Lot 2077

Description

Military Cross (GRI) with Bar, with pin-back suspender. 45th Bn/Captain Harold Howden/Pozieres, Aug. 6th 1916./A.I.F. Engraved. Ribbon damaged, medal nicely toned good very fine.

Together with original medal case, this with some damage; ribbon strip with rosette attached; pin-back riband with rosette attached.

Entitled to 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19, also a Memorial Plaque, these all sent to his mother.

MC: LG 14/11/1916, p11074; CAG 19/4/1917, p921, to Captain Harold Charles Howden, 45Bn.

Recommendation: Captain Harold Charles Howden took over on the night of the 5th August 1916 an isolated position of the front line during a heavy hostile artillery bombardment; being warned by the officer whom he relieved that he could expect a counter-attack at daylight he immediately set to work to strengthen his position and when the counter-attack took place on the morning of the 6th, was successful in repulsing it. Owing to his thorough consolidation that portion of the line, notwithstanding an incessant bombardment, was successfully held.

Bar to MC: LG 26/4/1917, p3934; CAG 21/8/1917, p1784, to Captain Harold Charles Howden, 45Bn.

Recommendation: For gallantry and devotion to duty in organising and carrying out two attacks on an enemy's Strong Point and trenches at Guedecourt on the morning of 21/2/17 and night of 22/23 February. Owing to the abnormal wet state of the trenches, these attacks were carried out under great difficulty and the success of both attacks was largely due to Captain Howden's organizing ability and attention to details. On both occasions immediately the trenches were captured Captain Howden took charge and organized their defence. As the result of both operations nearly 500 yards of enemy's trenches were captured and held and 60 prisoners taken.

Harold Charles Howden, dental demonstrator, age 24, born at Preston, Vic; Enl.22Dec1914, at Liverpool, NSW, in 3rd Reinf 18Bn, with previous service of one year in Victorian Scottish Regt; Emb.11Feb1915; Proceeded to join M.E.F. Gallipoli 13Apr1915; To Cpl 03May1915; WIA 10Jun1915 at Gallipoli; to 2/Lt 21Aug1915; to Lt 20Jan1916; to Captain 12Mar1916; TOS 45Bn 03Mar1916; completed Senior Officers Course at Aldershot 23Dec1916 and rated to be an officer of exceptional ability; to Major 13Feb1917; to hospital with 'trench feet' 19Mar1917; TOS 63Bn 27Apr1917; TOS 48Bn as Senior Major 04May1917; WIA and Died of Wounds 05Jul1917 at Belgium and buried at Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck near Armentieres.