Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family group:

A Great War M.C. group of three awarded to Lieutenant A. Elsbury, Tank Corps, late 1st South African Infantry and 7th Battalion London Regiment
Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; 1914-15 Star (Pte., 1st Infantry); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut); together with an erased Victory Medal 1914-19, mounted for display

Pair: Serjeant W. H. Elsbury, 5th Company Army Service Corps, Australian Imperial Forces
1914-15 Star (182 5 A.S.C. A.I.F.); British War Medal 1914-20 (182 Sjt., 5/A.S.C. A.I.F.); together with an erased Victory Medal 1914-19, mounted for display, very fine and better (7) £900-1000

M.C. London Gazette 16 September 1918. ‘Lt. Arthur Elsbury, Lond. R.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer, leading a section of light Tanks, found a large body of the enemy drawn up for attack, charged into the middle of them, ramming them down and firing at point-blank range, inflicting very heavy casualties, and completely disorganising the development of the attack. Later, he rescued the crew of a Tank which had been put out of action. He also carried out two important reconnaissances under heavy fire.’

Arthur Elsbury served as a Private in the 1st South African Infantry, 7 October 1914-18 July 1915. He was commissioned into the 7th Battalion London Regiment on 24 June 1916. In January 1916 he was attached to the recently formed ‘C Battalion, Heavy Branch, Machine Gun Corps, which in June 1917 became the 3rd Battalion Tank Corps. He entered France in October 1916. He served as Tank Commander in 12 Section, ‘C’ Company of the Mark V Heavy 3rd Tank Battalion, fighting in Belgium and his service was brought to notice for fighting his tank with gallantry and initiative at Cambrai in November 1917. Promoted to Lieutenant in December 1917. As a Section Commander at the battle of Villers Brettoneux, April 1918, he earned his Military Cross. In the action, it is recorded that an attack by just six Whippet tanks on two German battalions resulted in at least 400 of the enemy killed.

With copied gazette, m.i.c. and Army List extracts and a copied account of the tank action at Villers Brettoneux. With ‘Tank Corps’ Christmas card 1918, inscribed, ‘To All at Home From Dad, 18.12.18’.

William Henry Elsbury, brother of Arthur, was born in Broken Hill, New South Wales. A Clerk by occupation, he attested for the Australian Imperial Force at Brisbane on 14 December 1914. Posted to the 5th Company Army Service Corps, A.I.F., he embarked for active service abroad in April 1915, travelling on the Star of England. Was in Egypt in 1916 and was attached to the 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade in April 1916-August 1917. Admitted to hospital suffering from malaria in July 1917. Promoted to Sergeant in December 1918. Embarked at Kantara on H.T. Essex for Australia and demobilisation in February 1919.

With copied service papers.