An extensive archive of personal material, relating to Capta...

Estimate

£800 - £1,200

An extensive archive of personal material, relating to Captain Wilfred Edwin Even Garrod M.C. (Yorkshire Regiment), comprising his WWI Campaign Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-15 Star, his cased Military Cross, two original copies of the London Gazette Supplements where he was cited, issued 13th September 1918, 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer was in command of a company in the front line, when the enemy attacked, and though the troops on his right withdrew, he formed a defensive flank and held on all morning. Although twice wounded, he remained on directing operations, showing great courage and judgement', and in another issued on 5th November 1918, 'For conspicuous gallantry and good leadership while commanding his company in action. He reached the objective allotted to him with his leading platoon, although both flanks were in the air. He then pushed forward beyond his original objective, and succeeded in clearing the road of the enemy. It was owing to his fine example that so much progress was made. His clear and accurate reports, written under fire, were of great assistance.' Also present here are a number of his own annotated maps, to include examples such as hand-drawn 'Berny-en-Santerre' (1917), a linen-backed 'General Map Sheet 1', 'Pys-le-Sars-Ligne-Thilloy' (5 Green Howards, January 1917), a German map (dated 9th May 1918), and others, together with a collection of black and white 'France Battefields' photographs taken by him (with other related postcards), mostly annotated to the reverse in his hand, taken in 1919 whilst he was guarding German POWs, a retained piece of shrapnel that had injured him, some of his 'Field Message' books, one titled '1917-18 Passchendaele', with contents. Captain Garrod was wounded and sent home for recovery, and there is a letter here from a senior officer (Col. Raymond Thomson), dated May 12th 1918, wishing him well, updating him on the latest events and also thanking him for his efforts. Garrod has noted himself at the foot of the letter, that Col. Thomson was killed a few weeks later, at the [Third] Battle of the Aisne. The remainder of the collection consists of his detailed and well-presented diaries and notes, further drawings and photographs, details of his demobilisation paperwork, typed transcripts from his diaries, and a photocopy of his 'War Memories 1915-1918', written in 1971. There is also a pair of WWII issue medals. Retained by his family.