Iraq Levies Cavalry - MC Winner
Very pleased to have acquired this rare little silver niello napkin ring to a young subaltern who transferred to foreign climes seeking action and a surprising change in his later military career. Tom Cuthbert Hobbs was commissioned into the 3rd/6th Dragoon Guards in 1920, and seconded to The Iraq Levies (2nd Cavalry, stationed in Kirkuk) in 1925. Page 72 of the regimental history relays the account of his Military Cross actions, where in May 1927, Lt. Hobb’s Squadron were fired upon by rebels, drawing swords, he charged in extended order, galloped into a garden, with the rebels firing hard against them, killed three and captured three more, the village was then burnt.
In 1929, as a Temp. Capt. he further transferred to The Kings African Rifles (Company Commander, Somaliland Camel Corps) there, leading raids to destroy enemy villages and to seize stock and camels, leaving more rebels dead or captured.
1931 sees him back home with his parent regiment and in 1934 retirement due to ill health. However, with the advent of WWII, in 1939 he is commissioned into The RAFVR for intelligence duties, 1942 Sqn.Ldr. RAF Regiment, finally retiring as Wing Commander in 1950.
You can see I had great fun researching his career from a little piece of Mess Silver!
Damn, sorry for the inverted pics.
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