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Auction: 11010 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 74

A Scarce Great War Army M.S.M. For Gallantry Group of Six to Sergeant H. Riddlesworth, Cheshire Regiment, For Saving Life at Sea, When the Troopship Aragon Was Torpedoed By German U-boats off Alexandria, 30.12.1917 1914-15 Star (1543 Pte. H. Riddlesworth, Ches. R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaves (1543 Pte. H. Riddlesworth. Ches. R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st ´Field Marshal´s bust´ type (50184 Pte. H. Riddlesworth. 1/4 Ches: R.); Territorial Effiency Medal, G.V.R. (4116050 Pte. H. Riddlesworth. 7-Ches. R.); Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., with ´Territorial´ scroll suspension (4116050 Sjt. H. Riddlesworth. 7-Ches. R.), slightly worn throughout, therefore nearly very fine or better, with the following contemporary related items: - M.I.D. Certificate, dated 6.9.1918 - Letter of Congratulation to recipient from Officer Commanding Troops, H.M.S. Aragon, dated 13.1.1918 - Portrait photograph of recipient in uniform - laminated article from the Daily Mail, dated 7.2.1918, recording and illustrating the final moments of H.M.S. Aragon; and a comprehensive file of research (lot) Estimate £ 500-700 M.S.M. London Gazette 25.4.1918 50184 Pte. H. Riddlesworth, Ches. R. (Macclesfield). M.I.D. London Gazette 6.9.1918 50184 Pte. H. Riddlesworth, Cheshire Regiment 4116050 Sergeant Horace Riddlesworth (1894-1971), born Macclesfield, Cheshire; educated at Daybrook Street School and subsequently employed as an apprentice cabinet maker; enlisted Cheshire Regiment (T.A.), 1913; served during the Great War with the Regiment in the Gallipoli theatre of War, from 8.8.1915, including taking part in the Suvla Bay Landings; evacuated from Gallipoli he served in the French theatre of War, where he was gassed; having recuperated he was posted to fight the Turks in Palestine; he embarked upon the troopship Aragon with approximately 2,500 other soldiers travelling to Egypt; he was travelling with her when she came under torpedo attack from German U-boats, 30.12.1917; she was sunk 11 miles off Alexandria, 10 officers and 581 men were drowned plus 15 crew including the Captain; Riddlesworth was picked up by the destroyer H.M.S. Attack and immediately proceeded to attempt the rescue of drowning men; his Commanding Officer states the following in a letter to him, ´I forwarded your name as worthy of special recognition on the occasion of the loss of the Aragon when it was reported to me that you several times dived off the destroyer to help exhausted men. I am glad to be able to tell you that higher authority has conferred the Meritorious Service Medal on you for your action on that occasion´; Riddlesworth had to save himself once more when the Attack was also sunk by torpedo; he was disembodied May 1919 (T.E.M. 1921; E.M. 1935); in civilian life he returned to his trade and became a joiner. 1 of 3 M.S.M.s for Gallantry to the Regiment, and a rare Army Award for gallantry at Sea.

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