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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 285

A rare Battle of Wieltje May 1915 M.M. awarded to Private F. Pollard, 18th (Queen Mary's Own) Royal Hussars, who also suffered gas poisoning in the trenches

Military Medal, G.V.R. (10855 Pte. F. Pollard. 18/Hrs:), very fine

Just 28 M.M.'s to the Regiment for the entire Great War.

M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1916. The Regimental History gives the following:

'Carried messages along a demolished fire trench on 13 May 1915 at Wieltje, under terrific fire of all kinds when communication appeared impossible.'

Frederick Pollard was born in 1895 and served in France with the 18th Hussars from 11 November 1914, little did he know it would be four long years until peace would be declared. He shared in their famous action of 13 May 1915, the War Diary records:

'In trenches. At 3:30 am the enemy opened heavy shell fire on the front trenches held by the 2nd Cavalry Brigade that portion held by the 18th Hussars being particularly battered. Considerable lengths of trenches on the left of the 18th Hussars' line were demolished by cross fire from heavy howitzers. Casualties became very heavy.

All communication was cut by the levelling of the trenches and the incessant fire of guns and machine guns. The part of the right Sqn under Capt O'Kelly after considerable loss were withdrawn by its commander to a ditch about 150 yards in rear of the fighting line which he had been informed gave better cover but not liking something returned at 6:30 am to the firing line, the other part of B Sqn under Lt Lane remained in the firing line all the time.

The centre Sqn under Capt Lyon (A) suffered severely. Out of 3 officers 1 was killed (Lt Taylor) and 2 were wounded and 3 out of the 4 Troop Sergeants were killed. Major Corbett who commended the Regt this day, Lt Col Burnett being in charge of the Brigade, was killed as he was going along the trench to encourage his men. The right trenches of C Squadron were blown to pieces. A Company of the Essex Regt came up to occupy the line which were supposed to be abandoned, but the 18th Hussars were found to be still in possession.

During the remainder of the day the remnants of the Regiment held the still intact parts of the parapets aided by the machine gun of the Essex Regt and about a Company of the same Corps. The bombardment of the 18th Hussars' trenches was of such an intensity that a black pall hung over them for long periods from 3:30 am until about 10 am, when heavy intermittent shelling continued till dark. The noise was deafening and the place a veritable inferno. The regiment retired at 9 pm to the support trenches having been relieved by the 4th DGs and at midnight the whole Brigade was relieved by Infantry and withdrew to the support line.'

As they dusted themselves down, the gallant Hussars counted 2 Officers and 19 other ranks killed, besides 6 Officers and 103 wounded and 24 missing. Pollard more than did his part, being recorded as serving with 'B' Squadron at the point of his being admitted to hospital due to gas poisoning on 24 May 1915.

He made his recovery in order to take the riband of the M.M. from the General Officer Commanding 1st Cavalry Division on 10 December 1916.

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Estimate
£300 to £500

Starting price
£240