Ernest George Horlock

Returned to his gun twice wounded under heavy fire at Aisne.

On 15 September 1914 near Vendresse, France, Bombardier Ernest George Horlock repeatedly returned to his gun while the 113th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, was under heavy shellfire. Wounded twice, he had each wound dressed and went back to lay the gun rather than leave his comrades. His determination during the Battle of the Aisne earned the Victoria Cross. He also suffered a third wound during the action.

Born at Beech Farm near Alton, Hampshire, on 24 October 1885, Horlock enlisted in February 1904 and served under the spelling Harlock. A regular artilleryman before the war, he landed in France with his battery on 16 August 1914. His Victoria Cross was announced in The London Gazette on 25 November 1914 and presented by King George V in France on 3 December. He was also mentioned in despatches in 1914.

Horlock rose to Battery Sergeant Major. He subsequently served with other Royal Field Artillery formations, including service at Salonika and at the base depot in Egypt. During leave in England he married Ethel May Hasted at Littlehampton on 13 October 1917.

Returning to Egypt aboard HMT Aragon, he was caught in the torpedo attack off Alexandria on 30 December 1917. Aragon sank, and the rescuing destroyer HMS Attack was also torpedoed. Horlock died that day, aged 32. His body was recovered and buried in Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, grave F.171.

His medal group comprises the Victoria Cross, 1914 Star with the 5 August–22 November 1914 clasp, British War Medal and Victory Medal with the bronze Mentioned in Despatches oak leaf. The campaign medals and clasp recognise his qualifying wartime service, including awards issued after his death. His widow later entrusted his Victoria Cross and associated artefacts to the Royal Artillery.

Official Victoria Cross citation, The London Gazette, 25 November 1914:

“For conspicuous gallantry on 15th September, near Vendresse, when his Battery was in action under a heavy shell fire, in that, although twice wounded, he persisted on each occasion in returning to lay his gun after his wound had been dressed.”