Exceptional DSO, MC, Boer War, WW1 group of 13, Imperial Yeomany, 19th Hussars and Grenadier Guards. The one armed C.O of No 2 Company at the Somme. Lost his arm as a result of his horse rolling on him at Zeerust whilst dispatch rider for Colonel Paget, commd. into the 19th Hussars during the Boer War before transf. to the Guards due to lack of front line service as a one armed cavalryman

D.S.O. (GV), M.C. (GV), Q.S.A.  3 clasps, C.C., O.F.S., Tr., (Tpr. 51st. Coy. 19th Imp.Yeo.) (paget’s Horse), K.S.A. 2 clasps (Lieut. 19th. Husrs.),  1914 Star. (Capt. 19th. Husrs.),  B.W.M., Victory (MID), (Capt.), 1939/45 Star, Defence & War Medals, 1911 Coronation, 1937 Coronation, 1953 Coronation.

Major E. Sheppard.

D.S.O. L.G. 14/1/1917 (Somme action of 25 September, attack on and capture of Lesbeoufs),

‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his men to their objective with the greatest courage and initiative. later his left flank being unprotected, he threw back a defensive flank and got in touch with the troops on his left.’

M.C. L.G. 14/1/1916, Captain 19th Hussars

Mentioned in Despatches 3 times, L.G. 27/5/1915,  1/1/1916, 4/1/1917.

Enlisted as Private in the Imperial Yeomanry in January, 1900.Aged 21.  Stated as a ‘Gentleman’ of Hornsey, London. His service papers state previous service with the Nilgiri Vol. Rifles. and 2. Lieut. in the East Kent Militia in 1898 until invalided due to a hunting injury.

On  field duty, August 27, 1900 at Zeerust whilst carrying dispatches for Colonel Paget to Major Paget and at a gallop his horse fell and rolled on him causing him spinal injuries and the ensuing loss of his arm. Had previously seen service and Elands River and Buffalo Hoek. Discharged in February 1901 he was offered  a commission with the 19th Hussars, 27/7/1901.

Transferred to the Grenadier Guards, 5/1/1916, commenting the Army had little use for a one armed cavalryman.

Commanded No. 2 Company. 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards, at the Somme

The consolidation of Ginchy and the two attacks culminating in the capture of Lesboeufs came at a huge price for the 1st Guards with 16 officers and 595 other ranks, killed, wounded and missing.

From the history of the Grenadier Guards 1914-18 (Ponsonby)

‘The first two objectives had been taken by the Battalions in front, and the moment had arrived for the 1st Battalion Grenadiers, to which had been entrusted the attack on the third objective and the capture of Lesbœufs, to pass through the front line and continue the advance. It was faced with the usual problem in such attacks—how to guard the flanks of a successful attacking force when the neighbouring division is held up. In this case it was the left flank which remained in the air, and although the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards was forming a protective flank, the 1st Battalion Grenadiers was subjected to a cruel enfilade fire. Simultaneously on the right the leading battalion of the 1st Guards Brigade was advancing towards the third objective.

The order in which the 1st Battalion attacked was now slightly changed: the King’s Company under Captain Drury-Lowe was still on the right, but No. 2 came under Captain Sheppard next, with No. 4 under Lieutenant Lawford in support. No. 3 Company under Lieutenant Swift was nearest to the enfilade fire, and found it necessary to swing to the left, in order to face the machine-guns which were causing so many casualties. Both Lieutenant Swift and Lieutenant Harvard, the only two officers with this company, were wounded, in addition to Lieutenant Flower, and the casualties among other ranks were very heavy.

With the forward progress of the Battalion the menace to the left flank increased, and Captain Sheppard threw back his left flank to protect the advance, but this naturally made it difficult for him to keep pace with the King’s Company. No. 4 Company under Lieutenant Lawford was therefore ordered to come up between the King’s and No. 2 Companies, and the advance continued in perfect lines, never hesitating for a moment in the face of a terrific fire. Lieutenant Healy was wounded, and Sergeant Brooks, who led No. 14 Platoon, behaved with great coolness and gallantry, although all his men but two were killed or wounded. He himself was not touched in the morning, but later in the afternoon had his right hand and wrist blown off by a shell. Sergeant Martin, who was in charge of a Lewis gun, had all his team knocked 126out, but borrowed some men from No. 2 Company, and kept his gun in action for the rest of the day. He was afterwards awarded the D.C.M.

As the King’s Company advanced and took the third objective, its Commander, Captain Drury-Lowe, was killed by a shell, while he was consulting Captain Hargreaves of the Irish Guards. He had already gained the D.S.O. in the artillery battery, in which he had fought all through the first years of the war, and would no doubt have earned further distinction had he lived, for he was a man without fear and a worthy commander of the King’s Company. Lieutenant P. M. Spence took command, and directly the Blue line had been secured, ordered the men to dig themselves in, which they did, in a narrow and deep trench.

In order to protect the left flank. General Corkran sent up two companies of the Welsh Guards to watch the left of the Division, and as soon as these arrived No. 3 Company of the 1st Battalion Grenadiers under Lieutenant Pauling, who had been sent up to take charge of this Company, now without officers, was once more free to join the rest of the Battalion. When it reached the front line it was ordered to form a strong point 400 yards in front of the junction of No. 2 and No. 4 Companies. Strong patrols were sent out to deal with any of the enemy’s snipers who might still be lurking about in front, and they continued their search well into the night. One patrol under Sergeant Carter did particularly well, and managed to secure a German map showing all their dispositions. Application was 127made that evening to the Guards Division Headquarters for the cavalry to come through, but this was refused on reference to Lord Cavan, on the ground that the situation on the flanks of the Division was still very uncertain.

Sept. 26.
On the 26th the Germans shelled Lesbœufs with their heavy guns, but the trenches that had been dug were good and little harm was done. No counter-attack was made by the enemy, and that night the 1st Battalion Grenadiers was relieved by the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, and returned to bivouacs at Carnoy.

The total casualties in the 1st Battalion during the consolidation of Ginchy and the two attacks were: officers, killed 4, wounded 12, total 16; other ranks, killed 80, wounded 431, missing 84, total 595.

Major Sheppard died in 1963 aged 85 . His obituary was written by Major General Sir Allan Adair

‘When I joined the Grenadiers at Chelsea Barracks in 1916, Edgar Sheppard was my first Company Commander. He had transferred from the 19th  Royal Hussars, had lost an arm in the South African War, and had later been awarded the D.S.O. and M.C. for gallant conduct. He was a splendid and inspiring leader, admired and beloved by us all. His wound gave him constant pain – indeed we subalterns sometimes found it trying when after a late night, we would have to endure his puffing a cigar in our faces at 8.30 a.m.

After numerous operations , he had to retire on account of health in 1921, but no medical boards could stop him serving again in 1939. Although years over age, he was given command of unit guarding vulnerable points around London.’

With research, two original letters from Major Sheppard’ son regarding his father written in the 1980’s and two good copy photos in uniform and a group officers photo.

Reverse of carriages on QSA pair set converted cavalry style.

Exceptional recipient