Four: Captain P. S. Hore, 52nd Sikhs, formerly South Wales Borderers, killed in action at Neuve Chapelle, 12 March 1915, and posthumously M.I.D.

1914-15 Star (Capt., 52/Sikhs); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt.); Delhi Durbar 1903, with integral ribbon buckle, this with some edge bruising, together with memorial plaque (P. S. Hore), all contained in a contemporary oak glazed display case, generally nearly extremely fine (5) £450-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars.

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M.I.D. London Gazette 31 May 1915.

Percy Standish Hore was born at St Asaph on 10 August 1881, and educated at Wellington College. He was gazetted to the South Wales Borderers in January 1901, from the Militia, with which he served during embodiment for nearly ten months. He was transferred, as Lieutenant, to the Indian Army in May 1904, and was promoted Captain in January 1910. During the Durbar of 1903 he acted as Adjutant to the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers.

Captain Standish was killed in action on 12 March 1915, the third day of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, whilst serving with the 52nd Sikhs, attached 59th Rifles. He is buried at Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L’Avouep, France. There is also a memorial to him St John’s Evangelist Church, Taunton, Somerset.

The following is extracted from a letter written by a brother officer, and published in The Bond of Sacrifice, Volume II: ‘His death was splendid, and it gave me very great pleasure to see his services were recognised by a mention in despatches. I have often talked to men, both of the 52nd and 59th, who were there when he was killed, and you cannot imagine with what enthusiasm they speak of his gallantry and devotion to duty that fated day. In fact all through those last three days his example and gallantry did a very great deal towards keeping the regiment together and keeping up their spirits in a very trying situation. And so it was when he was the 59th in the fighting near Givenchy in December. I think it was his work then, in a very similar and trying situation, that earned him his mention in despatches.’