ERNEST JAMES HEMSLEY (on Plaque)
T/2nd Lieut: E.J.Hemsley, Royal Sussex Regt (on 39th Division Gallantry Card)
Ernest James Hemsley
Born Tonbridge Wells, Kent 1889
Son of Thomas Hemsley & Martha Hemsley (nee Field)
Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant 28/11/17 into 12th Royal Sussex Regt
To France 29/1/18 & transferred to 11th Royal Sussex Regt 8/2/18
During the German Spring Advance he was awarded a 39th Division Gallantry Card 'in appreciation of your great gallantry and devotion to duty, south of Vormezeele on 26/4/18'
Subsequently awarded the Military Cross (MC LG 16/9/18): 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon with great skill and dash under heavy machine-gun fire in a counter-attack, killing several of the enemy and taking several prisoners. His coolness and good leadership won the confidence of all ranks'
Note: His MC Citation appears to relate to the same action at Elzenwalle Chateau, Vormezeele on 26/4/18, for which the 11th Royal Sussex Regt War Diary records 'Very heavy enemy shelling. Bosch attack still held. Counter-attack made by 2 Platoons of the Battn who succeeded in retaking the BRASSERIE, capturing 2 prisoners & 2 Machine Guns and inflicting very heavy casualties on the enemy'
He was then attached 10th Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment), probably after 11th Royal Sussex Regt was reduced to a training establishment 23/5/18
KIA F&F 4/9/18 - the Battalion War Diary records 'At 5.30am on 4/9/18 the 10th Queen's attacked the enemy at Dickebusch & suffered 1 Officer & 12 O/Rs Killed, plus 2 Officers & 24 O/Rs wounded'
Buried Grootebeek British Cemetery, Belgium
His Officers Papers exist at TNA but we have not checked them Ref: WO 339/102608
With his original, named 39th DIVISION GALLANTRY CARD plus a Buckingham Palace Letter of Condolence, which is pasted to an old sheet of paper
Also with copy of his Medal Index Card, London Gazette MC Citation, SDGW & CWGC details, Battalion War Diary extracts etc
'WA' Woolwich Arsenal stamp on reverse of his plaque
Condition: GVF
Note: The MC Ribbon is for illustration purposes only
