WW1 pair and Plaque – 2nd battalion Grenadier Guards

Description WW1 pair and Plaque – 2nd battalion Grenadier Guards British War and Victory Medals, 29092 Pte J.F. Maides, Gren gds; Memorial Plaque, Joseph Frederick Maides; Enclosure slip for plaque. (All in an old frame) Joseph Frederick Maides was born in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, 31st May 1884 Killed in Action 14th October 1917 and Buried at Poelcapelle British Cemetery. Originally enlisted on the 12th February 1901, but was discharged on the 16th March 1901, due to lying about his age His MIC confirms his entitlement to a pair for WW1 service. The 2nd Battalion’s war began almost immediately with the grueling Retreat from Mons, where they fought vital rearguard actions against a rapidly advancing German army. They participated in the pivotal counter-offensives at the Marne and the Aisne, but their most severe early test came during the First Battle of Ypres in late 1914. During this brutal campaign, the regular British Army was bled white holding the line against overwhelming German assaults. The 2nd Battalion suffered catastrophic casualties defending the Ypres Salient, cementing their reputation for unyielding discipline under fire, but losing a significant portion of their pre-war professional cadre in the mud of Flanders. By 1915, the character of the battalion had begun to change as drafts of wartime volunteers replaced the fallen regulars. A major organizational shift occurred in August 1915 when the British Army consolidated its Guards regiments to form the elite Guards Division. The 2nd Battalion was transferred to the 1st Guards Brigade within this new formation. Shortly after, they were thrown into the Battle of Loos in September 1915. Despite the chaotic introduction of poison gas and the severe challenges of attacking heavily fortified German trench networks, the Guards maintained their formidable reputation, though once again at a terrible cost in lives. In 1916, the 2nd Battalion marched into the crucible of the Somme. During the Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the subsequent attacks near Morval in September, the Guards Division was utilized heavily as shock troops. Advancing through deep mud and murderous machine-gun fire, the 2nd Battalion consistently secured their objectives while sustaining staggering losses. The following year, 1917, brought little respite. They fought in the waterlogged crater fields of Passchendaele (the Third Battle of Ypres), struggling as much against the drowning mud as against the enemy. Later that year, they were rushed in to stem heavy German counter-attacks during the Battle of Cambrai, engaging in brutal, close-quarters street fighting around the village of Fontaine-Notre-Dame. Condition – GVF Because of this item being framed we would prefer not to post this item, it can be collected from various medal fairs, such as Yate, Stratford, Britannia, the O.M.R.S.  If you are willing to risk posting the frame , please contact us to obtain a postage cost, but it will be at your risk. Alternatively we can remove the items from their frame, in this case the quoted postage is correct. NOTE: Sorry we cannot accept payment by PayPal for this item, We can accept payment by Credit / Debit Card, Bank Transfer or Cheque.