for the immediate demobilisation of democratic hosts, all units of
which were convinced that they had the right to go home before all
others. “The prisoner at the Bar,” as men then styled Germany, being
entirely at home, was saving himself to continue the War underground
when time, occasion, and dissension among his conquerors should show
him his chance. But of this there was no foreknowledge. The hearts of
the men who had borne the burden were still pulsing to the thud of
the guns; their minds still obsessed in their leisure by the return
of horrors seen and heard; their souls crying out for something that
should veil them from themselves; and at the hour when the spent
world, like a spent battalion, most needed a few low-voiced, wholly
unsentimental orders and an orderly return to light but continuous
mechanical work, when, above all, it was in no shape to be talked
at or to or over, it was delivered to whirlwinds and avalanches of
allocutions, exhortations, and strenuously conflicting “ideals”
that would have shaken the sanity of the gods themselves. Thus the
barren months passed. The most fortunate people were those who had
their hands full of necessary and obvious work—mere detail to be put
through for immediate needs. “We cursed it enough at the time, but
we would have given a good deal for it afterwards. You see, it kept
one from thinking.”
And in the spring of ’19 came the release, and the return of the
Guards to England, and, on a grey March day, the Division, for
the last time, was massed and moved through London, their wounded
accompanying them on foot, or in the crowded lorries, while their
mascots walked statelily in the intervals.
To see the actual weapons with which great works have been done is
always astonishing. The stream of troops seemed scanty between the
multitudes that banked it. Their faces, too, told nothing, and least
of all the faces of the veterans—the sergeants of twenty-three, and
the commanding officers of twenty-eight, who, by miracle or the mercy
of severe wounds, had come through it all since that first hot August
evening, at the milestone near Harmignies, when the first bullet
fell on the turf, and men said, “This is The War!” The wounded, in
civil kit, having no more fear of their superior officers before
their eyes, occasionally, when they shouted to a friend, gave away by
unguarded tone, or change of countenance, a hint of the hells which
they had shared together. And London, solid on its pavements, looked,
counted over, compared, hailed, but never too loudly, some known
face in the ranks or figure on horseback, and rejoiced or grieved as
the fortune of war had dealt with its men. For the Guards belong to
London, and, by that time, even the Irish Guards were half London
recruits.
The Second Battalion of the Irish Guards was marked to be disbanded
later, with thousands of others. Their loyalty, their long endurance,
their bravery—the ceaseless labour, love, and example that had gone
to their making and upholding, in which work men had died as directly
as any killed by gas or shell—had done all that was called for. They
made no claim to have accomplished or suffered more than others. They
knew what load had been laid upon all.
They were the younger battalion, born in Warley, officered from the
first by special reserve officers, always most intimately bound up
with their sister battalion, yet always most strictly themselves.
They had been a “happy” battalion throughout, and, on the admission
of those whose good opinion they most valued, one that had “done
as well as any” in a war that had made mere glory ridiculous. Of
all these things nothing but the memory would remain. And, as they
moved—little more than a company strong—in the wake of their seniors,
one saw, here and there among the wounded in civil kit, young men
with eyes which did not match their age, shaken beyond speech or
tears by the splendour and the grief of that memory.
COMMANDING OFFICERS
2ND BATTALION
FROM AUGUST 16, 1915
---------+--------------------------------------+---------+-------------
Rank | Name | From | To
---------+--------------------------------------+---------+-------------
Lt.-Col. | Hon. L. J. P. Butler, C.M.G., D.S.O. | 16.8.15 | 5.5.16
” | P. L. Reid, O.B.E. | 12.5.16 | 12.1.17
” | E. B. Greer, M.C. | 13.1.17 | 31.7.17
Major | R. H. Ferguson | 1.8.17 | 1.10.17
Lt.-Col. | H. R. Alexander, D.S.O., M.C. | 2.10.17 | 3.11.18
” | A. F. L. Gordon, D.S.O., M.C. | 6.11.18 | To return to
| | | England.
---------+--------------------------------------+---------+-------------
APPENDIX A
OFFICERS KILLED IN ACTION OR DIED OF WOUNDS
1ST BATTALION IRISH GUARDS
Lieut.-Colonel C. FitzClarence, V.C.
(Temp. Brigadier-General),
In Command of 1st Guards Brigade, 12.11.14
Lieut.-Colonel G. C. Nugent, M.V.O.
(Temp. Brigadier-General),
In Command of 5th London Infantry Brigade, 31.5.15
Lieut.-Col. The Hon. J. F. Hepburn-Stuart-Forbes-Trefusis, D.S.O.
(Temp. Brigadier-General),
In Command of the 20th Brigade after Commanding 1st Battalion,
24.10.15
Lieut.-Colonel The Hon. G. H. Morris, 1.9.14
MAJORS
T. M. D. Bailie, 15.9.16
The Lord Desmond FitzGerald, M.C., 3.3.16
The Earl of Rosse, 15.6.18
H. F. Crichton, 1.9.14
H. A. Herbert-Stepney, 6.11.14
G. H. C. Madden (Temp. Lieut.-Col.), 12.11.15
G. E. S. Young, 31.3.17
CAPTAINS
H. H. Berners, 14.9.14
The Lord Arthur Hay, 14.9.14
The Hon. A. E. Mulholland, 1.11.14
E. G. Mylne, 12.6.15
The Hon. P. J. H. Ogilvy, M.C., 9.10.17
E. C. Stafford-King-Harman, 6.11.14
C. A. Tisdall, 1.9.14
V. C. J. Blake, 28.1.16
M. V. Gore-Langton, M.C., 10.10.15
E. J. F. Gough, 30.12.14
J. N. Guthrie, 13.5.15
The Lord John Hamilton, 7.11.14
L. R. Hargreaves, M.C., 25.9.16
LIEUTENANTS
A. L. Bain, 4.11.18
R. St. J. Blacker-Douglass, M.C., 1.2.15
E. Budd, M.C. (Acting Captain), 8.8.18
B. S. Close, 27.9.18
S. E. F. Christy, 12.7.16
H. J. B. Eyre, 15.7.17
J. K. M. Greer, M.C., 3.10.16
W. E. Hope, 6.11.14
K. R. Mathieson, 1.11.14
J. H. Nash, 27.8.18
F. L. Pusch, D.S.O., 27.6.16
E. H. Shears, 4.7.17
T. K. Walker, 24.4.16
L. C. Whitefoord, 15.9.16
H. R. Baldwin, 29.8.18
G. Brooke, 7.10.14
T. Butler-Stoney, 1.10.17
L. S. Coke, 31.10.14
N. F. Durant, 30.11.17
V. W. D. Fox, 18.5.15
The Lord Guernsey, 14.9.14
G. M. Maitland, 1.11.14
T. Musgrave, 6.2.15
C. Pease, 18.9.16
R. J. P. Rodakowski, 9.10.17
C. R. Tisdall, M.C., 15.9.16
J. N. Ward, 29.8.18
2ND LIEUTENANTS
T. Allen, 25.2.15
N. Butler, 15.9.16
H. A. Connolly, 27.8.18
V. J. S. French, 10.10.18
F. H. N. Lee, 4.7.16
E. C. G. Lord, 8.5.18
C. S. O’Brien, M.C., 27.9.18
T. S. V. Stoney, 9.10.17
N. L. Woodroffe, 6.11.14
G. P. Boyd, 3.9.17
L. H. L. Carver, 26.5.18
H. V. Fanshawe, 11.10.17
H. S. Keating, 20.1.15
L. C. L. Lee, 1.2.15
H. Marion-Crawford, 16.4.15
J. M. Stewart, 1.4.15
A. L. Wells, 9.10.17
OFFICERS ATTACHED TO 1ST BATTALION
Capt. Rev. J. Gwynne, 11.10.15
Lieut. C. de B. G. Persse (7th Dragoon Guards), 18.5.15
Capt. H. J. S. Shields, R.A., M.C., 26.10.14
2nd Lieutenant Davis (U.S.A. Medical Service), 27.9.18
2ND BATTALION IRISH GUARDS
Major E. B. Greer, M.C. (Acting Lieut.-Colonel), 31.7.17
Major R. A. French Brewster (died), 17.2.17
CAPTAINS
E. D. Dent, 12.4.18
C. E. R. Hanbury, 9.10.17
The Hon. H. A. V. St. G. Harmsworth, M.C., 12.2.18
LIEUTENANTS
C. H. Brew, 12.10.16
J. W. M. Dame, 27.11.17
F. St. L. Greer, M.C., 1.2.17
C. G. H. C. Hyne, 21.11.16
J. Kipling, 27.9.15
J. C. Maher, 14.4.18
E. L. Mylne, M.C., 15.9.16
C. F. Purcell, 15.9.16
F. L. M. Pym, 2.7.16
A. F. Synge, 27.11.17
G. Y. L. Walters, 15.9.16
W. G. Cary-Elwes, 27.11.17
M. R. Fitzgerald, 19.4.18
D. D. Hudson-Kinahan, 9.4.16
G. L. B. James, 18.7.17
M. B. Levy, M.C. (Acting Captain), 12.4.18
H. Montgomery, 13.9.16
D. C. Parsons (Temp. Captain), 15.9.16
C. J. Pym, 27.3.17
A. J. Rowan-Hamilton, 21.10.15
F. P. H. Synge, M.C. (Acting Captain), 29.7.17
C. D. Wynter, 5.10.15
R. H. W. Heard, M.C. (died), 3.3.19
2ND LIEUTENANTS
A. S. Armfield, 31.7.17
R. C. Bellew, 21.8.17
M. B. Cassidy, 13.4.18
G. V. B. Hine, 6.10.15
T. Pakenham-Law, 27.9.15
K. C. Vaughan, 13.9.16
N. D. Bayly, 27.11.17
T. A. Carey, 5.12.17
W. F. J. Clifford, 27.9.15
A. H. O’Farrell, 27.9.18
A. G. Tomkins, 13.9.16
T. B. Wilson, 18.7.17
OFFICERS ATTACHED TO 2ND BATTALION
Captain Rev. S. S. Knapp, D.S.O., M.C., 31.7.17
IRISH GUARDS OFFICERS WITH OTHER REGIMENTS
Lieut. J. N. Marshall, V.C., M.C. (Acting Lieut.-Colonel,
attached Lancs. Fusiliers), 4.11.18
2nd Lieut. C. H. Eiloart (Guards Machine Gun Regiment), 27.9.18
2nd Lieut. E. H. Fallows (att. Guards Machine Gun Regiment), 27.3.18
2nd Lieut. A. G. Hunt (Guards Machine Gun Regiment), 4.11.18
2nd Lieut. N. King (att. Guards Machine Gun Regiment), 26.5.18
Lieut. C. H. Lord Settrington (died of wounds received in
action with the Russian Relief Force), 24.8.19
Lieut. J. C. Zigomala, M.B.E. (killed whilst serving with
the Russian Relief Force), 25.8.19
OFFICERS WOUNDED
Major Lord D. FitzGerald, M.C. (twice w.) 1.9.14; Oct. 1915
R. St. Blacker-Douglass, M.C. 1.9.14
Capt. Hon. H. W. Gough, M.C. 14.9.14
Capt. J. N. Guthrie (twice w.) 14.9.14; (v. slightly) 16.4.15
Lieut.-Col. E. B. Greer, M.C. 28.10.14
Capt. W. C. N. Reynolds 31.10.14
Major R. H. Ferguson (twice w.) 31.10.14; 23.6.17
Lieut.-Col. Hon. H. Alexander, D.S.O., M.C.,
L. of H. (twice w.) 1.11.14; Oct. 1917
Capt. M. V. Gore-Langton, M.C. 1.11.14
Capt. Lord Kingston 1.11.14
Lieut.-Col. Hon. T. Vesey (twice w.) 31.10.14; 27.9.15
Col. Lord Ardee, C.B. 7.11.14; gassed 4.4.18
Major R. S. Webber 12.11.14
Capt. C. R. Harding 12.11.14
Capt. P. H. Antrobus, M.C. 13.11.14; gassed July 1917
Capt. G. P. Gough 25.12.14
Capt. F. H. Witts, M.C. (three times w.) 25.12.14; Oct.1917; 25.5.18
J. T. Robyns (accidentally) 17.1.15
Major P. S. Long-Innes, M.C. (twice w.) 1.2.15; 15.9.16
Capt. A. H. Blom 1.2.15; S.S. 25.9.16
Capt. F. F. Graham 2.2.15
Capt. Hon. H. A. V. St. G. Harmsworth (twice w.) 11.2.15; 2.8.15
Capt. T. E. G. Nugent (accidentally) (twice w.) 24.3.15; 3.3.16
Capt. C. Pease (twice w.) 16.5.15; 15.9.16
Capt. R. B. H. Kemp 17.5.15
Capt. E. G. Mylne 17.5.15
Capt. S. G. Tallents 17.5.15
Lieut.-Col. P. L. Reid 18.5.15
Capt. H. T. A. H. Boyse 18.5.15
Major W. E. Earl of Rosse 18.5.15
Capt. R. S. G. Paget (twice w.) 18.5.15; 18.7.17
Major G. E. S. Young (twice w.) 18.5.15; 16.3.17
E. W. Campbell 18.5.15
Capt. J. R. Ralli 18.5.15
Capt. Hon. W. S. P. Alexander, D.S.O. 18.5.15
J. K. M. Greer, M.C. (twice w.) 18.5.15; 15.9.16
Capt. A. W. L. Paget (twice w.) 19.5.15; 27.7.17
Capt. Sir G. H. Burke, Bt. 19.5.15
L. S. Straker 17.6.15
K. W. Hogg 31.7.15
Brig.-Gen. R. J. Cooper, C.B., C.V.O. (M.E.F.) 16.8.15
W. B. Stevens 27.9.15
Capt. R. E. Sassoon, M.C. (twice w.) 27.9.15; (slight) 8.9.17
R. H. S. Grayson (twice w.) 27.9.15; Oct. 1917
R. H. W. Heard 7.10.15; gassed 26.4.18
J. Grayling-Major 8.10.15
Lieut.-Col. G. H. C. Madden 11.10.15
Capt. F. P. H. Synge, M.C. (twice w.) 21.10.15; July 1916
T. F. Tallents, M.C. (twice w.) 21.10.15; Oct. 1917
Capt. G. N. Hubbard 16.11.15
S. E. F. Christy 20.12.15
Capt. R. J. P. Rodakowski (twice w.) 25.3.16; 25.9.16
F. H. N. Lee 18.6.16
Temp. Major J. N. Marshall, V.C., M.C., attached
Lancs. Fus. (twice w.) 19.6.16; June 1917
Lieut.-Col. R. V. Pollok, D.S.O. (twice w.)
25.7.16; 28.3.18; gassed 11.4.18
H. R. Hordern (severely) 3.8.16
Capt. D. C. Parsons 13.9.16
J. C. Zigomala (twice w.) 13.9.16; 30.3.18
Capt. A. C. W. Innes, M.C. 15.9.16
Count J. E. de Salis (twice w.) 15.9.16; July 1917
H. C. Holmes 15.9.16
T. Butler-Stoney 15.9.16
D. J. Hegarty 16.9.16
J. N. Ward (twice w.) 15.9.16; 9.4.18
Capt. R. Rankin 15.9.16
Major C. E. A. Rocke, D.S.O. 15.9.16
C. H. Brew 15.9.16
M. R. FitzGerald 15.9.16
C. G. H. C. Hyne 15.9.16
G. V. Williams, M.C. (twice w.) 25.9.16; 13.10.18
T. C. Gibson (twice w.) 25.9.16; 13.9.17
Capt. P. R. Woodhouse, M.C. R.A.M.C. (attached)
(twice w.) 25.9.16; Oct. 1917
Rev. F. M. Browne, M.C. (attached) (twice w.) 25.9.16; Oct. 1917
Capt. L. R. Hargreaves, M.C. 25.9.16
P. G. Denson 1.1.17
C. E. R. Hanbury Jan. 1917
J. Orr 2.2.17
D. S. Browne (twice w.) 25.2.17; 9.10.17
W. C. Mumford, M.C. 15.3.17
Capt. J. W. Dalton (twice w.) 25.3.17; 7.4.18
N. B. Bagenal (three times w.) 13.7.17; Oct. 1917; 30.3.18
H. J. Lofting 18.7.17
Capt. J. B. Keenan (twice w.) 21.7.17; 21.10.18
H. H. Maxwell (twice w.) 26.7.17; 10.10.17
R. L. Dagger 29.7.17
R. Hannay 29.7.17
Lieut. G. E. C. Vaughan-Morgan July 1917
N. M. Buller (twice w.) 31.7.17; 24.5.18
G. L. Crawford 31.7.17
E. H. Dowler (twice w.) 31.7.17; Oct. 1917
Capt. H. F. d’A. S. Law, M.C. 1.8.17
H. E. Van der Noot 3.8.17
Major R. R. C. Baggallay, M.C. 14.8.17
A. R. S. Nutting, M.C. 17.8.17
A. F. D. de Moleyns 20.8.17
J. J. Kane (slight) 8.9.17
Capt. T. F. MacMahon, M.C. 11.9.17
C. E. Bagot Oct. 1917
B. S. Close Oct. 1917
T. Corry, D.C.M. Oct. 1917
E. M. Harvey, M.C. Oct. 1917
Capt. R. B. S. Reford, M.C. Oct. 1917
Capt. Hon. H. V. Harmsworth, M.C. 27.11.17
F. C. Lynch-Blosse 27.11.17
S. S. Wordley 30.11.17
J. M. R. Wreford 30.11.17
P. M. Riley (twice w.) 30.11.17; 24.5.18
G. K. Thompson, M.C. 30.11.17
G. E. Van der Noot 30.11.17
Capt. W. Joyce (twice w.) 30.11.17; 29.8.18
A. F. L. Gordon, M.C. 19.1.18
S. S. Harrison 24.3.18
Capt. the Hon. H. B. O’Brien 26.3.18
D. J. B. FitzGerald 27.3.18
F. G. de Stacpoole 2.4.18
A. S. Stokes 2.4.18
C. W. Brisley 3.4.18
J. A. S. Gatti, M.C. 3.4.18
Lieut. F. S. L. Smith, M.C. (twice w.) 12.4.18; 4.11.18
C. L. Browne 13.4.18
Capt. G. L. Bambridge 14.4.18
G. J. S. Repton 15.4.18
A. A. Tindall 15.4.18
Capt. C. Moore 17.4.18
E. O. Mackwood (gassed) 24.4.18
C. A. J. Nicholson 25.4.18
P. F. O’Driscoll 25.4.18
G. C. MacLachlan 29.4.18
T. B. Maughan 2.5.18
Capt. C. W. W. Bence-Jones (twice w.) 24.5.18; 27.9.18
P. R. J. Barry 24.5.18
D. R. Williams 25.5.18
Lieut. K. E. Schweder (gassed) 14.8.18
Lieut. J. A. M. Faraday 22.8.18
Lieut. P. S. MacMahon 29.8.18
G. T. Heaton 29.8.18
H. Connolly 29.8.18
A. E. Hutchinson 29.8.18
Lieut. C. A. J. Vernon 18.9.18; gassed 29.8.18
Lieut. G. F. Mathieson 27.9.18
A. R. Boyle 27.9.18
Capt. the Hon. B. A. A. Ogilvy 27.9.18
H. M. Henderson 10.10.18
OFFICERS MISSING
Capt. Viscount Castlerosse (wounded and since found) 1.9.14
Hon. A. Herbert (wounded and since found) 1.9.14
Lord R. Innes-Ker (wounded and since found) 1.9.14
Brig.-Gen. Hon. L. J. P. Butler, C.M.G., D.S.O. (since found) 8.9.14
G. M. Maitland 1.11.14
Capt. Lord A. J. Hamilton 6.11.14
J. Kipling (killed in action) 27.9.15
F. L. M. Pym (killed in action) 3.7.16
B. O. D. Manning 13.9.17
W. G. Rea 27.11.17
N. D. Bayly (killed in action) 27.11.17
M. R. FitzGerald 13.4.18
Lord Settrington 13.4.18
M. B. Cassidy 13.4.18
REWARDS
VICTORIA CROSS
Acting Lieut.-Colonel J. N. Marshall 13.2.19
C.B.E.
Brig.-General R. Le N. Lord Ardee (Base Comdt.) 3.6.19
Colonel Sir J. Hall, Bart 3.6.19
Major R. V. Pollok (Comdt. Sch. of Instr.) 3.6.19
D.S.O.
Major H. R. L. G. Alexander 1.1.16
Captain W. S. P. Alexander 20.8.17
Major R. R. C. Baggallay 1.1.19
Colonel the Hon. L. J. P. Butler Jan. 1916
Major Hon. A. C. S. Chichester (Staff) 3.6.18
Captain A. F. L. Gordon 12.12.19
Major T. W. B. Greenfield, (Staff) 18.1.17
Colonel R. C. A. McCalmont 1.1.17
Major R. V. Pollok 28.12.17
Lieut. F. L. Pusch (19th Bn. London Regiment) Sept. 1915
Captain W. A. Redmond 28.9.17
Lieut.-Colonel C. E. A. S. Rocke 28.12.17
Major (Temp. Brig.-Gen.)
Hon. J. F. Hepburn-Stuart-Forbes-Trefusis 16.2.15
Captain F. H. Witts (Staff) 2.6.19
O.B.E.
Major Hon. A. C. S. Chichester (Staff) 3.6.19
Captain T. C. Gibson ”
Major C. R. Harding ” 3.6.19
Major St. J. R. Pigott ”
Lieut.-Colonel P. L. Reid ” 4.6.18
Captain W. C. N. Reynolds ” 3.6.19
Captain S. G. Tallents ” 3.2.20
Captain B. B. Watson ” 10.6.19
Captain R. G. C. Yerburgh ” 3.6.19
M.B.E.
Captain J. S. N. FitzGerald (Staff)
Captain and Qr. H. Hickie 12.12.10
MILITARY CROSS
Major H. R. L. G. Alexander 1.1.16
Lieut. E. E. Anderson 30.10.17
Captain P. H. Antrobus 28.12.17
Major R. R. C. Baggallay (Staff) 1.1.17
Captain G. L. St. Bambridge 13.9.18
Lieut. P. R. J. Barry 10.11.18
Lieut. J. Black 30.10.17
Lieut. R. St. Blacker-Douglass 10.3.15
Captain H. Bracken (att. 20th K.L. Regt.)
Lieut. P. B. Brown 1917
Lieut. D. S. Browne 10.12.19
Rev. F. S. du Moulin Browne (att. 1st Bn. I.G.) 11.1.19
Lieut. E. Budd 7.4.17
Lieut. H. A. A. Collett 10.11.18
Lieut. J. A. M. Faraday 15.10.18
Lieut. W. D. Faulkner 1.1.19
Major Lord D. FitzGerald 22.6.15
Captain J. S. N. FitzGerald
2nd Lieut. R. Gamble 1.1.17
Lieut. J. A. S. Gatti 26.7.18
Captain A. F. L. Gordon 1.1.17
Captain M. V. Gore-Langton 6.9.15
Major H. W. Gough 1.1.15
Lieut.-Colonel E. B. Greer 22.6.15
Lieut. J. K. M. Greer Sept. 1916
Lieut. F. St. L. Greer 14.11.16
Captain D. W. Gunston 28.10.17
Lieut. C. E. Hammond 3.1.18
Captain L. R. Hargreaves 14.11.16
Captain H. A. V. St. G. Harmsworth 1.1.18
Lieut. S. S. Harrison 3.1.18
Lieut. E. M. Harvey 5.11.17
Lieut. D. J. Hegarty 10.1.19
Lieut. M. R. Hely-Hutchinson 5.6.17
Captain and Qr. H. Hickie 3.6.18
Lieut. A. E. Hutchinson 15.10.18
Captain A. C. W. Innes 10.3.15
Captain H. F. d’A. S. Law 5.6.17
Lieut. M. B. Levy 30.10.17
Major P. S. Long-Innes 14.11.16
Lieut. (Acting Lieut.-Col.) J. N. Marshall 7.11.18
Captain T. F. MacMahon 14.11.16
Lieut. T. Mathew 28.9.18
Lieut. D. A. B. Moodie 3.1.18
Captain C. J. O’Hara Moore 26.9.18
Captain W. C. Mumford 14.11.15
Lieut. L. D. Murphy 10.11.18
Lieut. E. L. Mylne 14.11.16
Captain T. E. G. Nugent 30.9.18
Captain A. R. S. Nutting 31.10.17
2nd Lieut. C. S. O’Brien 30.9.18
Captain Hon. H. B. O’Brien (Staff) 26.7.18
Captain Hon. P. J. H. Ogilvy 14.11.16
Lieut. Hon. B. A. A. Ogilvy 10.11.18
Captain A. W. L. Paget 15.10.18
Lieut. R. H. M. Park 5.11.17
Lieut. R. B. S. Reford 23.4.18
Captain R. E. Sassoon 20.8.17
Lieut. F. S. L. Smith 26.7.18
Lieut. F. P. H. Synge 3.6.16
Captain T. F. Tallents 3.6.16
Captain G. K. Thompson 15.3.16
Lieut. C. R. Tisdall 1916
Captain C. A. J. Vernon 10.11.18
Lieut. G. V. Williams 2.10.16
Capt. F. H. Witts 1.1.17
Captain Randal Woodhouse, R.A.M.C. (att. 1st Bn. I.G.) 31.5.16
CROIX DE GUERRE
Major Hon. C. A. S. Chichester (Staff) 16.5.19
Lieut. J. L. Lysaght 6.11.17
Major R. V. Pollok 28.12.17
Lieut.-Colonel T. E. Vesey 17.8.18
Captain R. G. C. Yerburgh (Staff) 21.8.19
EXTRACTS FROM LONDON _GAZETTE_
The compiler gives below as many of the accounts of acts of bravery
that won decoration, as he understands were published in the London
_Gazette_ on various dates. These are what were known as “immediate
rewards.” The details of services acknowledged by decorations which
did not come under this category were not given in the _Gazette_.
_10th March 1915._ M.C. to Second Lieutenant A. C. W. Innes, 1st
Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and ability at
Cuinchy on 1st February 1915. When all the officers of the attacking
company had been put out of action, this officer was sent forward to
take command. Leading his men he captured the enemy’s post, and then
advancing a further 60 yards captured another.”
_10th March 1915._ M.C. to Lieutenant R. St. J. Blacker-Douglass,
late 1st Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and
devotion to duty in continuing to lead an attack after he had been
wounded. He was killed in this attack.”
_6th September 1915._ M.C. to Lieutenant (Temp. Captain) Montague
Vernon Gore-Langton, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous
gallantry on the night of 10th August 1915, at Cuinchy, when with
an orderly and one bomber, he carried out a successful and daring
reconnaissance. He crawled out across a crater and discovered another
crater reaching to within a few yards of the enemy’s trenches. Here
he was seen by a German on patrol, who came within 8 yards, when he
was killed by the orderly. He still lay out, aided by Very’s pistol
lights fired from his own trenches for the purpose; he examined
carefully the whole of the enemy’s wire-entanglements and trenches
hidden behind the craters.”
_31st May 1916._ M.C. to Temporary Captain Philip Randal Woodhouse,
M.B., R.A.M.C. (attached 1st Battalion, Irish Guards): “For
conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He tended the wounded
under heavy shell-fire, and, though himself wounded, continued his
work. On another occasion he went across the open under shell-fire to
attend to the wounded.”
_24th June 1916._ M.C. to Lieutenant Charles Richard Tisdall, Special
Reserve (attached 1st Battalion, Irish Guards): “For conspicuous
gallantry. When on patrol with two men he discovered a strong enemy
patrol, who evidently intended to rush an isolated post. With great
determination he dispersed the enemy patrol with one of his men,
after sending the other for reinforcements. His promptness in all
probability saved the post.”
_20th October 1916._ D.S.O. to Captain the Hon. Harold Rupert Leofric
George Alexander, M.C., 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous
gallantry in action. He was the life and soul of the attack, and
throughout the day led forward not only his own men but men of all
regiments. He held the trenches gained in spite of heavy machine-gun
fire.”
_11th May 1917._ M.C. to Lieutenant Edward Budd, Irish Guards,
Special Reserve (attached 1st Battalion): “For conspicuous gallantry
and devotion to duty. He carried out a dangerous reconnaissance under
very heavy fire, and brought back most valuable information. He has
on many occasions done fine work.”
_8th January 1918._ D.S.O. to Lieutenant (Acting Captain) the Hon.
William Sigismund Patrick Alexander, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous
gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst leading his company in
an attack he came under heavy machine-gun fire from a concrete
emplacement. He immediately led a successful attack through a gap
in our barrage, and outflanked three gun positions, capturing three
machine-guns and fourteen men. He then continued the attack, and
seized his objective within the scheduled time, in spite of having to
pass through our own barrage as well as that of the enemy. He set a
splendid example of fearlessness and resource.”
_8th January 1918._ Bar to M.C. to Lieutenant Edward Budd, M.C.,
Irish Guards, Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and
devotion to duty. After a personal reconnaissance of an enemy
blockhouse which was harassing his front line, he made sound and
skilful disposition for its capture which was effectively carried
out. The capture of the blockhouse not only relieved the front line
from annoyance and loss, but enabled the whole line in this vicinity
to be advanced about 200 yards. He showed very great initiative and
military skill.” (M.C. gazetted 11th May 1917).
_8th January 1918._ M.C. to Lieutenant Reginald Ellice Sassoon, Irish
Guards, Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion
to duty. During an attack, when his company was held up by hostile
machine-gun fire, he organised and led a party to the capture of a
concrete strong point and of a machine-gun and trench mortar. He was
then subjected to machine-gun fire from another strong point, which
he promptly and successfully attacked from the flank, capturing
another machine-gun and killing and capturing several of the enemy.
His dash and initiative at a critical moment were worthy of the
highest praise.”
_7th March 1918._ D.S.O. to Captain William Archer Redmond, Irish
Guards, Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion
to duty when in command of a company holding a line of posts. When,
following a heavy barrage, the enemy attacked in strength and a bomb
fell in his post, knocking out half the occupants, he immediately
led the survivors out and drove the enemy back, which enabled him
to establish a new defensive line and to hold it against repeated
attacks until day broke.”
_6th April 1918._ M.C. to Lieutenant Arthur Ronald Stansmore Nutting,
Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In
spite of heavy shell-fire at night he brought up the rations to
Battalion Headquarters in the second objective, and remained there
until his duty was finished. He has never failed to supply his
battalion with rations in most dangerous situations.”
_6th April 1918._ M.C. to Second Lieutenant Eric Edwin Anderson,
Irish Guards, Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and
devotion to duty when in command of his platoon. He attacked a
machine-gun position, capturing the two guns, and killed all the
garrison. He was responsible for capturing two more machine-guns at
the first objective. He had previously carried out a very valuable
reconnaissance.”
_6th April 1918._ M.C. to Lieutenant James Black, Irish Guards,
Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty
as Adjutant during three days’ operations. When the trenches of
one of the support companies were being blown to pieces he went
from Battalion Headquarters and led the company forward into a new
position.”
_23rd April 1918._ M.C. to Second Lieutenant Ronald Hubert Mungo
Park, Irish Guards, Special Reserve, attached M.G. Corps: “For
conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a
section of machine-guns which he established in a well-chosen
position from which to bring in direct fire upon the enemy’s
approaches. He worked untiringly to establish a large reserve of
ammunition, and when the enemy counter-attacked they were twice
subjected to a heavy fire from his guns.”