Description
Military Medal, GV issue, 2nd Lieut Louis Redfern, North Staffs Regt, former Private in the 9th Leicesters, forced to surrender when surrounded by the enemy with personal account of capture March 1918.
Officially impressed: “10-18650 Pte L. Redfern. 9/Leic: R”
On long piece of original silk ribbon.
With full digital file of his officer service papers, about 25 pages, including his official account of his capture.
Military Medal awarded London Gazette, 12th March 1917.
Ex Travor Harris Collection to the Leicester Regiment, DNW Sept 2005, £310 hammer.
2nd Lieutenant Louis Redfern, was originally a Private in his home town regiment the 9th Bn Leicestershire Regiment during the war.
During his service he received the Military Medal for saving the life of an officer.
“HINKLEY MILITARY MEDALLIST OFFERED A COMMISSION
Private L. Redfern, a Hinkcley man belonging to the Leicestershire Regiment who gained a Military medal for bravery in the field for saving the life of an officer when retreating under fire, has been offered a commission.
He is now in England training as a Cadet. He was formerly employed in the good department at Hinckley Station and volunteered in the early days of the war.”
The following is his personal account of his capture during the first day of the German Spring Offensive:
Louis Redfern, 2nd Lieut, C Company, 1st Bn North Staffs, 72nd Brigade, 24th Division, taken as a Prisoner of war on 21st March 1918, repatriated on 3rd December 1918, and returned to England on 12th December 1918.
Place of Capture: Essling Redoubt, near Vermand
“Sir,
I was captured by the enemy under circumstances as stated below.
I was responsible for holding part of Essling Redoubt, My Orders were to hold on at all costs, I may say I cam under the orders of Officer Commanding A Company, that Company being in the front line.
The enemy broke through our front line after heavy bombardment but as far as I was concerned he ignored Essling Redoubt, about an hour after the attack, I sent a runner to Battalion Headquarters to get any information about orders, and he returned with the information the the Headquarters was in the hands of the enemy.
I believe the village behind our lines, Maissemy? was also taken at that time.
When the fog had cleared I saw that we were surrounded and that the Enemy was in great strength.
I knew that we had no trooped immediately available for a counter attack, so I decided to try and get back to our lines.
I attempted this with between 20-30 men but without success, the Enemy being too numerous. In my opinion the “Break Thro” was greatly due to the fog, the enemy taking full advantage of this and pushed on through parts of least resistance our whole front line being a series of small posts lightly held.”
This account was investigated by Major General Price Davies, Brigader General Griffith and Brevet Lieut Col Challenor who found “that his statement regarding the circumstances of his capture by the enemy having been investigated, the Council considers that no blame attaches to him in the matter.”
LOUIS REDFERN
Mr Louis Redfern, was born on 6th October 1891 in Titley, Herefordshire.
He was educated at Titley Grammar School in Titley, Herefordshire.
His father, John Redfern was a Schoolmaster (born Derbyshire 1856) and his mother Emma was a Teacher of Sewing (born 1850 Yorkshire).
He moved with his family to Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, which would likely be why his joined the North Staffs upon commission.
During the war, he enlisted at Hinckley, whilst working as a Railway Clerk, for the local Leicestershire Regiment on 27th May 1915.
Initially joining the 10th Battalion, he was posted over to the 9th battalion from 5th November 1915 whilst in France, having come over on the Barnard Castle landing on 2nd November 1915.
During this period he served with D Company, of the 9th Bn Leicester Regiment.
Following the award of his Military Medal, he was accepted to commission and returned home on 29th January 1917 to become an Officer Cadet.
His full recommendation to commission was signed whilst “In the field” on 23rd December 1916.
After training he was fully discharged to his commission on 26th June 1917.
Having returned to France, now in an Officer’s uniform, he joined the 1st Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment as a 2nd Lieut of ‘C’ Company.
He was in command of his men holding the Essling Redoubt during the launch of the successful “German Spring Offensive” on 21st March 1918.
The Staffordshire Advertiser, 25th May 1918:
“The Misses Redfern of 16, Rosemount road, Burton on Trench, have received a letter from their Brother, 2nd Lieut Louis Redfern, stating that he is a prisoner of war in Baden, Germany.
In September 1915 (1916?), he gained the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery on the field.
He was recommended for his commission, and returned to England for training in January 1917.”
He was discharged, relinquishing his commission on completion of his service on 21st March 1920.
Almost as soon as he left the Army, he emigrated to Canada.
His passenger declaration dated 29th March 1921 noting he was a Clerk intending to settle in Canada, noting his passage was paid for by the Government.
Hs travelled there from Liverpool Docks to Saint John, New Brunswick on the Minnedosa.
At the time there were many available schemes to entice British settlers in Saskatchewan.
He chose to settle in Saskatchewan, and lived out the rest of his life there, mostly in Qu’Appelle, where he worked as a Farmer.
He died there aged 84 during 1976, the Leader Post, Saskatchewan 16th Feb 1976 reads:
“REDFERN- on Friday, February 13th 1976, Louis Redfern, Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask, aged 84 years.
The funeral service will be held in St John’s Anglican Church, Fort Qu’Appelle on Tueday, 17th February at 2:30pm.
The Rev Charles H. Sells officiant.
Predeceased by his daughter Jean, in 1965, Mr Redfern is survived by his beloved Wife, Catherine, 2 daughters, Mrs R. Scott, Saskatoon, Miss Nancy Redfern, Regina, 5 grandchildren…”
