machineguncorps

Probate records states: LIGHT Eric of Redcot Linton-road Hastings died on or since 26 March 1918 in France. Administration Lewes 20 April 1920 to Reginald Hough Light gentleman. Effects £196 17s 8d while the British Commonwealth War Graves Register states: LIGHT, 2nd Lt Eric "B" Coy, 40th Bn. Machine Gun Corps (Inf) 26th March 1918. Age 20. Son Lt Col R H Light (Indian Army, retired) and Mrs R H Light, of Redcot, Linton Road, Hastings

Familysearch has the following: name:Eric Light gender:Male baptism/christening date:04 Jul 1897 baptism/christening place:Bhuj, Bombay, India birth date:03 Jun 1897 birthplace: death date: name note: race: father's name:Reginald Hough Light father's birthplace: father's age: mother's name:Maud Mary mother's birthplace: mother's age: indexing project (batch) number:C99916-5 system origin:India-EASy source film number:523879 reference number:

Again I am grateful to Mr Graham Sacker, custodian of the Machine Gun Corps historical archive who provided the following detail on Eric Light. Monkton Combe School Register (1868-1964): Eric Light b 1897, 1st XI 13-14-15, Hockey XI 13-14, 1st XV 1913, Shooting VIII. Gt War - 2Lt MGC, w.front 1917-18. Kia. Lt Light was educated at Monkton Combe School, near Bath and at Hertford College, Oxford. He enlisted with No 4 Officers Cadet Battalion at Oxford on 11 July 1916 while the Battle of the Somme was in progress on the Western Front. He received his commission and was posted to the Western Front with 188 Company, Machine Gun Corps on 4 July 1917, joining the Company in the field on 21/7/1917. He fought in the Battle of Passchendaele and was wounded on 14 November 1917. On returning to active service, he joined 120 Company, Machine Gun Corps and fought in the action at Bullecourt on 25 February 1918. He was reported missing, aged 20, at Gommecourt during the Allied retreat on the night of 26 March 1918 whilst serving with the 40th Battalion MGC. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery. Other memorials which bear his name include those at Monkton Combe School near Bath, Alexandra Park at Hastings, Sussex and St Mary-in-the Castle Church also at Hastings. Eric Light was the brother of Hilton Light (Lt.Col. IA).//

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Reginald Henry Napier Settle was one of 3 Gentlemen Cadets Commissioned into the 19th Hussars from the Royal Military College on 3rd September 1910. He was Gazetted with the award of the Military Cross as a Captain on 2nd June 1916. He was awarded his DSO as a Captain (Temporary Major) in the New Year Honours of 1 January 1918. 21st Battalion Machine Gun Corps was formed on 24th February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 21st Division.//

Help piece together the Life Stories of more than 8 million men and women who made a contribution during the First World War at www.livesofthefirstworldwar.org/

www.awm.gov.au/people/551.asp

Portrait photo of Dwyer

He's my great grand father. What a legend!

Paul Hutchins Definitely a legend. If you have any info, photos - or even family anecdotes - it would be great to see them. Thanks.

Help piece together the Life Stories of more than 8 million men and women who made a contribution during the First World War at www.livesofthefirstworldwar.org/