Medal & Mortality index
The Military Cross was instituted as a Decoration on December 28th, 1914, to
reward Distinguished Services rendered by Officers of certain ranks in the army
in time of war. Bars may be added for additional acts of gallantry. Since August
1st, 1918, it has, like the D.S.O., been awarded for "services in action" only.
University of London Officers Training Corps index
- former cadet.
Ashdown, Capt. Arthur James, R.F.A. : King's College ? invalid : M.C. with bar.
ASHDOWN, 2ND Lt. (Temp. Lt.) Arthur James, R.F.A. (S.R.), attd. 45th T.M.By. ?
For conspicuous gallantry when commanding a detached section of trench mortars.
He remained under heavy fire for four hours in a very exposed position, from
which our infantry had been withdrawn, and never slackened his fire. When his
own section had completed its task, he went to assist other sections. This is
not the first time his name has been brought forward for cool bravery. —
Gazette, 15 March 1916.
Bar. For conspicuous gallantry in action. He followed the infantry in the
assault and got a trench mortar into action in the enemy's front fine trench.
Finally, though badly wounded in the head, he brought the detachment back under
heavy machine gun fire. — Gazette, 8 September 191 6.