The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals

Family group: Three: Private W. Larkins, 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), who was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle in March 1915, and was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches 1914 Star, with copy clasp (L-11005 Pte. W. Larkin [sic]. 2/Middx: R.); British War and Victory Medals (L-11005 Pte. W. Larkins. Midd’x R.); Memorial Plaque (William Larkins); Memorial Scroll, ‘Pte. William Larkins, Middlesex Regiment’ in flattened OHMS transmission tube, nearly extremely fine Three: Gunner G. Larkins, Royal Artillery, who died of disease caused by exposure while on active service on 27 November 1916 1914-15 Star (41413 Gnr: G. Larkins. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (41413 Gnr. G. Larkins. R.A.) good very fine (8) £300-£400 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 22 June 1915 William Larkins was born in Limehouse, Middlesex and attested for the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) at Stratford, Essex in 1906. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 7 November 1914, and was killed in action between 10 and 14 March 1915, during which period the 2nd Middlesex Regiment attacked and occupied the German trenches at Neuve Chapelle. The battalion was relieved from its consolidated position on 14 March having suffered casualties of 473 killed, wounded or missing. Larkins was posthumously mentioned for gallant and distinguished services in the field by Field Marshal French in his Despatch of 31 May 1915. Larkins’ date of death was recorded for official purposes as 14 March 1914 and having no known grave, he is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France. George Larkins, brother of the above, who was born in 1888 at Limehouse, Middlesex, and attested for the Royal Regiment of Artillery at ‘St. Paul’s Churchyard’ on 16 October 1914. He served during the Great War on the Western Front with the Royal Field Artillery from 22 December 1914. He was hospitalised in the field and repatriated on 29 January 1915 to England where he was diagnosed with chronic albuminuria caused by exposure while on active service. Gunner Larkins was discharged permanently unfit on 29 July 1915 and died on 27 November 1916. He is buried in Leytonstone (St. Patrick’s) Roman Catholic Cemetery. Sold together with a quantity of ephemera relating to William and George Larkins including original M.I.D. certificate named to ‘Middlesex Regiment, 11005 Pte. W. Larkins, (died)’, mounted on card, in very poor condition; photographs, letters, original army documents. Also together with ephemera relating to a third brother Alfred Larkins - who served with the Rifle Brigade on the Western Front from 21 September 1914 and was taken prisoner of war at Juvincourt on 27 May 1918 - including Buckingham Palace welcome home letter and a number of Army Forms and documents.