Medals United

Medals belonging to two brothers were kept together after a buyer successfully bid on two separate lots.

One of the brothers, Private Albert Crockford, sadly died in July 2016, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He was awarded three medals: the 1914-15 Star, the British War medal and the Victory medal.

Albert’s brother, Lieutenant Corporal J Crockford then received his call up papers, but unlike his brother he survived the war and received the Military medal, 1914-15 Star, British War medal, 1914-1920, and Victory medal.

The medals were sold at Chilcotts most recent Fine Art & Antiques Medals & Militaria sale. The buyer, a private collector from Paignton, bid on both lots as he wanted to see the medals of the two brothers stay together; he paid £930 for Albert’s medals and £597 for those belonging to his brother.

Auctioneer, Duncan Chilcott said: “It was tragic for this family to lose one son, and then for the second son to be called up soon after the death of the first.

“It is heart-warming to know that the medals are staying together as in some small way this keeps the brothers connected.”