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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 838

Three: Private S. Gregory, Manchester Regiment, late South Wales Borderers, who was killed on 24 July 1920 in a 'V.C. Action' during the Iraq Revolt

British War and Victory Medals (38563 Pte. S. Gregory. S. Wales. Bord.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (61947 Pte. S. Gregory. Manch. R.), the first officially re-impressed, good very fine (3)

Samuel Gregory served with 'A' Company of the 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment in Iraq. He was killed in action near Hillah, the story of which is best described in the citation for the posthumous Victoria Cross to Captain George Stewart Henderson, V.C., D.S.O. and Bar, M.C.:

'On the evening of the 24th July, 1920, when about fifteen miles from Hillah (Mesopotamia), the Company under his command was ordered to retire. After proceeding about 500 yards a large party of Arabs suddenly opened fire from the flank, causing the Company to split up and waver. Regardless of all danger, Capt. Henderson at once reorganised the Company, led them gallantly to the attack and drove off the enemy. On two further occasions this officer led his men to charge the Arabs with the bayonet and forced them to retire. At one time, when the situation was extremely critical and the troops and transport were getting out of hand, Capt. Henderson, by sheer pluck and coolness, steadied his command, prevented the Company from being cut up and saved the situation. During the second charge he fell wounded, but refused to leave his command, and just as the Company reached the trench they were making for, he was again wounded. Realising that he could do no more, he asked one of his N.C.O.'s to hold him up on the embankment, saying, "I'm, done now, don't let them beat you." He died fighting.'

Aged just 22 and the son of John and Mary E. Gregory, of 42 Oakfield Road, Altricham, Cheshire, Gregory is commemorated upon the Basra Memorial, Iraq; sold with copied research.


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Sold for
£320