How Captain Edward Kinder Bradbury, Sergeant David Nelson And Battery Sergeant-Major George Thomas Dorrell, “L” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, Won The V.C. At Neary

               Having discussed the situation with General Joffre, Sir John French renewed the retreat of his army on the afternoon of Saturday, August 29^th 1914.  To meet present circumstances the original plans of General Joffre had to be modified, and the British now moved towards the line of the river Aisne, from Soissons to Compiegne, and then in the direction of the Marne about Meaux.  On the night of August 31^st the Bays and “L” Battery of the Royal Horse Artillery bivouacked in an open orchard on the west side of the village of Nery.  The village lies low in the midst of broken and hill country.  To the south and east the ground rises suddenly and very steeply, and on the heights Lieutenant Tailby, of the Hussars, was patrolling in the early morning of September 1^st.  A thick fog hung over the ground, and besides shutting out the view, it muffled every sound.  Nevertheless, he groped along, stopping every now and again to listen, but neither hearing the enemy nor seeing any signs of them.  Then, all of a sudden, a whole column of German cavalry loomed out of the fog. Lieutenant Tailby was seen, and turning his horse abruptly round, he galloped off to worn the brigade.  He had just time enough to dash in and raise the alarm, and then shot and shell began to fall upon the village.  About five o’clock the fog cleared, and away on the heights could be seen the six German regiments, dismounted, with their twelve guns.  The advantage in an engagement would be greatly on the side of the Germans, both as regards numbers and the position, which they held.  But the British gallantly resolved to fight.

            Three only of the battery’s guns could be brought into action, and these quickly opened fire.  After getting their horses into safety, the Bays, who were in the line of fire, joined in with rifles and machineguns. The three guns kept up their fire admits a storm of shot and shell, but the range was only four hundred yards, and two of them were quickly knocked out of action.  Captain Bradbury, who was in command, had a leg blown off by a shell, but with the utmost bravery he propped himself up and continued to direct the fire till he fell dead.  Both Lieutenant Campbell and Brigade-Major Cawley died beside him, the latter after bringing up orders from Headquarters.  Lieutenants Gifford and Mundy were both wounded, and then, amidst a storm of fire from field guns, maxims, and rifles, sergeant Major Dorrell took command.  He was supported by Sergeant Nelson, who, though severely wounded, refused to retire, and also by gunner Barbyshire and Driver Osborne.  While they kept the last gun in action, the 5^th Dragoon Guards worked round to the northeast, to make a diversion from that flank.  They succeeded to a certain extent, but colonel Ansell fell, shot through the head, at the very commencement.  Without reinforcements they could do no more than make a demonstration, and for a time the situation was doubtful.  But the 4^th Cavalry Brigade suddenly arrived on the scene.  Dismounting from their horses they at once joined up with the 5^th Dragoon Guards, and the combined regiments then poured a steady fire into the enemy’s flank.  Finding that their position was getting rather hot, the Germans attempted to man handle their guns out of action.  A steady fire, however, was poured into their flank by the cavalry, and the Bays, who had mounted a marine gun in a sugar factory to the west of the village, attacked them with a frontal fire.  This proved too much for them, and, abandoning eight guns and a maxim, they made off towards Verrines.  The engagement had now been in progress a little over an hour, but to cap the victory the 11^th Hussars sprang on to their horses and dashed off in pursuit.  Fifty horses and a number of prisoners were brought back, and the Germans casualties in killed and wounded proved to be considerable.  Of just over two hundred officers and men of “L” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, only forty survived, but their magnificent courage and tenacity saved a serious situation, and, later, greatly helped towards the enemy’s defeat.  For their most gallant services, V.C.’s were awarded to Captain Bradbury, Sergeant-Major Dorrell and Sergeant, now Lieutenant, Nelson.  Extracted from 'Deeds That Thrill The Empire'     

How Corporal I. C. Allpress, Of The Royal Horse Artillery, Won The D.C.M. Near Krithia

  After the first movement against Krithia on April 28^th 1915, the line held by the Allied forces on the Gallipoli Peninsula extended from a point on the coast three miles northeast of Cape Tekke to a point one mile north of our front being held by the French.  No movement of any importance occurred on the two following days, which were spent by the Allies in consolidating and strengthening the positions gained and landing reinforcements.  But at 10 p.m. on the night of May 1^st, the Turks began shelling us heavily, and half an hour later, just before the moon rose, their infantry attacked in great force and with the utmost determination.  Their German officers had issued an eloquent invocation to the Turkish rank and file, who were exhorted, by one mighty effort, to fling all the invaders back into the sea: “Attack the enemy with the bayonet and utterly destroy him.  We shall not return one step, for if we do, our religion our country and our nation will perish.  Soldiers!  The world is looking at you!  Tour only hope of salvation is to bring this battle to a successful issue, or gloriously to give up your life in the attempt!”  The plan of attack was for the Turks to crawl forward on hands and knees, under cover of their artillery fire until the time came for the final rush to be made.  They advanced in a three deep formation, and the first line had no ammunition, so that the men might be forced to rely on the bayonet. The right of the 86^th Brigade whom the artillery bombardment had fallen most heavily, had also to bear the chief imnpact of the Turkish charge, and for a moment an ugly gap appeared in our line; but a brilliant bayonet charge by a Territorial battalion the 5^th Royal Scots, cleared the enemy from the trenches he had occupied and, with the assistance of the 1^st Essex, the front was soon restored.

            The storm next broke violently against the French left, south of the Krithia road, and the Senegalese, who held the first and second line trenches, supported by British artillery, were driven from them.  Here, at a place which we had named Stone Ridge, Corporal Allpress and a comrade belonging to “B” Battery, R.H.A., were occupying a dug out, which served as an observation station for their battalion in the rear, Allpress observing, while the other man worked the telephone.  The wave of Turks dashed over the first line trenches and on to the second, which they also carried; and the observation post became an island in a sea of men.  Happily, this particular spot was only crossed by three of the enemy, whom the artillerymen disposed of with their revolvers.  A bullet in the throat, however, killed Allpress’s comrade,, and he was left alone.  Nevertheless, this brave fellow, undisturbed by the extraordinary situation in which he found himself-one man in the midst of thousands of fanatical enemies, some of whom might at any moment discover his whereabouts-calmly assumed the double duty of observer and telephone operator, and continued to watch the fire of his battery and communicate his directions to the gunners throughout the remainder of that night, the whole of the following day, and the succeeding night.  And when, on the second night, the Allies and the lost trenches retaken delivered a successful counter attack, there was Corporal Allpress still alternatively observing and telephoning-an example of coolness and courage which would be indeed difficult to beat. Corporal Allpress was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, “for great gallantry and devotion to duty,” thus adding yet another honour to the long list of decorations won by the R.H.A. since the beginning of the war.  Extracted from 'Deeds That Thrill The Empire'      

Light Horse

1^st Fife Light Horse

 It was originally formed as the 1^st Fife Mounted Rifles, with headquarters at Cupar, and four troops (companies), 1^st at Cupar, 2^nd at St Andrews, 3^rd at Kirkcaldy, and 4^th at Dunfermline, the date of acceptance of its services being June 7^th 1860, and that of the first commissions of the officers July 11^th 1860.  The original uniform was scarlet tunics with blue piping, blue pantaloons with scarlet piping, Napoleon boots, black leather helmets with silver ornaments and spike, blue forage caps with scarlet band and top, and brown belts.  White plumes for full dress were added to the helmets in 1864, and in 1879 the officers adopted silver lace belts for full dress. The original armament was a cavalry sword and short Enfield rifles, and the men rode their own horses and used hunting saddles. In 1870 the designation of the corps was changed to 1^st Fife Light Horse, mainly on account of the difficulty of keeping up the minimum establishment of four companies of “mounted rifles,” which was fixed at 172, while for “light horse” it was only 144.  At the same time Westley-Richard carbines were substituted for the short Enfield rifles, which were very inconvenient to carry on horseback. In 1876 the 1^st Forfar Light Horse, one troop strong, was attached to the regiment for training and administration, and in 1883 a fifth troop was raised with headquarters at Perth. On the formation of the Imperial Yeomanry for service in South Africa in January 1900, the Fife and Forfar Light Horse formed the nucleas of the 20^th company, which was embodied in the 6^th (Scottish) battalion, two of the officers of the Fife Light Horse, Lieutenants J. Gilmour and J. Simpson, proceeding to South Africa with the company. In May 1901 the corps was amalgamated with the 1^st Forfar Light Horse and transferred to the Imperial Yeomanry establishment under the title of “Fifeshire and Forfarshire Imperial Yeomanry,” in which “A” squadron represented the old 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd troops, “B” the 4^th and 5^th, and “C” the 1^st Forfar Light Horse.

 The commanding officers have been-

Lieut-Colonel John Anstruther Thomson (hon.col), late Captain 9^th Light Dragoons, August 31^st 1866.

Leut-Colonel Sir John Gilmour, Bart., V.D., October 30^th 1895, till transfer to Imperial Yeomanry.

  1^st Forfar Light Horse

The 1^st Forfar Light Horse, one troop strong, was raised, with headquarters at Dundee, on July 5^th 1876.  Its uniform was the same as that of the 1^st Fife Light Horse, to which it was attached for drill and administration from the date of its formation, and with which it was finally amalgamated on the transfer of both to the Imperial Yeomanry in May 1901.

            Its commanding officer throughout its independent existence was-

          Captain Patrick A. W. Carnegy (hon. Major), V.D., late Captain 15^th Hussars, July 5^th 1876.

  Mounted Rifles

1^st Elgin mounted Rifles

  The 1^st Elgin mounted Rifles were formed with the establishment of a company, at Elgin on January 9^th 1869, and were attached to the 1^st Administrative Battalion Elgin R.V.

            The uniform was blue hussar tunics with white lace and red collars and cuffs, Bedford cord breeches with riding boots, and Busby with blue bag, and the armament was swords and short Snider-Enfield rifles.

            The commanding officer was-

           Captain J. Grant Peterkin, January 9^th 1869.

  1^st Roxburgh (The Border) Mounted

Rifles

  This corps was raised, with an establishment of one company, and headquarters at St. Boswells, under the title of 1^st Roxburgh Mounted Rifles, on February13th 1872, and was attached to the 1^st Roxburgh and Selkirk Administrative Battalion R.V.  Its uniform was a slate-grey, without facings, with five rows of broad black braid on the breast of the tunic, black piping and Austrian knot, and a double back stripe on the pantaloons, butcher boots, busbies and scarlet bag and black and white plume, and brown “Sam Browne” belt.  The armament was a cavalry sword and short Snider Enfield rifle, the latter carried in a “Namaqua” bucket on the off wallet, the muzzle under the man’s right arm.  The saddlery consisted of hunting bridles and breastplates with head collar and white head rope, and hunting saddles with white girths, the cloak being carried rolled in front of the saddle.  The clothing cost £10, 4s. 6d, the belts £1, 10s., the head collar and rope, Namaqua bucket, and cloak straps £1, 1s., and spurs, &c., £1, 1s. 3d. -In all, £13, 16s. 9d., which each man had to pay on joining, besides engaging to mount himself on a suitable horse.  The corps assembled annually for eight days training, as did the yeomanry of those days.

            On January 22^nd 1880, the corps was granted the title of “The Border Mounted Rifles,” and in that year grey helmets with Silver Star and the motto, “Whadaur meddle wi me?” replaced the busbies, and silver lace edging was added to the piping on the collars, shoulder straps, and the Austrian knot.  In the following year the Martini-Henry rifles replaced the short Snider-Enfield in the armament. The corps acquired much fame in shooting competitions for its special arm, and in 1884 its team were first and fifth, and in 1885 fist and second, for the Lloyd-Lindsay competition at Wimbledon. In 1886 the corps attained its highest strength, 57 members, and was then divided into two troops, “A” at Hawick and “B” at Kelso headquarters being moved to Hawick. In 1888 bandoliers for 50 rounds were adopted in addition to the pouch for 20 rounds in front and that for 40 rounds in rear hitherto worn, and the sword was placed on the saddle.  In the following year the corps was attached to the “South of Scotland” Volunteer Infantry Brigade, of which Viscount Melgund, who had till then commanded the corps, was appointed Brigadier and it was supplied which four 1-horse carts as transport.

            Unfortunately, agricultural depression had its effect on the corps, and the numbers gradually fell off.  In 1891 the corps did not train, and on March 31^st 1892, it was disbanded, after a honourable existence of twenty years.

            The commanding officers were-

  Captain G. J. Viscount Melgund (now the Earl of Minto) late Ensign and Lieutenant, Scots Guards, February 13^th 1872.

  Captain J. C. Earl of Dalkeith, November 27^th 1889, till March 31^st 1892.

1^st Dumfries Mounted Rifles

  The 1^st Dumfries Mounted Rifles, with an establishment of one company and headquarters at Lockerbie, was formed on November 25^th 1874, and was attached to the 1^st Administrative Battalion Dumfries R.V.  It was disbanded in 1880, numbers having fallen off on account of agricultural depression.

             Its uniform was scarlet without facings, blue pantaloons with scarlet stripes, butcher boots, black leather helmets with silver ornaments, brown “Sam Browne” belts, and scarlet forage-caps with white (silver for officers) bands.  The armament, equipment, and saddlery were similar to those of the Border Mounted Rifles described above.

              Its commanding officer throughout its existence was-

           Captain Arthur Johnstone Douglas, late English 42^nd Foot, November 25^th 1874.

PATRICK MULLANE  (Sergeant, afterwards Sergeant Major)  Royal Horse Artillery            On July 27^th 1880, after the disaster at Maiwand, our small force was retreating to Kandahar, when Driver Pickwell Istead fell badly wounded.  Although the enemy were only ten or fifteen yards distant, Patrick Mullane, seeing the driver’s danger, unhesitatingly ran back two yards and lifted him on to the limber of his guns, where he unfortunately died almost immediately.  Later on, he volunteered to fetch water for the wounded, going for it to a village near, where already so many of our men had been killed. 

JAMES COLLIS  (Gunner)  Royal horse Artillery             After the fearful disaster at Maiwand, on July 27^th 1880, a retreat was made to Kandahar by the remnant of our force.  The road became blocked by masses of fugitives, and the sufferings of the wounded were increased by terrible thirst.  The conduct of James Collis was most noticeable, for, time after time, he went into the villages on the road to procure water for them, running the greatest risk in so doing, by reason of the bands of Afghans who hovered around, attacking our disorganized soldiers whenever an opportunity presented itself.  His finest act took place at the bend of a road through a narrow defile.  A body of Afghan cavalry bore down upon the gun carriage he was guarding and directed a hail of bullets on the wounded, who had been placed upon the limber.  In order to draw their attention from the helpless men, Collis to the side of the road and returned the fire of the pursuing horsemen, making himself their target, and by his heroic act the limber was dragged around the bend of the road and the wounded saved.  Later on he again distinguished himself by volunteering to carry a message from the beleaguered garrison to General Dewberry, entrenched some distance off.  This he successfully accomplished though fired at by the enemy both when going and returning.  James Collis was born at Cambridge in 1860.  His Cross-was presented to him on Poona Racecourse by Sur Frederick (now Earl) Roberts.

EDMUND JOHN PHIPPS-HORNBY  (Major, now Lieut. –Colonel)  “Q” Battery Royal Horse Artillery               On March 31^st 1900, a force under General Broadwood was falling back upon Bloemfontein from Thabanchu.  It crossed the Modder River and Bivouacked at 4.30 a.m.  When the Boers attacked at 5.45 a.m., the convoy of about 100 wagons was hurried away towards Bloemfontein along the road which traversed a large open plain about one-and-a-half miles in diameter, across which, at right angles, ran a donga, and through this the wagons began to pass.  The guns of “Q” and “U” Batteries followed in line.  From the statement of some Boer prisoners, who said that they had been present on the occasion, it would appear that a large party of them had been making their way to Thabanchu and marched across the spruit straight into our camp.  They promptly beat the hasty retreat and got into the drift just before daylight, and as the convoy came up, disarmed the drivers, took them prisoners, and packed each wagon on.  Various statements have been made as to what actually happened at this moment.  One version is that Major Hornby, being told that the enemy were in the drift, promptly galloped his battery away to bring it into action, and that the noise caused thereby told the Boers that they were detected, and they at once opened a terrific fire on all who had not passed the drift.  However, it is certain that no sooner had the battery commenced to dash away than the enemy concentrated a furious fire upon the frantic horses and their gallant drivers and gunners.  One gun and one wagon, their horses mown down, were left behind.  Reaching a spot about 800 yards distant, the remaining guns were unlimbered and came into action, firing steadily.  The horses were taken behind some unfinished railway sheds some distance away.  So terrible was the fire, that every man round one of the guns was hit, and, at two of them, only one man was left to serve each, and one to bring up ammunition for both.  Soon, of all the officers who had come into action, Major Phipps-Hornby was the only one left. The ground was littered with dead and dying men, the bullets were rattling on the guns like hail, and every time that limbers with ammunition were brought up, the horses were all killed.  Word was presently sent to retire and save the guns I possible, and, as the fire was too hot for the horses to face, it was resolved to try to drag them back by hand.  Four guns were hauled to shelter in this way, and it was then necessary to bring the limbers.  The work was so terribly hard, and the distance so considerable, that volunteers were called for to take out horses for the purpose.  This means and two more partly by horses and partly by hand brought in two limbers.  One gun and one limber still remained in the open, and, though four heroic attempts were made, the horses were killed each time, and, finally they had to be abandoned.  The rescued guns had one by one been sent to a place of safety, where the battery was reformed.  Upnder a deluge of shot and shell, such as perhaps has only been equalled by that forced by the 14^th and 66^th Batteries at Colenso the heroism displayed by all ranks was so magnificent that it was impossible to select any individual for special reward, and the Commandr-in-Chief decided to act in accordance with Rule 13 of the Victoria Cross Warrant, which resulted in the decoration being awarded to Major Phipps-Hornby, Sergeant Parker, Gunner Lodge and Driver Glasock.  That so many guns were saved under such terrible circumstances, and such a frightful fire from the enemy, and that the little force was extricated from the dangerous position in which it was placed, was very greatly due to the heroism and individual example of Major Phipps-Hornby, who was in command, and who most fearlessly exposed himself during the terrible ordeal.  Colonel Phipps-Hornby, son of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Geoffrey Phipps-Hornby, G.C.B., was born December 31^st 1857, at Lordington, Sussex.  Entered the Royal Artillery in 1877, his first service being in the Bechuanaland Expedition 1884-5.  Became Major, December 11^th 1895; Brevet-Lieut. –Colonel-for distinguished service-Novemebr 29^th 1900; and was, from April 12^th following, until attaining the rank of Lieut. –Colonel in the Regiment, A.D.C. to the Commander-in-Chief, Earl Roberts, V.C. 

A.     PARKER    (Sergeant)  “Q” Battery Royal Horse Artillery             The heroic act in which Sergeant Parker took part will be found described in detail in the record of Major Phipps-Hornby.  The bravery exhibited by all concerned in the affair at Korn Spruit on March 31^st 1900, wasd so marked as to render to impossible to single out any individual for special merit.  Therefore the Commander-in-Chief decided to treat the case as coming under Rule 13 of the Victoria CrossWarrant, and Sergeant Parker was elected by the non-commissioned officers of the Battery as the representative they considered most worthy of the decoration. 

ISAAC LODGE  (Gunner, now Bombardier)  “Q” Barttery Royal horse Artillery             The Victoria Cross was awarded to this gunner for his heroic bravery in saving the guns at Korn Spruit, a description of which is given in the sketch of Major Philips-Hornby (V.C.).  Isaac Lodge was born at Great Canfield on May 6^th 1866, enlisted in the R.G.A. on December 29^th 1888, and transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery in February 1889; posted to “B” Battery and transferred five years later to the now historic “Q” Battery.  During the early days of the war, he saw very active service in Cape Colony, Transvaal, and Orange Free State, including the relief of Kimberley, and the bombardment of the victors of Magersontein at Paardeberg, for which he was awarded the Queen’s medal and four clasps.

H. H. GLASOCK  (Driver)  “Q” Battery Royal Horse Artillery            The episode of saving the guns at Krn Spruit on March 31^st 1900 will rank in the annals of the British Army with the heroic act at “Maiwand,” in the Afghan War, when James Collis and Patrick Mullane earned their Crosses so worthily.  A full description of the Korn Spruit affair and the heroism displayed by Glasock, Parker.  Lodge, and Major Phipps-Hornby, will be found in record of the last named.  The conduct of all concerned was so splendid that it was impossible to choose any individual as more worthy of the distinguished decoration than any of the others engaged, therefore the Commander-in-Chief decided to treat the case of the Battery as one of collective gallantry under Rule 13 of the Victoria Cross Warrant, and Driver Glasock was selected by the drivers of the Battery as the man they considered most deserving of the award.

ALFRED ERNEST IND  (Shoeing Smith)  Royal Horse Artillery, X.I. section Pompoms)            On December 20^th 1901, a sharp action was fought in the Orange River Colony, at aplace called Tafelkop.  So fierce and accurate was the fire of the enemy that the whole of those serving the Pompom had, with the exception of Ind, been shot down.  Disregarding his coimrades fate, Ind stuck to his post, firing into the advancing Boers until the last possible moment.  So heroic was his behaviour on this occasion, that Captain Jeffcoat, mortally wounded at he was, signified his wish that Ind’s conduct be brought to the notice of the superior officer, and, eventually, to the authorities, for not only had he, on this special occasion, behaved with conspicuous bravery, but on every one in which he had been engaged since his section had been in action.  Alfred Ernest Ind is the son of Mr. George Ind, of Tetbury, Gloucestershire, where he was born on September 16^th 1872.  Entered the Royal Horse Artillery on February 19^th 1901, being promoted Corporal subsequent to the action above described.  For his services during the war has been awarded the Queen and King’s medal with clasps to each, and is now a member of that celebrated battery known as the “Chestnut Troops.”  He was once wounded, and four times mentioned in despatches, including that in which he was named for the Victoria Cross, which was pinned to his breast at Buckingham Palace, Novemeber 26^th 1902, by H.M. the King.

Cameron Highlanders Capture a German Force on the Yser by Jason Askew. (GL)