The Old and the Bold


Medal Citations

Victoria Cross


Temporary Lieutenant Wilbur Dartnell, late 25th (Service) Battalion (Frontiersmen), The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment).

For most conspicuous bravery near Maktau (East Africa) on 3rd September, 1915. During a mounted infantry engagement the enemy got within a few yards of our men, and it was found impossible to get the more severely wounded away. Lieutenant Dartnell, who was himself being carried away wounded in the leg, seeing, the situation, and knowing that the enemy's black troops murdered the wounded, insisted on being left behind in the hopes of being able to save the lives of the other wounded men. He gave his own life in the gallant attempt to save others.

(London Gazette #29414, dated 23rd December 1915.)




Distinguished Service Order


Capt. Frederick Courteney Selous, Royal Fusiliers.

For conspicuous gallantry, resource and endurance. He has set a magnificent example to all ranks, and the value of his services with his battalion cannot be over-estimated.

(London Gazette #29765, dated 26th September 1916.)


Temp. Maj. Henry Herbert Ronald White, R. Fus. (late Capt., K.R.R.C.).

For conspicuous gallantry in action. He displayed great courage and initiative in handling two companies under heavy fire. He has performed consistent good work throughout, and has at all times set a splendid example.

(London Gazette #29940, dated 13th February 1917.)




Military Cross


Temp. Lt. Angus Buchanan, R. Fus.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in bringing up his machine guns with great skill and fearlessness into the heart of an attack, during which he silenced an enemy machine gun, which was afterwards captured.

(London Gazette #30466, dated 9th January 1918.)




Distinguished Conduct Medal


13359 Pte. A. Harden, 25th Bn., R. Fus.

For conspicuous gallantry in going out under heavy fire and bringing in a wounded man of another unit.

(London Gazette #29684, dated 27th July 1916.)


13145 Coy. S./M. H. J. Poole, R. Fus.

For conspicuous gallantry when capturing a pom-pom. He was foremost in a charge, during which the enemy gunners were shot and bayonetted while serving the gun against our attack.

(London Gazette #29793, dated 20th October 1916.)


12904 L./Cpl. C. Stevens, R. Fus.

For conspicuous gallantry when capturing a machine gun. He was foremost in the charge, and shot the gunner while the gun was in action.

(London Gazette #29793, dated 20th October 1916.)


15035 Pte. J. D. Brown, R. Fus. (Stirling).

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in working his machine gun with great fearlessness, skill and determination during severe fighting, in which an enemy machine gun was silenced and captured.

(London Gazette #30495, dated 26th January 1918.)


G/13104 Cpl. (A./Sjt.) J. Lovell, R. Fus. (Southampton).

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has rendered excellent service during a long period, shown great courage in action, and set a splendid example to all ranks.

(London Gazette #30530, dated 18th February 1918.)


G/14956 Pte. (A./Sjt.) A. C. Orchard, R. Fus. (Gloster).

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has rendered excellent service during a long period, shown great courage in action, and set a splendid example to all ranks.

(London Gazette #30530, dated 18th February 1918.)


G/13381 Sjt. (A./C.S.M.) J. Shaughnessy, R. Fus. (" E " Manchester).

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has rendered excellent service during a long period, shown great courage in action, and set a splendid example to all ranks.

(London Gazette #30530, dated 18th February 1918.)


G/36053 Pte. A. Smith, R. Fus. (Frontiersmen) (Heaton).

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Though the remainder of his team had all become casualties, and though he himself was severely wounded, he continued to fire his machine gun until it was put out of action by enemy fire. The courage and determination which he displayed in remaining with his unit to the end of the action were worthy of the highest praise.

(London Gazette #30601, dated 28th March 1918.)


13181 Sjt. C. E. Brazier, R. Fus. (Walthamstow).

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in charge of two machine guns, and during the whole action behaved with conspicuous coolness and courage, handling his guns with accuracy and skill. He helped considerably to beat off the enemy attack.

(London Gazette #30932, dated 3rd October 1918.)


G/12872 Pte. W. E. T. Chester, R. Fus. (Highgate).

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was the last man left in action on Nos. 2 and 4 machine guns. He continued fighting although wounded in three places, until he received a fourth wound, which put him out of action. His conduct throughout the action was most gallant.

(London Gazette #30932, dated 3rd October 1918.)


G/13194 Sjt. (A./C.S.M.) H. H. Hopper, R. Fus. (Hull).

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After the officers of his company had been put out of action, C.S.M. Hopper took charge and continued the action until ordered to retire. He reorganised his company in their new position, and by his example encouraged the men to hold on under very heavy fire.

(London Gazette #30932, dated 3rd October 1918.)




Cross of St. George, 4th Class (Russian)


13145 Company Serjt.-Major Herbert James Poole, 25th (Ser.) Bn., The Royal Fusiliers (Frontiersmen).

On the 24th June, 1916, showed conspicuous gallantry in the capture of an enemy pom-pom.  He was foremost in the charge, in which the gunners were shot and bayonetted whilst serving the gun in action against our advance.

(Advanced Routine Orders (Special) No.83 (cont.), Morogoro, 12th November, 1916.)




Medal of St. George, 2nd Class (Russian)


13095 Serjeant Frederick Sydney Flynn, 25th (Ser.) Bn., Royal Fusiliers.

On the 24th June, 1916, this N.C.O. led his men with much gallantry, and headed the bayonet charge until he was severely wounded.

(Advanced Routine Orders (Special) No.83 (cont.), Morogoro, 12th November, 1916.)




Medal of St. George, 3rd Class (Russian)


13359 Private Allen Harden, 25th (Ser.) Bn., The Royal Fusiliers (Frontiersmen).

On the 21st March, 1916, Private Harden went out about 40 yards from the trenches under heavy fire and brought in a wounded South African.

(Advanced Routine Orders (Special) No.83 (cont.), Morogoro, 12th November, 1916.)


12904 Private (Lance-Corpl.) Charles Stevens, 25th (Ser.) Bn., The Royal Fusiliers (Frontiersmen).

On the 24th June, 1916, showed conspicuous gallantry in the capture of an enemy machine gun.  He was foremost in the action, and shot down the gunner whilst the gun was in action.

(Advanced Routine Orders (Special) No.83 (cont.), Morogoro, 12th November, 1916.)




Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal


14991 Pte. C. W. Edwards

Private C. W. Edwards & Sepoy Nadir Ali.

On the 19th March 1916, two men when bathing in the harbour at Kilandini, East Africa, were swept out a quarter of a mile by the current. Edwards swam out and brought one man in, and then with Ali went out and kept the other afloat till a boat reached them.

(Royal Humane Society Case #42378)

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