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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 343

(x) A Great War casualty group of three to Lieutenant C. E. C. Hill, Highland Light Infantry, who was killed in action on 17 April 1916 at the First Battle of Kut and who was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches
1914-15 Star (2. Lieut: C. E. C. Hill. High: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. C. E. C. Hill.), some polishing but otherwise very fine (3)

M.I.D. London Gazette 19 June 1916.

Charles Edward Cecil Hill was born at Halesowen Rectory on 22 July 1894, the only son of Reverand J. C. Hill, educated at Mr Graham's House, Harrow School from 1908 and Trinity College, Cambridge 1913, in the O.T.C. in both. Second Lieutenant 30 August 1914, saw service on the Western Front from December 1914 with the First Battalion, Highland Light Infantry before later serving in Mesopotamia. In April 1916, starvation within the British garrison at Kut forced Indian troops to abandon the vegetarian diet of their religion and eat horse meat. The relief attempt by Gorringe is usually termed the first battle of Kut. The British Empire's forces numbered about 30,000 soldiers, roughly equal to the Ottomans. The battle began on 5 April and the British soon captured Fallahiya but with heavy losses, Bait Isa was taken on 17 April. The final effort was against Sannaiyat on 22 April. The Allies were unable to take Sannaiyat and suffered some 1,200 casualties in the process. In April 1916 No. 30 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps carried out the first air supply operation in history. Food and ammunition were dropped to the defenders of Kut, but "as often as not their parcels go into the Tigris or into the Turkish trenches!" and the food rations provided between the 11 and 29 April were only enough for three days. All the relief efforts had failed, at a cost of around 30,000 Allied killed or wounded. Ottoman casualties are believed to have been around 10,000. He was killed in action during the First Battle of Kut on 17 April 1916 and having no known grave is remembered on the Basra Memorial. But was reported missing on 27 April 1916. Surrender of the British Army finally happened on 29 April 1916 by General Townsend despite a failed secret deal with the Ottomans negotiated by Aubery Herbert and T.E. Lawrence offering two million pounds and additionally Lawrence starting an Arab uprising against the Ottomans.

He is also remembered on the Crypt Chapel, Harrow School Memorial and the Trinity College, Cambridge, Memorial and the Greater Manchester Memorial in Bury. A relative E. Parry claimed the medals, addressed to The Rectory, Bury, Lancs.

His father was the Rector at St Mary the Virgin at Bury and erected a memorial plaque in his honour: 'The reredos in this chapel was given for the glory of God and in memory of Charles Edward Cecil Hill, Lieutenant, first battalion, Highland Light Infantry, only son of the Rector of Bury. He fell in action in Mesopotamia, April 17, 1917, during the Great War, aged II I. Blessed are the pure in head, for they shall see God.'

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

Estimate

Starting price
£320