Collective Gratitude
In the summer of 1917 over three hundred gallantry awards were invested publicly by His Majesty King George V in London’s Hyde Park. Among them were no less than eleven awards of the Victoria Cross.
The afternoon of 2 June 1917 saw one of the largest investiture ceremonies ever held in Hyde Park, London, with an announcement detailing some of the proceedings published in the press that same day. The Times, for example, stated the following:
‘The ceremony, which will be simple and impressive, will give to the people of London one of the rare opportunities they have had since the beginning of the war of expressing collectively their gratitude to the men who have fought and are fighting, and to the nurses who have tended them, and at the same time of demonstrating their loyalty to the Sovereign.
‘Between Knightsbridge Barracks and the Serpentine an oval enclosure has been prepared. On one side a canopied pavilion has been erected, flanked by rows of chairs for the soldiers, sailors, and nurses who are to be decorated, and their relatives, a number of representatives of the British and Dominion and Allied Governments, members of both Houses of Parliament, and other ticketholders. Arrangements have also been made for the accommodation of some of the American doctors and nurses now in this country. Around the remaining part of the enclosure, which will be kept by sentries, seats have been placed for about 150 wounded officers and 600 wounded soldiers from various hospitals in or near London. Behind the sentries there will be ample space for thousands of the general public.
‘The King and Queen will be received by Field-Marshal Viscount French and Lieutenant-General Sir Francis Lloyd. They will be escorted to the paradeground by a detachment of First Life Guards, commanded by Major Lord Pearhyn, and a guard of honour of 100 men of the Scots Guards will be on duty in front of the Royal Pavilion. The Royal Standard will be broken as their Majesties alight, the guard of honour will give a Royal Salute, and the massed bands of the Brigade of Guards will play the National Anthem.’
During the investiture, which lasted about two hours, a total of 351 awards were presented. This included eleven Victoria Crosses, four of them posthumously. In all, 313 servicemen received their awards personally, whilst twenty-six were received by relatives. There were twelve awards of the Royal Red Cross to nurses.
‘MAD HARRY’ MURRAY
The first individual to be presented to the King was Major Henry Murray, Australian Imperial Force. In its biography of ‘Mad Harry’ Murray, the Australian War Memorial called him ‘the most highly decorated soldier in the Australian army; dashing, brave and handsome, Murray rose from the ranks to command a battalion’. The account goes on to state:
‘He described his occupation as a “bushman” when he joined the 16th Battalion AIF in 1914, but Harry Murray was already a mature and independent leader of men ... It was soon evident that he was also a natural soldier. On Gallipoli he was promoted, awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, then commissioned as an officer in the 13th Battalion.
‘The following year, in France, Murray’s reputation grew, and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his work at Mouquet Farm. Later, in January 1917, near Gueudecourt, in a night attack at Stormy Trench, he won the Victoria Cross. There, in fierce fighting, he fought off enemy counterattacks and led a “brilliant charge”. At Bullecourt in April, leading his troops with the cry, “come on men, the 16th are getting hell”, he got a second DSO.’
These were the awards presented by the King at Hyde Park, and the Australian War Memorial biography continues:
‘Murray was not a reckless hero, but rather a quiet and charismatic leader who believed in training and discipline and who possessed sound tactical skills. In May 1918 he was promoted lieutenant colonel to command the 4th Machine Gun Battalion. Further honours came; he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre and appointed Companion in the Order of St. Michael and St. George. Charles Bean described him as “the most distinguished fighting officer of the AIF”.’
Following behind Murray in the presentations was Lieutenant-Colonel James Forbes-Robertson, Border Regiment attached Newfoundland Regiment, who received the DSO and MC. The next eight individuals were all decorated with the DSO – and included the names of Captain Ambrose Peck RN and Captain Edward Evans RN for exploits on HMS Swift and HMS Broke respectively.
The DSO presentations were then followed by the award of VC and MC to Captain William Allen, Royal Army Medical Corps. Allen attended St Cuthbert’s College before studying medicine at Sheffield University and joined the RAMC a few days after the declaration of war, being commissioned as a lieutenant on 8 August 1914. On 3 September 1916 Allen was attached to the 246th (West Riding) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, when he undertook the actions near Mesnil in France for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Allen was followed onto the platform by Second Lieutenant Frederick Palmer, Royal Fusiliers, who was presented with the VC and the MM. After him came a further four VC recipients.
Among the next-of-kin present were those who accepted the posthumous VCs awarded to Second Lieutenant George Cates, Rifle Brigade; Sergeant J. Erskine, Scottish Rifles; Sergeant T.
Mottershead, RFC; and Private J. Fynn, South Wales Borderers.
A report in The Illustrated London states that: ‘a blinded soldier, who was led up by an orderly to receive the Military Medal, aroused the sympathies of all present. Among the spectators were some six hundred wounded men.’
Throughout the ceremony, the Queen remained on the platform with the King. Before departing at the conclusion of the investiture, all those decorated give three cheers for the King.