TOPIC:

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

OBE, military;
MC GV;
DCM Ed VII;
IGS 1895 (1) Hazara 1891;
QSA (5) Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Orange Free State;
KSA (2);
1914 Star, with clasp;
British War and Victory Medals, with MID;
Coronation 1911;
France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, with bronze palm;
Order of Merite Agricole, breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel

OBE London Gazette 1 January 1919.

MC London Gazette 18 February 1915.

DCM London Gazette 27 September 1901.

Edward Augustus Parker was born in Peckham, London about 1867 and enlisted in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in December 1886. Having then served with the 1st Battalion in the Hazara Expedition of 1891 (Medal & clasp), he was appointed Sergeant-Major in October 1898 and participated in the operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, including the action at Frederickstad on 20 October 1900. He was wounded on the latter occasion, mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901, refers) and awarded the DCM.

Subsequently commissioned as a Quarter-Master, with the honorary rank of Lieutenant, in the 1st Battalion in April 1904, he was a member of the regiment’s Coronation Contingent in 1911.

Advanced to QM & Captain in April 1914, Parker joined the 1st Battalion in Flanders in early October and was consequently witness to the severe fighting that followed. Following an abortive attack on Menin on the 17th, the Battalion - numbering 1150 officers and men - took up positions on the Broodseinde Ridge: within three days, as a consequence of severe enemy shelling and numerous infantry assaults, the unit’s strength was reduced to 200 officers and men.

On the 29th, the Battalion was reinforced by 200 men and moved to new positions just east of the village of Zandvoorde. The Germans attacked in force on the following day, supported by 260 heavy artillery guns, and managed to get behind the Battalion’s line: it was all but annihilated, just 90 men answering the roll call on the 31st, among them Parker, the only surviving officer.

He was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 17 February 1915, refers) and awarded the M.C., both distinctions undoubtedly reflecting his ‘gallantry in the Field’, as cited in a reference written by Major-General H. E. Holman at a later date. He was invested with his MC by King George V at Windsor Castle in April 1915, one of the first officers to be so honoured.

Parker was subsequently appointed to the Staff, initially serving as ADC to the GOC 7th Division (November 1914-May 1915), and afterwards as a Camp Commandant In IV Corps HQ (May 1915-February 1916), and Camp Commandant 4th Army (February 1916-March 1918). Then following a brief spell as Camp Commandant, Supreme War Council, he returned to his post in 4th Army and remained similarly employed until the war’s end.

He was awarded the OBE and five times mentioned in despatches (London Gazettes 15 June 1916, 4 June 1917, 7 April 1918, 20 December 1918 and 5 July 1919, refer); in addition he was appointed a Chevalier of the French Order of Merite Agricole (London Gazette 7 October 1919, refers), and awarded the Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 24 October 1919, refers).

Parker, who had been advanced to QM & Major on the recommendation of Lieutenant-General H. Rawlinson, GOC IV Corps, in May 1915, was appointed QM & Lieutenant-Colonel in November 1923, shortly before his retirement. He died in December 1939.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including the recipient’s pre-attestation recruit’s form; warrants appointing him to the rank of Sergeant-Major and Quarter-Master (1898 and 1914); his MID certificates for French’s despatch, dated 14 January 1915, and Haig’s despatches, dated 30 April 1916, 8 November 1918 and 16 March 1919; and an old copy of General Rawlinson’s letter recommending him for advancement to QM and Major, dated 5 May 1915.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (Lieut. W. Hatherley-Jones, 1st Bn. Rl. Welsh Fus.) naming impressed in a later style

William Hatherley-Jones was born in Chester in 1868, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 5 January 1898. He was advanced to Lieutenant in December 1899, and volunteered to serve with the 1st Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War in July 1900. He resigned his commission on 18 September 1901, returning to his civilian life as a law clerk.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Orange Free State, unofficial retaining rod between fourth and fifth clasps (5381 Pte. J. Baker, R. Welsh Fus:) with replacement retaining rod, edge bruising and contact marks
[ KSA (2) ]

KSA listed on WO100/327p293

Picture courtesy of Spink

DO GV ;
iQSA (3) Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (Lieut. A. R. H. Rycroft, R. Welsh, Fus:);
1914-15 Star (Capt. A. R. H. Rycroft. W. Kent. Yeo.);
British War and Victory Medals with MID (Major. A. R. H. Rycroft.;
Coronation 1911;
Territorial Decoration GV, HM 1919

DSO London Gazette 7 November 1918, the original citation states: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and ability. He led the company of Tanks, of which he was in command, on horseback, and was responsible for the capture of several batteries of artillery. He showed great ability as a leader, and by the example of his personal courage did much to ensure the success gained by his company.’

The Tank Corps Book of Honour adds: 'In the attack of August 8 he led his company of light tanks with conspicuous success. During the advance his company was responsible for the capture of several batteries of artillery. He led his company on horseback, and during a cavalry charge near Harbonnieres killed two of the enemy with his revolver. He showed great ability as a leader, and his personal bravery throughout the action ensured the success gained by his company.'

MID London Gazette 30 December 1918

Alfred Richard Hugh Rycroft, the second son of Third Baronet Rycroft, was born on 21 February 1876. Educated at Eton, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 15 November 1899. Serving in South Africa during the Boer War, he took part in operations in Natal, Tugela Heights, the relief of Ladysmith, and later operations in the Cape Colony. In 1901, he was a representative for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Sydney, during the inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Yeomanry on 7 January 1903, he was promoted Lieutenant on 17 June 1905 and Captain on 4 April 1909, and was appointed District Remount Officer for South Gloucester District on 1 April 1914. Serving with the Regiment during the Great War, he was promoted Major on 2 September 1916 and was seconded to the Tank Corps on 4 January 1918. As commander of ‘B’ Company, 6th Battalion Tank Corps (16 Whippets tanks), he was awarded the DSO for his actions during the battle of Amiens on 8 August 1918, during which battle he was also wounded. Although it is not clear what his prior service on the Western Front was, ‘The Dragon, The Regimental Paper for the Buffs’, notes:

‘When the Machine Gun Corps was formed, the former machine gun sections of the two Kent Yeomanry units were among the personnel transferred to the new unit ; when tanks first came into being some of the yeomen were among the earliest to volunteer to be trained in handling the new weapon of war, one officer of the West Kent Yeomanry, Major A R H Rycroft, earning a great reputation as a tank commander, and being awarded the DSO’

Following the cessation of hostilities, Rycroft was again appointed District Remount Officer for South Gloucester District on 21 February 1919, and held this post until April 1937. He died on 5 April 1944.

The miniature DSO, Boer War DCM group to Colour Sergeant, later Lieutenant Colonel Edward Arthur Stretch is here.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

IGS 1854 (1) Hazara 1891 (1360 Pte. J. Griffen 1st Bn. R.W. Fus.) note spelling of surname ;
QSA (2) Natal, Transvaal (1360 Pte. J. Griffin, R. Welsh Fus:);
KSA (2) (1360 Pte. J. Griffin. Rl: Welsh Fus:)