Royal Scots Greys

[Handy Andy]

Am trying to find information about my Grandfather, a S.S.M, who served in the Royal Scots Greys regiment of the 2nd Calvary Division during the 1st world war. I have his military sporting medals and documents signed by his commanding officer complimenting his distinguished work at Bourlon Wood in 1917 and 1918, but that's about it. In particular I am interested to find out if he returned from the war with his two horses, which according to family lore, he did.

Can anyone refer me to someone who could research such?

Thanks and regards

[Handy Andy]

Apologies, the name of my grandfather was Grosvenor Cecil Andrews

[AdrianB38]

Ancestry has his Medal Index Card, confirming him in the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys). His citation for the DCM is also in there under GC Andrews.

Unfortunately, I can't see anything else (even trying GC Andrews) so I presume his papers were in the 2/3 to 3/4 destroyed in WW2. Unless anyone knows anything else about cavalry, that's it for detail - my lot were all infantry or gunners, so I've never needed to look at cavalry yet.

[Handy Andy]

Many thanks Adrian. Interestingly enough he ended up as a Captain in the New Zealand army

[mrnz2014]

Hi Andy,

I just stumbled across you query albeit 10 years late as I use a pic of your grandfathers medals (attached) as a header on my website page - www.medalsreunitednz.co.nz Here is the write up that went with it: 

D.C.M. London Gazette 28 March 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Although knocked down by a shell he kept his platoon together during a critical situation when a relief was being carried out under heavy fire. He collected tools and weapons that had been cut off by a barrage and attended and arranged the evacuation of the wounded.’

Grosvenor Cecil Andrews was born in Kensington, London, on 13 July 1884, and Baptised 05 Oct 1884.  He enlisted into the 2nd Dragoons in 1902 and for the greater part of his life was with the Royal Scots Greys which he was 5 times recommended for decorations and was awarded the D.C.M. and mentioned in dispatches. 

100834 Private G.C. Andrews, Royal Scots Greys served in Scotland then later in Egypt, Palestine and the North West Frontier of India.  By the outbreak of war in 1914 had attained the rank of Sergeant. Sgt. Andrews is credited with being the first British Soldier to fire at the enemy and secure the first kill, the incident happening on the morning of August 22, 1914.  He was awarded one of only 17 D.C.M.’s gained by the RSG regiment during the war, by the end of which he was a Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM). He was serving at Risalpur, North West Frontier province, India, when he applied to join the New Zealand Military Forces (NZMF). He was, at the time of his discharge on 07 May 1924, the Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (RQMS) of the Royal Scots Greys Regiment.

A testimonial written on 28 May 1924 by his former Commanding Officer states:

‘I have known RQMS G. C. Andrews, Royal Scots Greys, for 20 years during which time he has been in the Royal Scots Greys. He is a very high class W.O., most capable in every way, and thoroughly to be relied on. Honest, sober, conscientious, very hard working, with a very pleasant manner. He is most adaptable and I consider would fill any position of trust in civil life most satisfactorily. During the War he was Squadron Sergeant Major and on every occasion proved himself to be a man of great initiative, always cheerful, and never failed to do his duty no matter how trying the circumstances.’

800134 S/SGT GC Andrews NZ Artillery, NZPS, NZ Military Forces

S/SGT Andrews emigrated to New Zealand with his family in 1924, and was appointed as Staff Sergeant to the N.Z. Permanent Staff with effect from 9 June 1924. During August 1933 he was posted from the appointment of Mounted Rifles Instructor in Auckland to be Regimental Sergeant-Major of the North Auckland Mounted Rifles. In November 1939 he was sent temporarily to the Mobilisation Camp at Ngaruawahia, working long hours getting the men ready for overseas deployment. He was appointed to a temporary Quartermaster’s commission on 21 May 1940, and took up the duty of Assistant Area Officer, serving subsequently at various military camps. Appointed Assistant Area Staff Officer, Area 3, in December 1943, Andrews held that appointment until he became Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, The Auckland Regiment (the Countess of Ranfurly’s Own) on 14 August 1944. He was later appointed Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, The North Auckland Regiment, but relinquished that appointment on 5 January 1946, when he was posted to the Retired List with the rank of Captain and Quartermaster. Captain Andrews was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) on 30 January 1946 (Authority NZAL No. 33) and received it at a presentation during a parade of the Whangerei High School Cadet Battalion in March 1946. He was nearly sixty-two years old at the time of his award.

He was nearly sixty-two years old at the time of his award.  Employment in subsequent years is taken from NZ Auckland Electoral Rolls: 1949 - Soldier (poss retired 1950 at age 65, mandatory retiring age?); 1954 – Retired at 10 Powhiri Ave, Grey Lynn; 1957 - Company Secretary.

CAPT GC Andrews, DCM, MSM died 08 Feb 1961 at Whangarei, Northland aged 76yrs; buried on 10 Feb 1961 at Manu Cemetery Whangarei, Northland.
Home Address: 10 Powhiri, Avenue, Kensington, Whangarei

Mil service of Son:  Cecil Grosvenor Andrews
B: 05Nov1910    Occ:  Electrical Engr   Age: 19yrs 3mths
School - Senior Cadets:  1924-1928 - 4 yrs a SGT
Address: 4 Baildon Rd, Grey Lynn, AUCKLAND
Enlisted on Probation as Gunner: 25 Feb 1930 at Trentham, WGTN - RNZArtillery, NZ Permanent Military Forces
Description: 1553 GNR C.G. Andrews RNZA - NZPF
Promotion: Aug 1928-CPL, Feb 1929-L/SGT, Dec 1929-SGT
Disch: 22 Jun 1930  Reason: Staff reduction due to financial constraints placed on NZPMF


Grosvenor Cecil Andrews
Birth   13/07/1884 at 10 Radcot Street, Kennington Surrey England
Brother      Walter Herbert Andrews (1889-1978) m Edith Maud RIGGS
Marriage   23/12/1909 at Tottenham Middlesex England  (23 Dec, my birthday!)
Residence   1938 Northland New Zealand
Death   1961 Whangarei Whangarei Northland New Zealand
Record information.
Father   Cecil Grosvenor Andrews (1857-1920) buried Purewa Cem, Northland NZ
Mother   Hannah Makemson (1860-1950) fm Cockermouth, Cumberland
Spouse   Robina Glen (Born 1885-1952) fm Glasgow
Children    3 sons?