Military Cross, Captain Douglas Cutbush, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment), 1917

Silver cross with obverse decorated with imperial crowns and royal cypher for King George V in the centre; reverse inscribed with recipent's name and the date, 'Novr 15th 1916'; with white and purple ribbon.

Douglas Cutbush attended Tonbridge School in Kent. Initially judged medically unfit for military service, Cutbush worked with Belgian refugees in north London in 1914. He managed to gain a commission with the Special Reserve of the Duke of Cambridge's Own Middlesex Regiment in 1915 and went to France attached to a regular battalion in October 1915.

Cutbush was wounded near Armentieres in January 1916. After recuperating in hospital he returned to the Front. He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in November 1916 during an advance on Beaumont Hamel (recorded in the 'London Gazette', 3 March 1917). Cutbush took command of two companies that had lost most of their officers to heavy enemy fire. He consolidated an exposed position and having been ordered to withdraw, he oversaw the destruction of enemy trenches, before successfully leading his men back to British lines.

Douglas Cutbush was killed in action near Monchy during the Battle of Arras. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records his death in France, aged 21, on 10 April 1917. He is commemorated at the Level Crossing Cemetery at Fampoux.

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 awarded to Captain Douglas Cutbush, MC, The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment).