One British participant was Captain John Alford Cheston, who was commissioned in the 24th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (2nd Sportsman’s Battalion), having entered France in January 1917. He won the Military Cross for his bravery during an attack in the Canal Du Nord area.
According to the MC citation, ‘he led his company deep into the hostile trenches, overcoming a fierce resistance and accounting for numbers of the enemy, besides taking many prisoners. In the heavy bombardment of a counter-attack, he moved his men from the main trench to forward shell holes, thereby saving many lives as the trench was obliterated.’
Cheston’s MC, George V British War Medal and Victory Medal are on offer at Salisbury saleroom Woolley & Wallis on November 21, estimated at £800-1200.
