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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 83

An unusual campaign group of three awarded to Acting Serjeant T. H. Gillard, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, who was one of 101 men drawn from units of 3rd Division, who volunteered for service with the 3rd Divisional Cyclist Corps

This Company, which was attached to 'B' Squadron, 15th Hussars, was continuously in the forefront of all scouting and patrol activities across 3rd Division's entire front, and it was during one such patrol carried out by this unit in the early hours of the 21 August 1914, that Private John Parr, 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, was to become the first British soldier to be killed in action in the Great War, when, along with another cyclist he was sent on reconnaissance to the village of Obourg, north-east of Mons to locate the enemy, during which the two cyclists encountered an enemy cavalry patrol, and in the process of giving covering fire to his comrade, Parr was mortally wounded

1914 Star, clasp (13444 Pte T. Gillard. 4/R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (13444 A. Sjt. T. Gillard. R. Fus.), very fine (3)

Thomas Henry Gillard was born at Canning Town, the son of William and Sarah Gillard. He is recorded in both the 1891 and 1901 Census Returns, residing at 21 Ascot Street, West Ham, and 2 Dartmouth Road, West Ham, respectively, where his father's occupation is latterly given as 'Carman'.

Gillard attested for service with the Royal Fusiliers on 18 November 1908, and is recorded in the 1911 Census, aged 21 years, serving as a Private with the 4th Battalion, which at the time was stationed at Aldershot. A good athlete, he competed in many pre war regimental sports days, and is recorded as finishing runner-up in the 100 yards sprint, 220 yards flat, and the 100 yards hurdles races, held at Parkhurst Barracks on 16 May 1910.

At some stage during his pre-war service, Gillard volunteered to serve in the 3rd Divisional Cyclist Company, a mobile scouting unit that had been formed from NCO's and men drawn from the various infantry units of the 3rd Division, based at Divisional HQ, Bulford Depot, Salisbury Plain. On the outbreak of the Great War 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, was stationed at Parkhurst, Isle of Wight, having been assigned to the 9th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division. According to the 3rd Division QMG War Diary (WO/95/1383) the establishment of the Cyclist Company was increased from its nucleus of 40 all ranks to 101 all ranks on 8 August 1914, and attached to 'A' Squadron 15th Hussars, which formed the Divisional Mounted Troops.

Shortly after mobilisation, the Cyclist Company departed Bulford, when all officers and men rejoined their parent units. Assuming Gillard was attached to the company at this time, he would have rejoined the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, and embarked aboard the S. S. Martaban at Southampton on 13 August 1914, which arrived at Le Havre the following day. The MIC of Private Gillard confirms that he entered the France and Flanders theatre of war on this date.

On the arrival of Divisional HQ in France, on 17 August 1914, the Cyclist Company was reformed, and together with 'A' Squadron 15th Hussars, comprised the 3rd Divisional Mounted Troops. This company, together with the 15th Hussars, were continuously in the forefront of all scouting and patrol activities beyond 3rd Division's front line from 20 August onwards. It was during one such patrol carried out by this unit in the early hours of the 21 August 1914, that Private John Parr, 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, was to become the first British soldier to be killed in action in the Great War. Sent on reconnaissance to the village of Obourg, north-east of Mons to locate the enemy, along with another cyclist they encountered an enemy cavalry patrol, and in the process of giving covering fire to his comrade, Parr was mortally wounded.

One example of the dangerous patrol work it carried out this unit can be found in a report sent to Divisional HQ on the morning of 23 August 1914 by Lieutenant C. Whittle, which states 'A' Squadron, 15th Hussars, who, together with Captain Wells, accompanied by '40 sabres and 20 cyclists', reported: 'Uhlan patrols on the outskirts of Bray and Estinne Au Mont, with some 1,000 infantry in Waudrez' (WO/95/1375). These villages were located some 8 miles east of Mons. 'The History of the 15th King's Hussars' added the following detail:

'Early in the morning of 23rd August, two troops under Capt R. P. Wells started out on a mission to reconnoitre the villages of Havre and Bray. Lieutenant C. M. Hoare's troop soon met the enemy, and only extricated himself by hard fighting, falling back to the village of St Symphorien, from which he was summarily ejected by the enemy…as soon as it became apparent that Captain Wells and his men were in difficulties, the rest of 'A' Squadron was sent to his support. This tiny reinforcement could not offer any material opposition to the hostile advance, and after suffering considerable losses, the remnants joined 'B' Squadron at Villers St. Ghislain. It was impossible to evacuate the wounded and those unable to move, as they lay all over the stubble fields, and thus were left to their fate'.

The war diary for the 3rd Divisional Cyclist Company has, unfortunately, not survived. However, the war diary of 'A' Squadron, 15th Hussars records that throughout the First Battle of Ypres, the cyclists from this company fought alongside their Hussar comrades in the trenches. The war diary entry for 22 October 1914 recording:

'AUBERS - Division executed slight retirement during night. Germans did the same - our cyclists and machine guns occupied trenches until 3am'. Similarly, the entry for the 8th November 1914 recorded: 'HALTE - 1 MILE EAST OF YPRES - two local attacks between 5 and 7pm. Squadron lined road all night with fixed bayonets. Cyclists in trenches with us'. (WO/95/)

Gillard was officially transferred to the Army Cyclist Corps on 8 January 1915, being posted to 1Xth Corps Cyclist Battalion. He was discharged the service on account of sickness on 16 February 1919, in accordance with King's Regulations, Paragraph 392 (xvia), 'being surplus to military requirements, having suffered impairment since entry into the service'. He was awarded Silver war Badge No B330437, which was issued on 14 November 1919.

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Sold for
£220

Starting price
£160