War Diaries Talk

Awards for Cavalry Officers

  • cyngast by cyngast moderator

    Under 31 Dec., the last entry, in the third line it says that Lt. H. R. Barton was awarded what looks like an "Immediate Reward" for leading a patrol. Am I reading that correctly? If so, what it is? I can't find anything online to explain it.

    I tagged Lt. Barton with "Awards/Commendations" but I'm still very curious as to what this could be.

    Posted

  • marie.eklidvirginmedia.com by marie.eklidvirginmedia.com

    This link mentions Immediate Awards under 'General Notes’ but I am not sure which reward Lt Barton would have received.

    http://www.1914-1918.net/soldiers/gallantry.html

    PS. Sometimes when an named Officer is listed, after his name, the Author may put the award listed, i.e. Joe Blogs, MC or other. So Lt. H R Barton may have his award after his name later in the diary but as I said, not sure what reward he would have received. Maybe he was promoted to a higher rank?

    Posted

  • cyngast by cyngast moderator

    Thank you, Marie. I didn't think of looking in The Long, Long Trail. I should know by now to start there first!

    As you mentioned, it does explain what an immediate award is. So far, I haven't seen Lt. Barton's name again maybe find out which award he was granted.

    Posted

  • David_Underdown by David_Underdown moderator

    Seems most likely to be this man https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/227555 Herbert Ralp Barton, whose medal card shows he was commissioned from the ranks and awarded the Military Cross. The initial notification appeared on 18 January 1918 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30482/supplement/955. The citation was published on 25 April 1918 (which is about the right length of time) https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30651/supplement/4995 and read:

    "Lt. Herbert Ralph Barton, Hrs.

    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was sent forward to obtain information of the progress of an attack. Under heavy shell fire he worked his way up to the most advanced position gained, where the enemy were making a counter-attack. He sent back most useful information from time-to time, and returned with a very full and clear account of the situation, which was of the greatest value."

    His original commission was also a reward "for service in the field" https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/28949/page/8515

    A hunt through WO 389 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/C14593 should confirm the date and location of the original action, but is rather time consuming (the date and location of Fresnoy suggest this was part of the Battle of Cambrai)

    He appears to have also had Second World War service as Major (Quartermaster) with 13th Frontier Force Rifles (Indian Army), and was appointed MBE in the 1944 King's Birthday Honours https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36544/supplement/2577 (recommendation here WO 373/156/691 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7624553). This indicates that he had been QM at the Frontier Force Rifles Regimental Centre (ie depot) since 1932, managing all the relevant logistics (which included a huge expansion with additional battalions and independent comapnies being raised during the Second World War).

    Posted

  • David_Underdown by David_Underdown moderator

    A bit more, promoted Lt-Col 16 Sept 1944 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36955/page/1081, retired 16 Oct 1947 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38113/page/5145 and granted honorary rank of colonel from that date https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38114/supplement/5183. A pretty fine career for someone who started as a ranker.

    Posted

  • ral104 by ral104 moderator, scientist

    Fascinating! Thanks, David.

    Posted

  • cyngast by cyngast moderator

    David, Thank you for hunting up all that information! Yes, it was during the Battle of Cambrai. I know that from the diary, and this page mentions Bourlon. As far as I remember, though, this was the first mention of Lt. Barton having done anything out of the ordinary. I'm not sure if the diary even mentioned he had led a patrol. It is a sometimes confusing account of the unit's actions because of the companies provided to the 4th Cavalry Dismounted Battalion.

    By the way, this diary was one of those where the author tended to include a lot of activity from the other regiments in the 4th Cavalry Brigade. It makes for difficult tagging--to separate out only what the 3rd Hussars did, as well as the tedium of tagging other units repeatedly--but I realized it gives a great picture of the overall situation, such as the operations around Gillemont Farm earlier in 1917.

    Posted

  • ral104 by ral104 moderator, scientist

    I'm finding the same thing with the 4th Dragoon Guards - lots of brigade level info. As you say, it's great for getting an idea of the wider context.

    Posted

  • cyngast by cyngast moderator

    As I have gone ahead with this unit, I've found a nominal roll of officers from August, 1918, that shows Lt. H. R. Barton, M.C., so I think, David, you found the right man.

    Posted