Just reading John Lucy's There's A Devil In The Drum. Just before the 2nd RIR engaged the opposing German Army (with devastating RIR rifle fire) he describes an incident: "Presently our left hands slipped forward to the fore-ends of our rifles at the sight of approaching cavalry. Their slow careless gait and khaki uniforms soon showed them to be British. These mounted men were only six in number, and they led in other horses beside their own. On approaching them I was surprised to learn that they had been in action and were all wounded.... They were Hussars. We were full of admiration for these heroes. They told us some of their regiment had been killed, hence the led horses, and we looked on them and the riderless horses with increased respect. There is something poignant about riderless horses coming out of battle...One of them seated carelessly on his horse, with his cap lying neglected on the back of his head, took his cigarette out of his mouth, spat, and offered the remark: 'Pretty hot up there Mick', indicating with a back nod whence they had come. All Irishmen are Mick to English soldiers." A quick bit of searchenginery (Lucy gives the date of the incident 23rd August 1914) found the following, for this period. I presume the Hussars in the book to be the 15th Hussars: L/Cpl. O'MELIA, 18th (Queen Mary's Own) Hussars, HAUTRAGE MILITARY CEMETERY CWGC :: Casualty Details Lt. SOAMES, 20th Hussars, HAUTRAGE MILITARY CEMETERY CWGC :: Casualty Details Pte. SPURGEON, RAMC, Attd. 19th (Queen Alexandra's Own Royal) Hussars, HAUTRAGE MILITARY CEMETERY CWGC :: Casualty Details Pte. WRAIGHT, 15th (The King's) Hussars, HAUTRAGE MILITARY CEMETERY CWGC :: Casualty Details Pte. SULLIVAN, 15th (The King's) Hussars, LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL CWGC :: Casualty Details Cpt. WALKER, 15th (The King's) Hussars, LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL CWGC :: Casualty Details
Nice find, from a staggeringly brilliant memoir. Well done, Geoff. Indeed a brilliant book. 'fraid I have a habit of trying to trace such events from books, usually there is not enough information to be certain. This one looks OK. Only deaths for the time around there. There are 4 Lancers buried to the south near Maubeuge, but Lucy does say the horse men are Hussars.
More from the book... "During this action a young English corporal named Gedding distinguished himself by standing up to observe the flash of a big German gun which was doing a lot of damage to the right of our sector, where the trench went out almost at right angle to our front. His 'Here she comes' was answered by 'Good old George' as he and his mates cowered low to make themselves as small as possible against the impending explosion. This brave chap was killed a few hours later. He had been a noted footballer" Can't find a Gedding anywhere. Most likely the name is Giddings, but still no luck. The date would be around 19th - 21st September 1914.
I'm sure you've looked at this one, but there are only 4 "Gedd---" in 1914 and this one is a George and a Lance Serjeant. Also on the la Ferte sous Jouarre Memorial. GEDDES , GEORGE Lance Serjeant 7894 14/09/1914 27 Cameron Highlanders United Kingdom LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL hope of help!
I'm sure you've looked at this one, but there are only 4 "Gedd---" in 1914 and this one is a George and a Lance Serjeant. Also on the la Ferte sous Jouarre Memorial. GEDDES , GEORGE Lance Serjeant 7894 14/09/1914 27 Cameron Highlanders United Kingdom LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL hope of help! I think you may have it! I had thought of Geddes but ruled them out since I did not think an Irishman would get the name of the English corporal wrong - I'm assuming Geddes is very Irish. I was also looking for a 7th Bde. chap at least, not sure what the Cameron Highlanders were, I'll have to look it up. I think the book was written in the 1930s so facts could be a little distorted. Thanks.
If it's any help, Divisional Cavalry allocation was: 1 Div - 15 H 2 Div - 15 H 3 Div - 15 H A Sqn 4 Div - 19 H B Sqn 5 Div - 19 H A Sqn 6 Div - 19 H C Sqn There was a Corporal Garforth of 15 H who won a VC in that period; we; it's a 'G'.
