Orders, Decorations and Medals

The rare and important D.C.M. group of five awarded to Saddler Staff Sergeant W.A. Simpson, 21st Lancers, for the Victoria Cross action at Hafiz Kor in India

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, G.V.R. (3764 Sd. S. Sjt., 21/Lrs.); 1914-15 STAR (Sd. S. Sjt., 21-Lrs.); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS, M.I.D. (A.W.O. Cl. 2, 21- Lrs.); FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE 1914-1916, with bronze palm, reverse engraved (21st Lrs. M.G.C.) light contact marks, otherwise very fine (4)

D.C M., London Gazette, 15 March 1916: 'For conspicuous gallantry. He dismounted and rescued a comrade by shooting a tribesman, and then went on foot to the assistance of an officer of his regiment and held off the enemy with his revolver. The officer was mortally wounded, and Serjeant Simpson was hit in the shoulder and badly hacked about by swordsmen before he was rescued by some other men of the regiment.'

In the action at Hafiz Kor on the North West Frontier of India on the 5th September, 1915, the 21st Lancers were engaged in a sharp encounter with tribesmen. Amongst the casualties were three officers of the regiment including Lieutenant Colonel J.B. Scriven. Shoeing Smith Charles Hull was awarded the Victoria Cross for rescuing Captain G.E.D. Learoyd, whose horse had been shot. In addition to Sergeant Simpson, the D.C.M. was awarded to Lance-Corporal Ballard and Regimental Sergeant-Major Ryder. Thus, one V.C. and three D.C.M’s were the only such awards to the 21st Lancers during the Great War.