Isaac Lodge VC

b. 06/05/1866 Great Canfield, Essex. d. 18/06/1923 Hyde Park, London.

Isaac Lodge (1866-1923) was born on 6th May 1866 in Great Canfield, near Dunmow, Essex, the son of Elijah and Rhoda Lodge. He was educated until the age of 11 at Great Canfield School, before he set out into the world of work. He began working on a dairy farm, and then did various other jobs before becoming a gamekeeper in charge of two woods. Isaac, though, had his heart set on a career in the Army, and on 29th December 1888, he enlisted at the Royal Garrison Artillery at Warley Barracks. He was soon transferred into the Royal Horse Artillery and joined a service battery in St John’s Wood, London.

Isaac Lodge VC

He was soon posted to India with “B” Battery, and served in Rawalpindi for two years. He then transferred into “Q” Battery, and served with them in India, Ireland, Newbridge Barracks, and Aldershot, before they were posted to the South African War which had broken out in 1899.

Isaac’s Battery was involved in the actions at Dreifontein and Bloemfontein, though it was at Korn Spruit, Sanna’s Post that his gallantry would see him awarded the Victoria Cross (London Gazette, 26th June 1900).

On the occasion of the action at Korn Spruit on the 31st March, 1900, a British force, including two batteries of the Royal Horse Artillery, was retiring from Thabanchu towards Bloemfontein. The enemy had formed an ambush at Korn Spruit, and before their presence was discovered by the main body had captured the greater portion of the baggage column and five out of the six guns of the leading battery. When the alarm was given Q Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, was within 300 yards of the Spruit. Major Phipps-Hornby, who commanded it, at once wheeled about and moved off at a gallop under a very heavy fire. One gun upset when a wheel horse was shot, and had to be abandoned, together with a waggon, the horses of which were killed. The remainder of the battery reached a position close to some unfinished railway buildings and came into action 1,150 yards from the Spruit, remaining in action until ordered to retire. When the order to retire was received Major Phipps-Hornby ordered the guns and their limbers to be run back by hand to where the teams of uninjured horses stood behind the unfinished buildings. The few remaining gunners, assisted by a number of Officers and men of a party of Mounted Infantry, and directed by Major Phipps-Hornby and Captain Humphreys, the only remaining Officers of the battery, succeeded in running back four of the guns under shelter. One or two of the limbers were similarly withdrawn by hand, but the work was most severe and the distance considerable. In consequence all concerned were so exhausted that they were unable to drag in the remaining limbers or the fifth gun. It now became necessary to risk the horses, and volunteers were called for from among the drivers, who readily responded. Several horses were killed and men wounded, but at length only one gun and one limber were left exposed. Four separate attempts were made to rescue these, but when no more hordes were available the attempt had to be given up and the gun and limber were abandoned. Meanwhile the other guns had been sent on, one at a time, and after passing within 700 or 800 yards of the enemy, in rounding the head of a donga and crossing two spruits they eventually reached a place of safety, where the battery was re-formed.

After full consideration of the circumstances of the case the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief in South Africa (Lord Roberts VC) formed the opinion that the conduct of all ranks of Q Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, was conspicuously gallant and daring, but that all were equally brave and devoted in their behaviour. He therefore decided to treat the case of the battery as one of collective gallantry under Rule 13 of the Victoria Cross Warrant, and directed that one Officer should be selected for the decoration of the Victoria Cross by the Officers, one non-commissioned officer by the non-commissioned officers, and two gunners or drivers by the gunners and drivers. A difficulty arose with regard to the Officer because there were only two unwounded Officers — Major Phipps-Hornby and Captain Humphreys — available for the work of saving the guns, and both of these had been conspicuous by their gallantry and by the fearless manner in which they exposed themselves, and each of them nominated the other for the decoration. It was ultimately decided in favour of Major Phipps-Hornby as having been the senior concerned.

Isaac was presented with his medal by Lord Roberts VC at Pretoria on 28th October 1900. Following his Army service, he returned to his previous career as a gamekeeper, before gaining employment in Hyde Park. He died on 18th June 1923, aged 57, and was buried in Hendon Cemetery. His headstone was replaced following work by the Royal Horse Artillery. His medals are held and displayed by the National Army Museum, Chelsea.

 

LOCATION OF MEDAL: NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM, CHELSEA, LONDON.

BURIAL PLACE: HENDON PARK CEMETERY, HENDON, LONDON.

SECTION D, PLOT 21, GRAVE 820

 

Acknowledgement:

Kevin Brazier – Image of the Lodge VC Grave and Cemetery Plan for Hendon Park Cemetery, London.