First World War
Two Infantry Battalions and five Batteries of the HAC fought in the First World
War. The 1st Battalion served in France and Flanders, with particular distinction
at Hooge, Beaucourt, and Gavrelle. The 2nd Battalion saw active service in France
and in Italy, where it played an important role in the crossing of the Piave.
Two Batteries went to the Middle East to fight in Aden, Egypt, and Palestine.
Two Reserve Batteries and a Siege Battery fought in France. In total, almost
thirteen thousand members of the Company served during the First World War and
over nine hundred of these were killed or died of wounds or sickness. Three members
of the HAC were awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War. Lieutenant
A. O. Pollard, VC, MC, DCM (1893-1960) and Lieutenant R. L. Haine, VC, MC (1896-1982),
received the medal for conspicuous bravery and determination while they were fighting
with the 1st Battalion at Gavrelle in April 1917. Lieutenant (Acting Captain)
T. T. Pryce, VC, MC & Bar (died 1918) was originally a private in the 1st
Battalion and won a posthumous Victoria Cross as an officer in the Grenadier Guards.
The Artillery Division of the HAC was granted the privilege of firing Royal salutes
at the Tower of London in 1924. The following year saw the formation of the HAC’s
Company of Pikemen and Musketeers.