AN INTERESTING PRISONER OF WAR 1914-15 TRIO.
To:
4247 & 435589 Pte F. SHADBOLT, HERTS & LEICESTER Regts.
( Captured 27th May 1918, Battle of the Aisne with Leicester Regt & P.O.W. probably at Gustrow, Germany.)

Medals named to: 4247. Pte. F. Shadbolt. Herts. R.





[HISTORY]
FREDERICK SHADBOLT ENTERED FRANCE on 18th April 1915.

The Division entrained at Rexpoede on 9 May and undertook a long journey to Fismes, 20 miles SE of Soissons in the Champagne. It was the last of four British Divisions making up IX Corps to arrive in the area, under a plan to relieve fresh French Divisions for the north. The front line on the Chemin des Dames and south of the Aisne had been very quiet since spring 1917 and it was expected that the tired Divisions could recuperate there.

On 26 May, intelligence confirmed a heavy German attack could be expected. 25th Division was in reserve and ordered up into a closer support position.

At 01:00 am on 27 May 1918, a heavy German bombardment with gas and high explosive shells hit the entire area between the front line beyond the Chemin and Fismes itself......the Leicestershire Regt were in close proximity to the Lincolnshire Regt who were also in the front line trenches near Sapignuel. They all stayed in the trenches until May 27th when, during the 01:00am enemy bombardment of gas and other shells, which continued until 04:00am, the enemy broke through the British line.

The German infantry began to attack three hours later at 07:00am. The Division was instructed to hold the second line of defence, except for the poor 8th Border Regt which was sent off to hold the Aisne bridges at Pontavert and Concevreux. By 10:00am, all three Brigades had come under orders of the 21st, 8th and 50th Divisions respectively, which by now were fighting for their lives north of the river.

By mid-day the Germans had broken through and crossed the Aisne: the units of 25th Division were thrown piecemeal into action. They were all but destroyed. The 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, holding high ground north of the Vesle, held out to the last man. The remnants of many units were temporarily joined into composite units, fighting a withdrawal as the enemy pressed on many miles across the River Marne.

Casualties between 26 May and 14 June amounted to 4338 officers and men, of whom 2511 were missing.
One of these was Fred Shadbolt who was posted as 'missing' on 27th May 1918 but eventually turned up as a P.O.W. in Germany.

The group comes with an original post-war picture of Fred & a copy of the rare "Royal Welcome Home" Prisoner of War Repatriation Letter. Fred was repatriated in about December 1918 and was finally discharged from the army on 25th April 1919.

Frederick Thomas Shadbolt was a native of BALDOCK, Herts & after the war resided at 8 Flint Place, Baldock.

Medals about Mint with original ribbons.

£295