Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private C. Coote, 12th (The Prince of Wales’s Royal) Lancers, who was killed in the cavalry charge at Moy during the retreat from Mons on 28 August 1914

1914 Star, with copy clasp (561 Pte. C. Coote. 12/Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals (L-1561 Pte. C. Coote. 12-Lrs.) good very fine (3) £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Recipients of the 1914 Star.

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Charles Coote served with the 12th Lancers during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 August 1914 and was killed in action on 28 August 1914. He was one of four men in addition to Captain Michell who were killed on this day in the affair at Cerizy when “C” Squadron of the 12th Lancers, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Wormald, made a successful charge against a dismounted squadron of Prussian Dragoons during the retreat from Mons.

‘The Colonel at once ordered “C” Squadron forward at the walk as the ground over which they were moving was getting steeper, and he wished to keep the horses as fresh as possible for the final charge. Just before reaching the crest, he gave orders to “Form Squadrons” as the Squadron was moving.
In “Line of Troop Columns” over the rough ground, as they topped the crest and came in sight of the enemy, he gave the order “Gallop” and “Charge” the latter call being taken up by the “C” Squadron trumpeter. In a perfect line, with a ringing cheer, the Squadron, with Lieutenant-Colonel Wormald and his two orderlies and the Trumpet Major about 30 yards ahead and Adjutant on his left, raced across the remaining 50 yards that separated them from the enemy. The German Cavalrymen for the most part fought exceedingly gallantly, though a few put up their hands or laid down in the roots.
The Colonel was immediately wounded and his horse shot dead, though not before he had transfixed his man so thoroughly that his sword buckled and remained firmly embedded in the German soldier’s body. One of his orderlies, Private Nolan, was killed, and the other (Private Casey), after having his horse shot under him, extricated himself and his rifle and accounted for four Germans. Trumpet-Major Mowlam who was following the Colonel, was severely wounded in the thigh, the only one of the Headquarters Party being the Adjutant, Captain Bryan, who accounted for no less than five Germans with his own sword.
Captain Michell was killed at the head of “C” Squadron in the first charge, shot through the head by a well aimed German bullet, but otherwise casualties were very small, four men being killed and Lieutenant-Colonel Wormald and five men wounded. As soon as “C” Squadron had broken completely through the German position, Lieutenant R. Wyndham Quinn quickly rallied them, and charged back back through the position, accounting for a few more of the enemy en route. Then, rallying again, the Squadron once more charged up the hill, but the enemy had by then been accounted for, except four un-wounded men who were discovered hiding in the roots, and who were taken prisoner.
The losses suffered by this German Cavalry Brigade must have put it out of action as a fighting unit for several days, as well as inflict a very severe blow to its morale. Of the Squadron engaged by “C” Squadron 75 to 80 killed and wounded were counted on the ground after the action, 4 unwounded prisoners being taken, as already mentioned. The actual fight took place in the vicinity of the farm of Cerizy, but to the 12th Lancers this engagement will always be known as Moy.’ (Extract from the appendix of the 12th Lancers War Diary, August 1914).

Coote is buried at Moÿ-de-l’Aisne Communal Cemetery, France.