Ernest George Horlock VC (also known as Ernest George Harlock) (24 October 1885 – 30 December 1917) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Born on 24 October 1885 to John and Emily Horlock in Beech near Alton, Hampshire,
Gallantry in battle
Horlock was a 28 years old Bombardier in the 113th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, British Army during the First World War when he performed the service for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
As well as being recommended for the VC, Horlock was reprimanded by his officers for not obeying orders to go to the hospital after both his first and second wounds had been dressed. He stayed by his gun until the evening, despite a third wound. He was mentioned in despatches by Sir John French on 8 October 1914. He later was promoted to Battery Sergeant Major. On the morning of 30 December Aragon was no more than from her destination at the Port of Alexandria in Egypt when the German submarine torpedoed her, sinking her within 20 minutes. Aragons escort, the destroyer , rescued 300 to 400 survivors, but then UC-34 sank her as well.
References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - 1914 (Gerald Gliddon, 1994)