British Campaign and Gallantry Medals

A Great War M.C. group of four awarded to Captain Horace Malcolm Eldridge, Northamptonshire Regiment, late Honourable Artillery Company and latterly Royal Air Force

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; 1914 Star (899 Pte., H.A.C. (Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) these three late issues, mounted court style for wear, nearly extremely fine (4) £700-800

M.C. London Gazette ‘Temp. Capt., North’n.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in extinguishing a burning dump of ammunition, at imminent personal risk, by throwing earth and stamping upon it, no water being available. His promptness and bravery saved many lives’.

Horace Malcolm Eldridge was born on 25 February 1890. Prior to the war he lived at ‘Glencairn, Surbiton Hill, Surrey’ and was employed as a Solicitor with Messrs. Birs & Eldridge. As a Private in the 1st Battalion H.A.C. Infantry, he sailed on the Westmeath and entered France on 18 September 1914. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment on 19 January 1915, being advanced to Temporary Lieutenant in July 1915; Acting Captain in August 1916; and Temporary Captain in February 1917. Serving with the Northamptonshire Regiment, he was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery in extinguishing a fire at an ammunition dump. On 28 March 1918 he was appointed an Equipment Officer 3rd Class with the R.F.C. Latterly with the R.A.F., he was transferred to Unemployed List on 30 April 1919. Eldridge’s 1914 Star trio were issued in December 1935.

With copied m.i.c., gazette extracts; R.A.F. service papers and other research.