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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 320

Three: Private C. E. Morgan, 1st Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, who was killed in action on 23 October 1914 at the Kortekeer Cabaret, Steenbeek - an action in which Captain Stanley-Creek took a D.S.O.

1914 Star (L-5991 Pte. C. E. Morgan. 1/The Queen's R.); British War and Victory Medals (L-5991 Pte. C. E. Morgan. The Queen's R.), good very fine (3)

Charles Edward Morgan was born in Bermondsey and served in France with the 1st Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment from 11 September 1914.

The unit were thrown into the early actions of the Great War and were fresh from the Battle of the Aisne when going into the Langemarck salient on 20 October. Acting as guard of the 3rd Brigade, they were tasked to tackle and capture Poelcapelle rail station and its main road. Spreading both sides of the railway lines, they came under heavy fire and were forward to withdraw. On 22 October they were found to the west of Steenbeek, now the location of the Harry Patch Memorial.

23 October 1914 was a fateful day for Morgan, sent with his unit north-west to take the crossroads and inn, the Kortekeer Cabaret. The attack was a success and led to the release of some 60 Cameron Highlanders being held captive, but counters began to come in. As the day drew on, Captain Stanley-Creek's Company was cut off by the enemy. He managed to withdraw the survivors under the cover of darkness and took a D.S.O. for his troubles. Morgan was not so luck and was to be killed in action. He is commemorated upon the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

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Estimate

Starting price
£130