Lot Essay
INDENTM.C. London Gazette 12.3.1918. Citation 28.7.1918 "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading a daylight raid. On two previous occasions he attempted to raid a post but was frustrated owing to an enemy machine gun and the wire being uncut. He also did very good work in carrying out reconnaissances and bringing back valuable information" (These raids are well described in the Bn.War Diaries - the last successful one was given the title - 'Thorpe's Raid')
Second Lieutenant Herbert Gordon Thorpe, M.C. educated at Rugby and at Southampton University College, enlisted in the 11th Gloucestershire Regiment, declined a commission and became a Sergeant Bombing Instructor; in this capacity he was retained in England but anxious to go to the Front he accepted a commission in the King's Liverpool Regiment. He went to France October 1917 - attached to the 9th Bn., he was transferred to the 1st.
At the start of the Great German Offensive 21 March 1918, Thorpe's Bn. was hurriedly sent to the Front to assist in stopping a gap in the line. They held out until the 24th - Thorpe was the only officer left with a handful of men. Both flanks were up in the air and Thorpe's men were cut off entirely and were all killed. Thorpe was first posted as missing but his grave was found in October 1919 where he fell at Haplincourt and he was buried at Bancourt.
Second Lieutenant Herbert Gordon Thorpe, M.C. educated at Rugby and at Southampton University College, enlisted in the 11th Gloucestershire Regiment, declined a commission and became a Sergeant Bombing Instructor; in this capacity he was retained in England but anxious to go to the Front he accepted a commission in the King's Liverpool Regiment. He went to France October 1917 - attached to the 9th Bn., he was transferred to the 1st.
At the start of the Great German Offensive 21 March 1918, Thorpe's Bn. was hurriedly sent to the Front to assist in stopping a gap in the line. They held out until the 24th - Thorpe was the only officer left with a handful of men. Both flanks were up in the air and Thorpe's men were cut off entirely and were all killed. Thorpe was first posted as missing but his grave was found in October 1919 where he fell at Haplincourt and he was buried at Bancourt.