7959 DMR J.RYE CHES.R.
John Rye
To France 16/8/14 as Drummer, 1st Cheshire Regiment
Note:On 24/8/14, the day after the Battle of Mons, the 1st Cheshires took up defensive positions outsideAudregniesin Belgium to cover the withdrawal of 5th Division.
Their desperate rearguard action held up the German advance by 4 hours, but at a great cost - of the 27 Officers & 934 Other Ranks present at 7.30am, after the battle only 6 Officers & 200 O/Rs answered the roll call - and a senior German officer declared "I have captured a Division, but have nothing but Cheshires"
Drummer Rye survived Audregnies & the 1st Cheshires then fought in the Battles of the Marne, the Aisne, La Bassée, Messines & First Ypres, 1914, as well as the Second Battle of Ypres & the Battle of Hill 60 in 1915
Suffered a Bullet Wound in thumb during 2nd Battle of Ypres 21/5/15 & was admitted to 14th Field Ambulance 21/5/15
Later taken German Prisoner of War
Discharged from 13th Cheshire Regt 14/3/19 & was awarded the Silver War Badge
With copies of his Medal Index Card, 2 Medal Rolls & Silver War Badge Roll
Condition: VF+
