Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 264

A very fine Great War D.S.O. group of five awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel C. M. T. Hogg, 4th Gurkha Rifles

The gallant Hogg earned no less than three 'mentions' during his career, the most notable in the famous V.C. action at Neuve Chapelle on 12 March 1915, when he led a party to attempt to bring in a wounded comrade who laid wounded in No Man's Land, having seen another party cut down in front of their eyes, he forged headlong into the hail of fire for his fellow man; severely wounded in action himself, the wounded soldier was eventually recovered, with a V.C. and several I.O.M.'s going to those who followed him

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R. in silver-gilt and enamel; 1914-15 Star (Maj. C. M. T. Hogg, D.S.O., 1/4/Gurkha Rfls.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Maj. C. M. T. Hogg.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1919-21, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt-Col. C. M. T. Hogg, 1-4 Grks.), mounted as worn, enamel flaked on two arms of the D.S.O., good very fine (5)

D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1917.

M.I.D. London Gazette 25 June 1915, 4 January 1917 & 12 June 1923 (Waziristan).

Cyril Mindon Trower Hogg was born in India on 25 January 1879, son of Colonel T. W. Hogg. Having been baptised at Jubbulpore, he was educated at Bedford Grammar School and Sandhurst, besides winning the Public Schools middle-weight boxing championship at Aldershot in 1897, and middle-weight at Sandhurst in 1898. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the South Lancashire Regiment in August 1898, he became Lieutenant in May 1900, and transferred to the 4th Gurkha Rifles, in August 1900.

Promoted to Captain in August 1907, Hogg would be seconded to the Eastern Bengal & Assam Military Police, being made Assistant Commandant of the Naga Hills Military Police in 1908. Returned to the Gurkhas in October 1909, he went to Staff College at Quetta in February 1914 and passed as a Machine Gun Officer soonafter. It was to be training that would be put to the test before long.

Seeing active service in France from November 1914-March 1915. Having been attached to the 1st Battalion, 4th Gurkhas from January 1915, Hogg was to be wounded on 12 March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle, in which same action saw Jemadar Gunjabir Gurung and Riflemen Wazir Sing Burathoki & Khamba Sing Gurung take the I.O.M. and Private Buckingham the Victoria Cross. After their noon attack left a wounded man in front of the trenches of 'A' Company, Major Young and the two Riflemen went forward. All were killed. Thence Captain Hogg, the Jemadar and Private Buckingham went to effect the rescue. The Regimental History refers:

'...At once ran out to bring their comrades into safety. All were hit before they could effect anything. Proper covering fire on the enemy was then organised, and the wounded Leicestershire man and our own casualties were brought in without further loss.'

It seems remarkable that Hogg, whilst he came away with his life, only had a 'mention' to add to his laurels. The Battalion went into the action with 472 all ranks. Their casualties were 177 but they added 'NEUVE CHAPELLE' to their Battle Honors.

Posted to the 1st Battalion in April 1915 and having been advanced Major in September 1915, Hogg served in Egypt from December 1915-February 1916. Thence returned to the fold in France from 3 March 1916-8 July 1917, he was on the Staff of 3rd Army, May-July 1917, and then ordered to India where he served on the General Staff, Mhow Division.

Second-in-Command of the 1st Battalion, he led the Left Wing into action to join the Wana Column in Jandola and then they went up to relieve the 5/13th Frontier Force Rifles at Dargai Oba in February 1921. He took full command during the campaign, added a third 'mention' and retired in December 1922.

Returning to the fold during the Second World War, Hogg was made Squadron Leader at RAF Prestwick and retired, aged 64 & 11 months, in December 1943. He went to Kenya for a short time but did not settle and returned home to take a full part in his sporting pursuits. It was reported he could still play a 36-hole golf competition at the age of eighty. Hogg died on 18 August 1964; sold together with a good file of copied research.

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

Estimate
£1,800 to £2,200

Starting price
£1400