[THE MEDALS]
1914 Star (Officially Impressed) 7743. L/Cpl A.J. ADDEN, 1/N Staff: R. (“D for L” Spelling Error, Confirmed as ADDEN on first M.I.C.)
PAIR: (Officially Impressed)
7743. L/Cpl A.J. ALDEN, 1st N. STAFF. R.
[BIOGRAPHY] 1887-1915-Arthur John Alden was born in Cossey, Norfolk in 1887 and initially joined the 3rd Battalion Norfolk Regt at Norwich on 6th May 1904 at age 17y 7m as Pte 5250. He had previously worked as a farm labourer for G.W. Harrison of Wrentham, Wangford, Suffolk.
He subsequently re-enlisted into 1st Bn North Staffordshire Regt for service in the Great War with an early arrival in France on 10th September 1914.
He & his unit took part in the famous “Christmas Truce” on 25th December 1914 at Fleurbaix.
1st Battalion
The 1st Battalion went to France in September 1914 as part of 17th Brigade in 6th Division. It took part in the First Battle of Ypres being based in the Armentières sector on the southern flank of the battle. In December 1914 it was in trenches in the Rue-du-Bois area (near Fleurbaix), and participated in the Christmas truce, where British and German soldiers fraternised in no man's land.
The body of Arthur Alden was lost without trace on the battlefield and he has no known grave. He is commemorated with eternal honour on the Ploegsteert Memorial along with 11,000 other fellow soldiers without a known resting place.
LEST WE FORGET THE PRICE OF OUR FREEDOM.
IF YOU COLLECT ONLY THE VERY BEST......THIS IS IT !
Very Seldom Do We See Such a Pristine & Complete 1914 Star & Bar Grouping. This assembly is as “fresh” as the day it arrived with the Alden family in about 1920.
A Condition Consensus Specimen Group & 0.00001% Miracle Survivor in this original state.
SOLD