Distinguished Conduct Medal GVR (G - 6884 SJT: A.J. AYRES. 1/E.KENT R.); Military Medal GVR (6884 SJT A.J. AYRES. D.C.M. 1/E.KENT R.); 1914-15 Star (G-6884 PTE. A.J. AYRES. E.KENT.R.); British War Medal (G-6884 SJT. A.J. AYRES. E.KENT.R.); Victory Medal with M.I.D. Oakleaf (G-6884 SJT. A.J. AYRES. E.KENT.R.)
1914-15 Star (11209 PTE. T. AYERS. DEVON:R.); British War Medal (11209 PTE. T. AYRES. DEVON.R.); Victory Medal (11209 PTE. T. AYERS. DEVON.R.)
The Ayres brothers both gave their lives on the Western Front in the cause of freedom.
Arthur James Ayres was born in Talaton, Devon in 1891. He originally enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery on 24 August 1914, joining the 46th Company on 21 October but was then transferred as a Private (G-6884) to the East Kent Regiment on 26 May 1915. He was sent to the Western Front to join the 1st Battalion on 26 May 1915 and would have been present at the Battle of Loos. Promoted to to Lance Corporal he saw service right through the Battle of the Somme. He was Wounded in Action - slight wound to the left arm - on 15 March 1917 whilst manning the front line in the Loos Sector. He was sent home for treatment and admitted to hospital in Brighton on 6 April 1917. He was Mentioned in Dispatches in Haig's dispatch of 9 April 1917. His wound healed, he returned to the Front on 7 June 1917 and was posted to the 8th (Service) Battalion, East Kent Regiment. Rapid promotion followed and by 28 November he was a fully paid Sergeant. He rejoined the 1st Battalion on 8 February 1918 and went home on a spot of well-deserved leave. He returned in the middle of the German March offensive and was gassed whilst in the trenches at Dickebusch on 17 May 1918, but was back in action on 1 July 1918.
The 1st battalion was once again manning the line at Dickebusch when on the morning of 2 August 1918 he was involved in a trench raid which led to the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The award thereof was announced on 31 August and published in the London Gazette of 31 August. The citation read thus:-
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He displayed great dash and courage during a raid. He was first over the parapet and dashed on ahead to the objective. He assisted his officer in getting five of the enemy out of a dug-out, killing one and capturing the rest. All this was done before the platoon had reached the post. Throughout the operation he set a splendid example to the men."
Ayes was wounded for a third time on 16 August 1918, but remained on duty. His battalion then moved into the Trefcon sector and were in the St Quentin Wood the afternoon of 17 September 1918, moving into the battle line after dark in readiness for an attack the next morning in what became known as the Battle of St Quentin. Ayres "B" Company was in position as support by 4.15 the next morning. They later reached the outskirts of Fresnoy but owing to Machine Gun fire from Fresnoy and high ground, the line eventually withdrew to Champagne Trench. The failure to reach the objective was principally due to to MG fire from Fresnoy cemetery and the high ground but also to loss of direction owing to darkness, smoke and fog. It was in the fog and smoke that Ayres lost his life - initially missing, he was confirmed as Killed in Action on 18 September 1918 - two months before the long war would be over.
Ayes is not listed in the War Diary as having received his award of the Military Medal for the Battle of St Quentin on 18 September 1918. His award was published posthumously in the London Gazette of 20 August 1919. He has no known grave but is well remembered for his bravery and the supreme sacrifice he made.
His brother, (Gilbert) Thomas, although not decorated, also made the supreme sacrifice. He was born in Talaton, Devon in 1895 and enlisted as a Private with the Devonshire Regiment, seeing action on the Western Front from 15 April 1915. He was Killed in Action during the Third Battle of Ypres on 29 October 1917 and having no known grave, is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with comprehensive research.
