VCs of the First World War 1914 by Gerald Gliddon

Author:Gerald Gliddon [Gliddon, Gerald]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780752487502
Publisher: The History Press
Published: 2012-06-15T14:00:00+00:00

Horlock’s VC was gazetted on 25 November and he was presented with it by the King at General Headquarters at St Omer in France on 3 December. He was awarded his sergeant’s stripes on the same occasion, and these became known as the King’s Stripes.

The Royal Regiment of Artillery had a tremendous record in the early months of the war and the infantry came to have considerable faith in their gunner colleagues. Horlock was one of eight artillerymen to gain the VC within a short space of three weeks in 1914.

In August 1915 Horlock returned to his home in Langrish in Hampshire and was given a very enthusiastic reception both in Langrish and in Petersfield, a nearby larger town. At Petersfield station he was met by his family and by members of the Urban Council and was driven to his home in a motor car. The next day he was driven in a decorated motor car with his parents from their home in Langrish and met by members of the local council together with members of the Horlock family. He took his seat in an open carriage and the whole procession moved off to the Square. There was a bugle band and many local organizations took part. The Guard of Honour was supplied by members of the local police force, and a gaily decorated truck had been drawn up into which Horlock and his parents were ushered as it was to serve as a platform. Horlock’s war record was then read out to the cheering crowd and a purse containing £20 was presented to the local hero. Horlock thanked the Chairman of the Urban Council for his kind gift and used the occasion to drum up support for the war effort. The procession then re-formed and the Horlock carriage was taken to Langrish where it drew up at the local post office. This time the local Vicar, the Revd H.L. Bashford, made a long speech of welcome to which Horlock replied. The proceedings ended with the National Anthem. A few days later Horlock was given another official reception in East Meon, a nearby village, where a presentation took place in the grounds of the local vicarage. This time the soldier and his family were installed on a wagonette and taken to a platform which had been especially erected. Lord and Lady Peel took part along with the deputy vicar. Lord Peel made a stirring speech praising Horlock and his deeds and mentioned the local contribution to the war effort. Horlock was then asked to step forward for a presentation. His gift was a gold signet ring which had been subscribed to by the local inhabitants. The outside of the ring was inscribed EM, which stood for East Meon, and on the inside the inscription was E.G. Horlock, 113th Battery, RFA, VC. The ring was placed on Horlock’s wedding finger. Before the ceremony finished a reference was made to the fact that there were still some young men in the village who ought to join up.

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