bruising, overall very fine (3)

Godfrey Harry Steel Barnett was born at Waitahuna Gully, around 1894, the son of Abraham and Laura Barnett of St. Oamaru, North Otago. He was farming prior to the outbreak of the Great War, enlisting on 8 March 1917 with the 1st Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, Barnett embarked for Plymouth on 26 April 1917 as part of the 25th Reinforcements. The New Zealand Division took part in a number of actions around Messines and Ypres in 1917 and by Spring 1918 they had been withdrawn from the line to recuperate. When the German Spring Offensive began in March 1918, they were rushed into the line to help plug the gaps caused by the forceful assaults. On the 26-27 March several brigades were particularly heavily engaged around Auchonvillers and Hamel with numerous German attacks repulsed on the 27 March. Barnett was killed on 27 March and is remembered upon the Grevillers (New Zealand) Memorial; sold together with a cut-down War Service cards and copied Commonwealth War Graves details and Cenotaph Database records.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£250

Starting price
£130