H A Lempiere DSO


Lieutenant-Colonel Lempiere commanded the regiment when they went to the Western Front from India. He was the first officer of the regiment to be killed in World War 1, on 21st Dec 1914. He had been ordered to take 3 dismounted squadrons to mount a counter-attack to recover trenches lost between Festubert and Givenchy. They were held up because of RA fire still pouring onto their objective. Col Lampiere and his adjutant went forward to recce the trenches but on returning they were fired on by German rifle fire and he was hit in the spine. The Colonel was carried back but the regiment was under fire and he had to wait on his stretcher with Private Crackett until it was safe to proceed. It was a dangerous place to be and Crackett was awarded a DCM for devotion to duty. Col Lempiere was dying, however, and did not survive beyond that day.


Commanding Officers | Regimental details


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