Certificate of Discharge (AF D.426), Corporal Isaac Lodge VC, 28 December 1909

Isaac Lodge was born at Great Canfield in Essex on 6 May 1866. He enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1888 and transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery in February 1889.

On 31 March 1900 British troops were ambushed on their march to Bloemfontein by Boer commandos. Under heavy fire, 'Q' Battery Royal Horse Artillery managed to rescue all but one of their guns. Every man in the battery showed considerable bravery and under Rule 13 of the Victoria Cross Warrant, four officers and men were nominated by their fellows for the award. Isaac Lodge, then a gunner, was elected, together with his commanding officer, Major Edmund Phipps-Hornby, Sergeant Charles Parker and Driver Horace Glasock. Lodge was decorated by Lord Roberts in Pretoria that October.

He was promoted to the rank of corporal in 1903 and after six more years with the colours he was discharged. He later worked as a Keeper in the Royal Parks and died in a London hospital in June 1923.

From a collection of documents related to 70062 Cpl Isaac Lodge VC, Royal Horse Artillery.