Orders, Decorations and Medals

An interesting M.B.E., Passchendaele M.C. group of four awarded to Captain R. L. Busby, 2/8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, afterwards a prominent figure in Manchester and Salford, not least in his role as Secretary and Director of the local racecourse and as Commandant of the Salford “Specials” during the Blitz

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately engraved, ‘Captain R. L. Busby’; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. (Capt. R. L. Busby), good very fine (4) £1200-1500

M.C. London Gazette 6 April 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On his Commanding Officer becoming a casualty, he took charge of the situation, communicated with the forward troops, and sent messages to Brigade Headquarters under difficulties. He collected men from various units scattered about in shell holes and sent them forward under a responsible leader. The men though tired out, were everywhere inspired by his coolness and tact.’

M.B.E. London Gazette 9 June 1938:

‘For political and public services in Manchester and Salford.’

Robert Lancelot Busby was born in Hampstead, London in 1880, but lived with an uncle, Charles Frail, following the death of his parents in the 1890s. In 1898, his uncle, a well-known figure in the world of horse racing, acquired 132 acres of land adjacent to the River Irwell in Salford - upon which in May 1901 was laid the foundation stone of the Club Stand for Manchester Racecourse: Robert was appointed Secretary of the newly established racecourse in 1904.

The Great War - Passchendaele M.C. - P.O.W.

On the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, he applied for a commission in the Lancashire Fusiliers and was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2/8th Battalion in August 1915. However, the unit did not proceed to France until March 1917, by which time Busby was a Captain and Adjutant. In the latter capacity, he was responsible for maintaining the unit’s war diary, his entry on the eve of an attack at Passchendaele on 9 October 1917 stating:

‘Conditions were almost indescribable. The night was inky and the track led over ground covered with innumerable shell-holes full of mud and water. This march would normally take about one and a half hours. It took the Battalion eleven and a half hours.’

The regimental history describes how the men were often up to their waists in water and how ‘several drowned through sinking down in the water from the weight of their equipment and sheer exhaustion.’ The C.O. of the 2/8th having been wounded on the morning of the 9 October, Busby assumed command of the Battalion H.Q. and, as cited above, went forward to rally the men: according to the regimental history they ‘responded cheerfully to the inspiration of his coolness and tact.’

At length the Battalion’s objective was gained but casualties amounted to 13 officers and 374 other ranks killed, wounded or missing. In his war diary entry dated 31 October 1917, Busby listed those decorated for their part in the attack, his own name appearing among those awarded the M.C.

By March 1918, the Battalion was positioned east of Peronne where, on the 20th, it faced the full might of the ‘German Spring Offensive’ - a devastating heavy bombardment of gas and high explosive shells was swiftly followed by massed ranks of enemy infantry and some 500 of its ranks were killed, wounded or taken prisoner. Busby was among the latter and was interned at the Citadel Queists P.O.W. Camp in Germany prior to his repatriation to England at the end of November. He was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 23 May 1918, refers).

Secretary & Director of Manchester Racecourse and local politician - M.B.E.

Returning to his duties at Manchester Racecourse, which venue became renowned as one of the most up-to-date courses in the country, Busby became a Director and won a reputation for being one of the the best racecourse organisers in the country. ‘As much at ease with a groundsman as with a member of the Jockey Club,’ he also served for many years as Chairman of the North Salford Conservative Association, in addition to being a member of the Salford Bench and the Board of the Disabled Ex-Servicemen’s Home at Broughton. He was awarded the M.B.E. in June 1938.

Commandant of the Salford “Specials” during the Blitz

On the renewal of hostilities in 1939, Busby was appointed Commandant of the Salford Special Constabulary, in which role he faced numerous challenges when enemy raids on the Manchester area commenced in August 1940 - the heaviest raids over two nights in December resulted in 900 killed and 3,000 injured. In Salford, around 8,000 homes were destroyed and Busby’s office wrecked - and a direct hit on the racecourse resulted in the cancellation of the New Year meeting. According to local press coverage at the time, ‘he held to his war work for weeks after a man more sparing of himself would have rested,’ a sacrifice that appears to have led to a nervous breakdown.

Finally persuaded that he should take recuperative leave, Busby retreated to Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales but, on 18 August 1941, he took his own life - full details of his career and tragic death appeared in a biographical article in Medal News in February 2012 - “A Study in Fortitude”; sold with an extensive file of copied research, including his MIC entry which confirms his B.W.M. & Victory Medals were issued in 1928.