War, Vict. Pr. 21338 Pte. A. Shreeve West Yorks Regt. D.O.W. 02/05/1918

Description

War and Victory Pair to 21338 Pte. A. Shreeve of the West Yorkshire Regiment D.O.W. 02/05/1918

Condition – E.F.

Alfred Shreeve was born in North Heigham, Norwich. He enlisted in Norwich in 1917 and was placed in the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. The 2nd West Yorkshire Regiment was placed in the 23rd Brigade of the 8th Division.

Pte. Shreeve first saw action at the Battle of Langemarck on 16th – 18th August 1917 when the attack was made on Green Line Ridge. The 2nd Battalion sustained very high casualties including 23 killed, 121 wounded, and 131 missing.

Pte. Alfred Shreeve was next engaged during the Great German Offensive in March and April 1918. He was involved in the Battle of Rosieres between 26th and 27th March before taking part in the First Battle of Arras from 28th March to 1st April when casualties amounted to 36 killed, 187 wounded, and 372 missing.

Pte. Alfred Shreeve’s final action was on the 24th/25th of April 1918 when six German tanks attacked and overwhelmed the 2nd Battalion’s position at Villers-Bretonneux. Pte. Shreeve was severely wounded and died of his wounds on the 2nd of May 1918. The total casualties for the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment amounted to 16 officers and 404 other ranks.

This is a very desirable War and Victory Pair to a soldier who died of his wounds in one of the few German tank actions.

The medal pair is sold with copies of M.I.C., Soldiers Died in the Great War sheet and C.W.G.C. memorial sheet. Pte. Alfred Shreeve is buried in the Fouquescourt British Cemetery.