An exceptionally well-documented WW1 officer’s gallantry group to Second Lieutenant Ronald William Aspden, 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, who was killed in action on 8 August 1917 during operations in the Boesinghe Sector near Ypres. He was posthumously awarded the Military Medal, an award his superiors considered worthy of the Victoria Cross.

Regiment: Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

Battalion: 2nd Battalion

Previous Service:
He initially enlisted in the 6th City of London Regiment (part of the London Regiment, Territorial Force), where he rose to Corporal in a machine gun section before being commissioned as an officer into the Royal Fusiliers.

Died of Wounds: 8 August 1917 (age 23)

Buried: Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Grave III.B.13

Awarded: Military Medal (M.M.) with original ribbon

Death Plaque: (Dead Man’s Penny) named to Ronald William Aspden

Original casualty documents: CWGC papers and service records

1917 field letters: From both his commanding officer’s

Son of: Jane Sophia Legg (formerly Aspden), of 69 Malmesbury Road, Woodford, London.

A stunning Tribute to a young officer who led by example and was held in the highest esteem by his men and his commanders.