Lot Essay
INDENT68866 Driver Ernest Brown was killed at Nery, France, during the Batle of Le Cateau in one of the most famous actions of the Great War.
On the last day of the retirement, 1 September 1914 'L' Battery R.H.A. after distinguishing itself at Mons and during the retreat, came into action against a vastly superior German force. During the concentrated enemy shell-fire all the horses and the majority of officers and men were killed; the fire was so destructive that only one gun remained in action and this was served until all the ammunition was expended. Captain Bradbury in Command of the Battery had his leg blown off by a shell, but propping himself up continued to direct fire till he died, two other officers dying beside him. A Sergeant Major, a Sergeant, a Driver and a Gunner served the gun until relieved by I Battery and the Queen's Bays. Three Victoria Crosses were awarded to the Battery for this action where, of over 200 officers and men, just 40 survived. The bullet riddled guns of 'L' Battery were brought back to England for public exhibition. Driver Brown was buried in a communal grave in the special cemetery at Nery created for those killed during this epic affair (refer to Hal Giblin's article in "Coin and Medal News")
On the last day of the retirement, 1 September 1914 'L' Battery R.H.A. after distinguishing itself at Mons and during the retreat, came into action against a vastly superior German force. During the concentrated enemy shell-fire all the horses and the majority of officers and men were killed; the fire was so destructive that only one gun remained in action and this was served until all the ammunition was expended. Captain Bradbury in Command of the Battery had his leg blown off by a shell, but propping himself up continued to direct fire till he died, two other officers dying beside him. A Sergeant Major, a Sergeant, a Driver and a Gunner served the gun until relieved by I Battery and the Queen's Bays. Three Victoria Crosses were awarded to the Battery for this action where, of over 200 officers and men, just 40 survived. The bullet riddled guns of 'L' Battery were brought back to England for public exhibition. Driver Brown was buried in a communal grave in the special cemetery at Nery created for those killed during this epic affair (refer to Hal Giblin's article in "Coin and Medal News")