Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine 1918 Hindenburg Line M.C. group of four awarded to Captain G. E. Gott, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who had only just rejoined his battalion from wounds received in the First Battle of Ypres in 1914

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; 1914 Star, with clasp (Lieut., Bedf. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) mounted as worn, good very fine (4) £1200-1500

M.C. London Gazette 15 February 1919; citation London Gazette 30 July 1919: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and good leadership in command of a supporting company in an attack on Ronssoy, September 18th, 1918. He early became engaged with the enemy and overcame all opposition, capturing three machine guns and twenty prisoners and killing many. On reaching his objective he reorganised his company under heavy shell fire and thoroughly cleared this area of all hidden enemy.’

Gerald Ewart Gott was born on 16 January 1893, and was first appointed a Second Lieutenant in the Bedfordshire Regiment on 14 February 1912, becoming Lieutenant in April 1913. He served with the 2nd Battalion in France and Flanders from 7 October 1914, when he landed with the battalion at Zeebrugge. He was severely wounded at Gheluvelt on 23 October 1914, during the First Battle of Ypres.

Gott was appointed to the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) as a Temporary Captain in July 1916, and seconded to the Machine Gun Corps (Heavy) in October 1916. He rejoined the 2nd Hertfords at the end of August or early September of 1918, and his part in the battle of Spehy-Ronssoy, during the battle of the Hindenburg Line on 18 September 1918, is described in the history of the 2nd Battalion:

‘At 5.20 a.m. the assault began; in the darkness the 7th Royal West Kents drifted slightly to the right, so that our leading companies, who were following in support, became involved in the fighting. Captain Gott’s company specially distinguished itself by clearing a spinney where three machine-guns and 30 prisoners were captured and many killed. From here the leading companies were in touch with the enemy, and consequently were somewhat exhausted and reduced in strength on arrival at our correct jumping-off line.

‘The Battalion attacked in square formation, with “C” Company on the left and “B” Company on the right in front line, with “A” and “B” Companies in support. Ronssoy was quickly overrun, and then the mopping up was taken in hand. Two of the three tanks of “A: Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, were of the greatest help in the village.

‘Captain G. E. Gott, who had only recently rejoined the Battalion from wounds received in the First Battle of Ypres in 1914, was awarded the Military Cross for the way he handled his company early in the day, and also for the way “he reorganised his comapny on reaching his objective, and thoroughly cleared this area of all hidden enemy.”

Captain Gott was wounded during the operations on 18-22 September 1918. He was placed on half pay in October 1920, and ‘on completion of a period of five years on the half pay list’, was placed on ‘retired pay on account of ill-health caused by wounds, 14th January 1926.’