Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family group:

A Great War M.C. group of three awarded to Lieutenant A. Elsbury, 7th London Regiment, attached 3rd Battalion, Tank Corps, late 1st South African Infantry for gallantry near Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918; he had previously been brought to notice for fighting his tank with gallantry, especially at Cambrai in November 1917

Military Cross, G.V.R. unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (Pte. A. Elsbury. 1st Infantry); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. A. Elsbury.) together with an erased Victory Medal 1914-19, mounted for display

Pair: Serjeant W. H. Elsbury, 5th Company Army Service Corps, Australian Imperial Forces, attached 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade in Sinai and Palestine

1914-15 Star (182 Pte. W. H. Elsbury. 5 A.S.C. A.I.F.); British War Medal 1914-20 (182 Sjt. W. H. Elsbury. 5/A.S.C. A.I.F.) together with an erased Victory Medal 1914-19, mounted for display, very fine and better (7) £800-£1,000

M.C. London Gazette 16 September 1918. The following recommendation is taken from The Tank Corps Honours and Awards 1916-1919, a shorter, redacted version of which was published in the London Gazette of the above date:

‘During the action near Villers-Bretonneux on April 24, 1918, this officer led his section of light tanks into action with the greatest gallantry and determination. Finding a large body of enemy drawn up ready to attack, he charged right into the midst of them, and by running them down and firing on them at point-blank range inflicted on them exceedingly heavy casualties. There is no doubt that this action completely disorganised two battalions of the enemy and prevented the attack developing in this sector during a very critical period.
Later he rescued the crew of another tank, which had been put out of action, under heavy fire and at great personal risk. On April 25-26, 1918, he assisted in carrying out two valuable reconnaissances, on each occasion under heavy fire. Lieut. Elsbury has been previously brought to notice for fighting his tank with gallantry and initiative, especially at the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917.’

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.

Sold with comprehensive research, including copied gazette, Medal Index Card, record of service, various metal and cloth insignia, a reprint of The Tank Corps Honours and Awards 1916-1919, and Tanks and Trenches, edited by David Fletcher, together with a ‘Tank Corps’ Christmas card 1918, inscribed, ‘To All at Home From Dad, 18.12.18’, and copied record of service for his brother below.

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.