1914/15 STAR TRIO TO JESSE HOSKINS- 8TH BTN EAST SURREY (FOOTBALL BTN) KILLED IN ACTION ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SOMME (01/07/1916)

1914/A5 Star trio, named to:
4765 PTE.4765 PTE.J.HOSKINS.E.SURR.R.
Medals extremely fine, with original full-length silk ribbons.
5765 Private Jesse Hoskins 8th Bn., East Surrey Regiment was killed in action on 01/07/1916 (The first day of the Somme) aged 21
The Son of Harry Hoskins, of Oak Cottage, Firsfield, Diss, Norfolk.
He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
The 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment are famous for their exploits on the first day of the Somme when Captain Neville and his Company kicked 4 footballs before them as they went over the top. Two of these footballs were later recovered. This event was well covered by the press at the time, and the 8th East Surreys were immortalised and became known as "The Football Battalion"
See the illustration by Caton Woodville "The Surrey's play the game" published in "The Illustrated London News" 27th July 1916.

Code: 53789