I thought maybe this would be of interest ..........
The Suicide Club 1915-1922
The Machine Gun Corps was formed in October 1915 as the concept of “Brigading” Infantry machine gun units into a combined military organization finally dawned upon the Army High Command.
The terrible power of the machine gun had not been fully appreciated in the higher echelons, despite the lessons of Omdurman in 1896, in South Africa 1900 and during the Russo-Japanese War 1904-05. Following on from the end of the war of movement early in 1915 it soon became apparent that it was the machine gun which ruled the battlefield, being able to inflict devastating losses on any force rash enough to raise its head above the parapets.
If any doubt remained, the losses suffered by British infantry on the 1st July 1916 would emphasize the stark realities. The role of the newly-formed Machine Gun Corps in the field was now plain. They, and they alone, would provide cover for new units moving into the front line, give constant covering and battery fire whilst in the line to prevent the unopposed build-up of enemy units, would go forward with or in advance of any assaults on enemy positions, and would remain to the last if a retreat became inevitable.
The “first-in - last-out” philosophy soon led to the Corps being dubbed “The Suicide Club” and with good reason. Over 16,000 officers and men died and three times that number were wounded. Over 8,000 gallantry awards were made to members of the Corps - including 6 V.C.s 778 D.C.M.s about 1,000 M.C.s and 3,000 M.M.s.
By the end of the War approximately 190,000 officers and men had become part of one of the largest organisations within the British Army, serving in over 70 battalions in every theatre of the conflict. Service in Mesopotamia and on the North-West Frontier of India after the Armistice brought more Medallic awards, prior to disbandment in 1922.
In its short life the Corps had made an indelible mark in the annals of British military history and established an esprit-de-corps that lasted through the decades until the last of those genuine old heroes faded away. Their memory is perpetuated to this day by the Old Comrades Association at annual observance at the Corps Memorial - The Boy David statue at Hyde Park Corner. Its biblical inscription reads:
“Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten thousands”
The Boy David Memorial to the Machine Gun Corps in London. The Vickers Guns on each side of the Boy David (which each have a laurel wreath laid over them)
http://www.aviewoncities.com/gallery/showpicture.htm?key=kveen1161&dir=statues&tpe=cat