Military Cross awarded to Second Lieutenant Rupert Hallowes, 4th Battalion The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment), 1915

Silver cross with obverse decorated with imperial crowns and royal cypher for King George V in the centre, with white and purple ribbon.

On 19-20 July 1915, during the Battle of Hooge, Hallowes' unit was serving with the 3rd Division when he was awarded the Military Cross (MC). 'The London Gazette' of 6 September 1915 described how:

'During an enemy attack down a communications trench there was a shortage of bombs. He climbed out of the trench exposing himself to fire at the enemy and hitting several of them. He also assisted in constructing a block, dug out a communications trench under heavy shell fire and rebuilt a parapet that had been blown in. Throughout the night he assisted in keeping touch and supplying bombs'.

Two months later Hallowes was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross (VC) following another series of actions at Hooge that occurred between 25 and 30 September 1915.

The Military Cross is a gallantry medal awarded for 'Awarded for an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land'. During World War One (1914-1918) the award was restricted to captains or officers of lower rank up to warrant officer.

From a medal group including the Victoria Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20 and Allied Victory Medal 1914-19.

Presented by the Trustees of the Middlesex Regimental Museum