Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘First Day of the 3rd Battle of Ypres’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain T. A. Tatton, 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. T. A. Tatton. Rif. Brig.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. T. A. Tatton.); Defence Medal; Special Constabulary Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (A.O. Thomas A. Tatton.) mounted court-style for display on modern ribands, nearly extremely fine (6) £1,000-£1,400

Rifle Brigade Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, March 2002.

M.C. London Gazette 26 September 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an advance he led his company with the utmost gallantry against the obstinate resistance of the enemy, and it was due to his personal example that his company advanced as far as it did. During the next 48 hours he kept up the spirits of his men by his splendid cheerfulness and coolness under exceptionally trying conditions.’

Thomas Arthur Tatton was educated at Eton and University College, Oxford, from where he obtained a regular commission in the Rifle Brigade as a University Candidate, 26 August 1914 [with effect from 2 September 1913]. He was attached to the 1st Battalion for six weeks training in the summer of 1913 and to the 5th (Special Reserve) Battalion in 1914 until the 4th Battalion arrived home from India in November when he joined their “D” Company and crossed to France 19 December 1914. He took part in the action of St. Eloi when his company captured “Rifle Brigade Trench” and his company commander, Captain Mostyn Pryce was killed.

Tatton was wounded in the head during desperate fighting at Frezenberg Ridge on 9 May 1915 during the 2nd Battle of Ypres. He convalesced in hospital at his own home Cuerden Hall, Preston (a splendid country house, now a Sue Ryder home). Promoted Captain on 2 March 1916 he was attached to the 13th (Service) Bantam Battalion Cameronians in the U.K. before joining the 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade in France on 30 October 1916, as Officer Commanding “B” Company. He was brought to notice for gallantry in the Battle of Messines in June 1917 and awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry on the first day of Third Battle of Ypres, 31 July 1917, when the battalion attacked Shrewsbury Forest, near the Menin Road.

Captain Tatton left the 3rd Battalion on 9 March 1918 for six months tour of duty in UK. He went out to India with the 4th Battalion in 1919, commanding “D” Company, and served at Chaman on the Afghan border. A member of the battalion polo team, he resigned his commission in 1921. During the Second World War he was an Area Officer in the Special Constabulary.

Sold with copied research including a photographic image of the recipient.