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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 495

(x) Three: Rifleman T. Foley, 2nd Battalion, Trentham Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force who was discharged in 1917 with neurasthenia following severe shell shock

1914-15 Star (24/421 Rflm. T. Foley. N.Z.E.F.); British War and Victory Medals (24/421 Rflm. T. Foley. N.Z.E.F.), mounted as worn, contact marks, good very fine (3)

Thomas Foley was born at Auckland, New Zealand on 25 February 1885. After working as a labourer he enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on 29 May 1915. In November 1916 he was blown up by a shell explosion and sent to No. 1 Field Ambulance at Fleurbaix in France and later returned to duty. Foley was again sent to hospital and transferred to Etaples before being sent to England where he was eventually discharged on 16 November 1917, suffering from neurasthenia.

Extracted from his medical report is a summary of his condition supporting his discharge:

'He is shaky with facial and lingual tremors. Answers questions in a dull manner. Has apparently great difficulty in remembering recent events. Is apparently in a dazed condition. Knee jerks normal. Pupils react normal. Face flushed. Cardiac sounds normal. He looks older than his given age. The sister of the ward reports- Pte Foley has been under my care for nearly 2 months. He has lost his memory and continually complains of headaches and giddiness. If there is any sudden disturbance, fire drill, or noise he is quite stupid for hours. I never let him go out of the ward alone. He seems to be getting worse.'

Sold together with his copied service papers and a significant archive of original documents including:

i)
Soldiers pay book.

ii)
Soldiers writing outfit.

iii)
Letter regarding his army pension.

iv)
Wound disability tag.

v)
His invalid medical report.

vi)
Authority card for his discharge badge.

vii)
Photo of Foley in uniform.

viii)
A folder containing employer references.

ix)
Authority to wear his silver war badge.

x)
Army discharge certificate.

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

Sold for
£180

Starting price
£100