Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 350

'Some had never woken up; apparently the shock appeared to have stopped their hearts. They were stretched out, white, gaunt, drawn faces, with eyes nearly bolting out of their heads. Others were greatly cut up, mangled, bleeding and some were blown limb from limb'

(The haunting testimony of Gideon Gardner, a witness to the rescue work undertaken on the ruins of the Chatham Drill Hall)

A rare and tragic 'Chatham Drill Hall Air Raid' casualty's Victory Medal awarded to Stoker Class II W. A. Curd, Royal Navy, who was killed in the destruction of the Drill Hall on 3 September 1917

Victory Medal 1914-1919 (K.35204. W. A. Curd. Sto. 2. R.N.), minor contact wear overall, very fine

William Alfred Curd was born at Dover, Kent on 14 November 1891 and enlisted with the Royal Navy on 31 July 1916 at H.M.S. Pembroke II. After a posting to H.M.S. Dartmouth Curd returned to Chatham and was present at the Drill Hall on the night of 3 September 1917 when a squadron of Gotha G.V. bombers launched a daring night raid. At the time the Hall was being used as accommodation for the influx of men caused by the sinking of H.M.S. Vanguard, a situation worsened by an outbreak of spotted fever which necessitated social distancing.

The result of this was that the Chatham Drill Hall was full when a bomb smashed through its glass roof at 11:12 at night and detonated in the centre of the room. Over 100 men were killed during the raid with a large number of those being the men sleeping in the Drill Hall with eyewitness accounts stating that it was often impossible to identify the bodies. Curd was buried in the Gillingham (Woodlands) Cemetery, Kent; sold together with copied research comprising a Commonwealth War Graves certificate, Service Record and transcribed casualty list.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£160

Starting price
£30