Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War ‘Gaza’ M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel C. Hodgson, Royal West Kent Regiment, late Royal Fusiliers

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; 1914-15 Star (2 Lieut., R.W. Kent R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col.) mounted as worn, good very fine and better (4) £1000-1200

Ex Sotheby’s, 26 November 1999.

M.C. London Gazette 16 August 1917. ‘2nd Lt. (actg. Capt.), R.W. Kent, Spec. Res.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After the capture of an enemy position he showed great coolness and initiative in pushing forward under heavy fire and checking an enemy counter-attack. He afterwards withdrew to the main line, and showed remarkable skill in holding the captured position. He also carried three wounded men to cover under heavy fire.’

Claude Hodgson was born in Beverley, East Yorkshire and was educated at Eton College. A Farmer by occupation, he attested for the Royal Fusiliers at Scarborough on 15 September 1914, aged 29 years. Serving with the 21st Battalion on Home Service, he attained the rank of Sergeant in January 1915. On 18 May 1915 he was discharged to a commission in the Royal West Kent Regiment. As a 2nd Lieutenant he entered the Balkan theatre of war on 31 October 1915 and served in Gallipoli, 31 October-13 December 1915. Serving then in Egypt and Palestine, Hodgson won the Military Cross for his gallantry and leadership in the attack on Samson Ridge, situated S.W. of Gaza, on 19 April 1917. Progressing swiftly through the ranks, by September 1917 he was ranked as an Acting Lieutenant-Colonel. With copied service papers, m.i.c. and other research.