HONOURS AND AWARDS - First World War
203rd (Cambridgeshire) Field Company, Royal Engineers.

Compiled and Copyright © Cliff Brown - 2001

 

* = not serving with 203rd Field Coy.

 

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

*Lt-Col John Henry LANGTON - Enlisted in Rifle Brigade in 1888 & later transferred to the RE. He retired from the army in 1910 with the rank of Sgt-Major. He rejoined the army at the outbreak of war, though over military age & fought in France from 1914 until the Armistice. CSM, signal coy RE, appointed Lt, 203rd FC March 1915. Lt, transferred to Royal Welsh Fusiliers in Sept 1915, promoted Capt. His DSO (London Gazette 1-1-1918) was awarded for "conspicuous organising ability" in connection with the Messines Ridge attack in 1917. He was twice recommended for the CMG. During the 1918 retreat he kept back large numbers of the enemy with a handful of men and, it is said, saved a regiment from destruction.

Major Kellow William PYE - commanding officer Sept 1915 to June 1917 (sent to India). DSO (London Gazette 1-1-1917) for general good work, 1917 (at Arras). Born 12-9-1882. Gazetted 2nd Lt in RE 21-12-1901, Lt 1-4-04, Capt 21-12-12, Major 21-12-1916. Retired from army 12-2-20.

Major J W LLOYD DAVIES MC - Joined 203rd FC from 204th FC Nov 1915. Commanding officer from 5-9-1917 to 16-6-1918 (invalided with influenza). For general good work, (London Gazette 16-6-1918).

*Lt-Col Frederick SUMMERS MC - Joined 203rd FC on formation in March 1915 from Cambridge University OTC. Lt, commanded No 2 section, 1916. Transferred CRE's staff as adjutant, Feb 1917. Later T/Major & A/Lt-Col in RE. DSO (London Gazette 3-6-19).

 

Military Cross (MC)

Lt J W LLOYD DAVIES - Commanded No 3 section. For general good work, Maltz Horn Farm and Arrowhead Copse, Somme July 1916. Later Major, commanding officer.

Capt R K UHTHOFF - Joined No 1 section August 1916. Wounded 5-9-1917.

Lt Geoffrey W COLCHESTER - Shelford. Joined March 1915 from Border Rgt. Commanded No 1 section. Awarded for general good work, Maltz Horn Farm & Arrowhead Copse, Somme July 1916. Wounded August 1916.

Lt M G TATE - Joined November 1917. For 1-6-1918, 35th Division attack on Aveluy Wood, Somme.

*Lt-Col Frederick SUMMERS - Joined 203rd FC on formation in March 1915 from Cambridge University OTC. Lt, commanded No 2 section, 1916. Transferred CRE's staff as adjutant, Feb 1917. Later T/Major & A/Lt-Col in RE. DSO (London Gazette 3-6-19).T/Major & A/Lt-Col in RE.

 

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

103532 Cpl (Acting-Sgt) E HALEY, 203rd Field Coy RE. (Witney,Oxon) He has consistently displayed great coolness and contempt of danger from shell fire during the period May, 1916, to September, 1918. His gallantry and inspiring example to those round him have been conspicuous when working under heavy fire. He is an invaluable non-commissioned officer and leader of men. (London Gazette 3-9-19).

 

Military Medal (MM)

Spr W ALLPRESS - No 4 section, for 18-7-1916, Maricourt.

L/Cpl W H HANSFORD - No 2 section, for work in raid when handling bangalore torpedo, Jan 1918, Holthurst Forest.

84459 L/Cpl Reginald 'Nobby' CLARK - No 2 section, 1-6-1918, attack on Aveluy Wood. Son of Walter John & Sarah Ann Clark, Cambridge. Killed in action 7-7-1918, age 22. Buried Varennes Military Cemetery, Somme, France.

Spr E G COCKIN - No 2 section, 1-6-1918, attack on Aveluy Wood.

488430 Pnr John PRITCHARD - No 2 section, 1-6-1918, attack on Aveluy Wood. Died of wounds 12-6-1918. Ingetre, Staffs. Buried St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France.

Spr A E MARSHALL - No 2 section, 1-6-1918, attack on Aveluy Wood.

L/Cpl P PERRIN - No 2 section, 1-6-1918, attack on Aveluy Wood.

84464 Spr Basil Richard GALE - No 2 section, 1-6-1918, attack on Aveluy Wood. Son of Charles Henry & Maria Sophia Gale, 12 Victoria Terrace, Horns Lane, Norwich. Killed in action 7-6-1918, age 21. Buried Varennes Military Cemetery, Some, France.

Spr E SWAIN - No 2 section, 1-6-1918, attack on Aveluy Wood.

95597 Acting 2nd Cpl Albert WEBSTER - No 2 section, 1-6-1918, attack on Aveluy Wood. Killed in action 7-6-1918. Buried Varennes Military Cemetery, Somme, France.

Spr Albert John CHILD - 13 Auckland Rd, Cambridge. No 2 section, 1-6-1918, attack on Aveluy Wood.

Pnr C T WILSON - No 3 section, for work during operations at Westoutre (Kemmel Hill sector), July 1918. Albert Cottages, Duxford.

Acting 2nd Cpl T PALMER - No 3 section, for work during operations at Westoutre (Kemmel Hill sector), July 1918.

 

Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)

CSM Charles James FULLER - Blinco Grove, Cambridge. Awarded June 1918.

Acting-CSM J H MARTIN - Fen Ditton. Awarded June 1918.

Sgt H W NOYLE. Awarded June 1918. 6 Norfolk St, Cambridge.

 

Mentioned in Despatches (MiD)

*Lt-Col J H LANGTON, DSO. (London Gazette Jan 1918)

84297 Sgt Charles William PAVELY - 161 Gwydir St, Cambridge. No 2 section, Aveluy Wood, 1-6-1918.

Sgt Fred BACCUS, (later 2nd Lt, Gazette 1917) - Histon. MID Jan 1917 for Somme. Awarded French Legion D'Honneur serving as 2nd Lt in Pioneer Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers.

 

Mentions in 35th Divisional Routine Orders

84297 Sgt Charles William PAVELY - 161 Gwydir St, Cambridge. No 2 section, Aveluy Wood, 1-6-1918

212971 Spr Edward HULM - No 2 section. Husband of Gertrude Mary Hulm, 8 Elton St, Bedford Rd, Walton, Liverpool. Killed in action 1-6-1918, age 38. Buried Martinsart British Cemetery, Somme, France.

Spr Albert John CHILD - 13 Auckland St, Cambridge. No 2 section.

Acting-Cpl P H PECK. 1 Garden Cottages, Willow Place, Cambridge.

 

Belgian Croix de Guerre

Acting-Cpl P H PECK - for good work, Gazette 5-12-1918. 1 Garden Cottages, Willow Place, Cambridge.

2nd Cpl A G SKINNER - transport section, for good work, Gazette 5-12-1918. Common Lane, Sawston.

 

Croix de Guerre A L'Orde Regiment

2nd Cpl A C BIGGS - for good work, Gazette 5-12-1918.

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Last Updated on: 4 June 2001
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