Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 85

'The action is likely to become the classical example of the performance of its functions by a rear-guard: the battalion not only held up the attack of a strong hostile force in its original position, thereby securing the unmolested withdrawal of its Division but in retiring drew on to itself the attacks of very superior numbers of the enemy. It was finally cut off at Etreux by five or six times its numbers but held out for several hours, the remnant only surrendering when their ammunition was practically exhausted and only a small number of men remained unhurt. The survivors were warmly congratulated by the Germans on the fine fight they had made. No other claim to a memorial near Etreux is likely to be advanced and certainly nothing which would not take second place to the Munsters.'

The Battle Exploits Memorial Committee response to a 1919 proposal to erect a Regimental Memorial at Etreux

An 'Etreux 1914' Prisoner of War and Army Order 193 M.I.D. group of four awarded to Staff Sergeant H. W. Jordan, 'B' Company, 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers, who was wounded and taken a Prisoner of War on 27 August 1914 during his Battalion's epic rearguard action at Etruex

Together with one Platoon of 15th Hussars and two guns from 118th Battery Royal Field Artillery, it covered the rear-guard of the 1st Army Corps for six hours over a distance of five miles

Opposed by an entire German Army Corps advancing in an arc from the North-East on a three mile front, this small force carried out a fighting withdrawal until late in the afternoon when, with their ammunition almost exhausted, the remaining survivors lined the four sides of a walled orchard and fought to a finish

By the end of the day, the enemy's advance had been successfully delayed and a distance of twelve miles separated the 1st Army Corps from the German vanguard

1914 Star, clasp (9990 Pte. H. Jordan. R. Muns: Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (9990 Pte. H. W. Jordan. R. Mun. Fus.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue, (7658070 S. Sjt. H. W. Jordan R.A.P.C.), mounted as worn, nearly very fine (4)

M.I.D. London Gazette 30 January 1920:

'The names of the undermentioned Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men have been brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War, in accordance with the terms of Army Order 193 of 1919, for valuable services rendered whilst prisoners of war or interned (to be dated 5th May, 1919)'

Horace Walter Jordan was born at Camberwell, Surrey, on 30 April 1885, the son of Frederick William Jordan (1859-1909) and Kate Isobel Goosey (1864-1926). First recorded in the 1891 Census Return, the family are shown as residing at 4 Haven Green, Ealing; his father's occupation being given as 'Tailor and Outfitter'. He is again recorded in the 1901 Return, aged fifteen years, residing at 23 Inglis Road, Ealing, where his own occupation is given as 'Articled Pupil to Auctioneer'.

Jordan initially volunteered for service with the Kent Royal Garrison Artillery (Militia), attesting at London on 26 October 1904 and his occupation as 'Clerk' in the employ of Messrs Stubbs Ltd., 42 Gresham Street London. Serving for just forty-nine days, he was discharged on account of transfer to the Regular Army, joining the Worcestershire Regiment on 16 March 1905; being recorded as such in the 1911 Census Return, where he is shown as serving as 'clerk' with the 2nd Battalion, which at the time was stationed at Jhansi, India. Jordan transferred to the 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers in 1913, which on the outbreak of war was stationed at Malplaquet Barracks, Aldershot, having been assigned to the 1st (Guards) Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.

On mobilisation the 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers embarked for Le Havre aboard the SS Dunedin Castle, where it landed at Havre on 14 August 1914, Jordan being confirmed as having entered the France and Flanders theatre of war with 'B' Company on the 13 August 1914.

The Battalion acted as 1st Division reserve on 23 August 1914, a day in which 1st Army Corps was not heavily engaged except in the vicinity of Mons-Obourg where the 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment and 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment were particularly hard pressed. Following the decision to withdraw the BEF on account of the retreat of the French Fifth Army, the battalion marched south over the next few days, and by 27 August was occupying the village of Fesmy. The 1st Infantry Brigade was covering the withdrawal of the 1st Army Corps, which following the Battle of Le Cataeu represented the only intact Allied formation capable of stemming the advance of the German Army, rapidly advancing through the gap left by the retreating French. It was therefore imperative that the 1st Brigade's own withdrawal was carried out in good order, and this important task was entrusted to a small rearguard consisting of the 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers commanded by Major P Charrier with one squadron of 15th Hussars under the command of Lieutenant E Hardinge and one-half a section of 118 Battery RFA commanded by Major A Bayly.

Opposed by an entire German Army Corps advancing in an arc from the north-east on a three mile front, this small force carried out a fighting withdrawal until late in the afternoon when with their ammunition almost exhausted, the remaining survivors lined the four sides of a walled orchard and fought to a finish. By the end of the day, the enemy's advance had been successfully delayed and a distance of twelve miles separated the 1st Army Corps from the German vanguard.

Jordan was wounded in the heel and taken prisoner of war at Etreux on 27 August 1914. He was initially held at Gardelegen prisoner of war camp and was later sent to Merseburg. Upon his return to England after the war he was 'mentioned' for valuable services rendered whilst a prisoner of war.

Jordan married Dorothy Gertrude Constance Ross at St James's Church, Muswell Hill, Edmonton, on 11 October 1919. He later re-married Nancy Florence Hintze in October 1945 and died at Lewisham on 15 September 1955.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£650

Starting price
£240