- Arthur Estcourt
Arthur Charles Sotheron Estcourt MC (26 September 1893–18 August 1918) was a British soldier of the
First World War .Early life
The son of the Reverend E. W. S. Estcourt, of
Swindon ,Wiltshire , and a nephew ofGeorge Sotheron-Estcourt, 1st Baron Estcourt , Estcourt was educated atGresham's School , Holt, from 1907 to 1912 and atMagdalene College, Cambridge , from 1912 to 1913.Carey, Gordon Vero, "The War List of the University of Cambridge, 1914-1918" (Cambridge, 1920)] Lidell, Charles Lawrence Scruton & Douglas, A. B., "History and Register of Gresham's School, 1555-1955" (Ipswich, 1955)]His brother, Walter Bucknall Estcourt, served as an officer in the East Africa Corps.
Military career
Estcourt was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the New Armies on 17 November 1914, then as a temporary second lieutenant of the
Wiltshire Regiment and later of theGloucestershire Regiment .In September 1916 he was awarded the
Military Cross , the "London Gazette " report reading: [Supplement to the "London Gazette " dated 26 September 1916] cquote|Temp. 2nd Lt (Temp Lt) Arthur Charles Sotheron Estcourt. Glou. R. :- for Conspicuous Gallantry in action. He fought his battery with great effect under very heavy fire during the attack, dispersing many enemy bombing parties. He also knocked out a machine gun which was holding up the advance of one of our bombing parties.He was promoted Acting Captain in the Trench Mortar Battery on 16 February 1917. [Supplement to the "London Gazette" dated 5 April 1917, at page 3312: "The under mentioned to be acting Capts. Whilst commanding - Trench Mortar Batts: Temp 2nd Lt A.C. Estcourt 16th February 1917.] [Supplement to the "London Gazette" dated 10 December 1917, at page 12880: "The under mentioned relinquish the acting Rank of Capt.:- Temp 2nd Lt A.C.S. Estcourt, on ceasing to Command a trench mortar Batt 22nd Aug 1917.] He then became a Lieutenant (Observer) in the
Royal Air Force . [The "London Gazette" dated 2 July 1918 Page 7773: "The under mentioned 2nd Lts (Late Gen. List. R.F.C. on Prob) are confirmed in their rank as 2nd Lts, Observer Officers:- 11 June 1918: A.C. Estcourt, M.C. (Temp. 2nd Lt Gen. List new armies) 12 June 1918.] Twice wounded, he was killed in action on 8 August 1918. [Smart, Sue, "When Heroes Die" (Breedon Books, 2001) ISBN 1-85983-256-3]Notes
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