GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY
Terrot was promoted Major in August 1911, and was serving with the Regiment in India at the outbreak of the Great War. He sailed with the Regiment from Bombay in November 1914, disembarking at Marseilles on 14 December. The 6th Dragoons served on the Western Front as part of the Mhow Cavalry Brigade, Indian Cavalry Corps. Promoted Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, Terrot served as a Commandant at a School of Instruction, November 1916 - March 1917, and November 1917 - January 1918.
The Charge at Harbonnieres
Terrot was posted to the command of the 5th Dragoon Guards, 16 April 1918. The Regiment’s War Diary for 3 May 1918, records ‘Lt. Col. C. R. Terrot, D.S.O. and Capt. R. H. Parker motored to La Panne and lunched with His Majesty the King of the Belgians [Colonel in Chief of the Regiment].’
The 5th Dragoon Guards were attached to the Third Army, and by 14 July had moved into a position just outside of Doullens. Here they were employed on reconnaissance patrols. On 5 August, Terrot commenced in marching his men at night towards Amiens. Three days later they formed up as part of the 1st Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, at the concentration area west of Longeau and 12 miles east of Harbonnieres. The big Allied Offensive, which was to start on 8 August 1918, was later described by Ludendorff as “the black day of the German Army.”
Terrot’s orders were to pass through the leading Australian 2nd Infantry Division, capture the village of Harbonnieres, the wood 1,200 yards to north of it, and to gain the old Amiens defence line. The Regimental History gives the following:
‘The line Framerville - Vauvillers was to be the limit of their advance. At 10am the regiment (less one troop C Squadron) moved off at a trot in double echelon of squadrons. A Squadron leading, B Squadron on the left, C Squadron with headquarters on the right.... The regiment passed through the leading infantry 1,000 yards west of the second objective and advanced to a point 1,000 yards past the second objective without opposition. A patrol of the Bays was seen south towards Harbonnieres.
A Squadron was then shot at by machine-guns from Harbonnieres, but went straight on and reached the old Amiens defence line which they found unoccupied. After crossing the trench line the squadron was fired on from a train on the railway running from Proyart to the east of Harbonnieres. The train was trying to steam away but was hit by a bomb from an aeroplane and set on fire. The train, carrying nearly 1,000 German soldiers (most whom had just returned from leave), stopped dead. The soldiers began tumbling out of the carriages, some firing at the cavalrymen just a few hundred yards away, some running for cover and many throwing down their rifles and raising their hands.
All the Germans were either killed or captured, some by this squadron and some by B Squadron which had advanced in the left rear of A Squadron and rounded up many of the enemy trying to escape from the train. The 5th Dragoon Guards captured 20 officers, 740 other ranks and 50 horses.
Still advancing, A Squadron was enfiladed by machine-gun fire from the cemetery at the western outskirts of Vauvillers, but reached its objective - the Framerville - Vauvillers road - where it came into dismounted action against the retreating enemy. Some German infantry, transport and two motor-lorries coming out of Vauvillers were captured, as well as the walking wounded and personnel of a casualty clearing station at the Moulin de Vauvillers - numbering about 180 in all. Two anti-aircraft guns, two field guns and one 5.9 howitzer were also captured and the personnel either killed or captured.
Meantime B Squadron, after assisting A Squadron round up the Germans escaping from the train, reached the objective between Framerville and Moulin de Vauvillers and continued its advance. Swinging to the south after crossing the Framerville to Vauvillers road, the squadron reached the small wood 1,300 yards south-south-east of Vauvillers, killing many of the retreating enemy and also capturing transport.
The wood, however, was wired and full of machine-guns and considerable opposition was encountered, apparently organised by a divisional general who is thought to have been an Austrian.
The squadron was now far beyond its objective and so wheeled round, and joined A Squadron on the Framerville - Vauvillers road. C Squadron and headquarters, in order to maintain a footing on the Amiens defence-line and to keep a way open for the other two squadrons to return, were ordered to swing left-handed and occupy the trench-line. Owing to the heavy machine-gun fire and the pressure of wire, and the difficulty of crossing the trench with led horses, the operation was carried out with great difficulty and a considerable number of men and horses were hit.
Lt. Col. Terrot’s horse was hit and he was unable to go on with the other two squadrons. The defence of the trench was then organised, with some enemy in the trench captured, and a message sent back to 1st Cavalry Brigade for reinforcements. A heavy machine-gun fire was meanwhile kept up on the trench to the right. Several small parties of the enemy - who were immediately in front of the trench - were attacked and captured. At 11 am the Australian infantry came up and took over the trench. A and B Squadrons rejoined and the regiment withdrew to the north-west of Harbonnieres.
At 1.30 pm the regiment withdrew to the west of Harbonnieres. Lt. Col Terrot was wounded in the head by a machine-gun bullet and Capt. Winterbottom assumed command.’
Four days later Terrot returned from hospital to resume command of the regiment. On 13 August he received the following telegram from the King of the Belgians:
‘I am very glad to hear of the brilliant part the 5th Dragoon Guards took in the recent offensive, and wish to express to you and all ranks my warmest congratulations.’
The following day the regiment was inspected, and congratulated, by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig. Terrot was awarded the Bar to his D.S.O. for his gallantry at Harbonnieres, whilst his second in command, Captain A. D. Winterbottom was awarded the D.S.O. Despite the charge being a great success, the 5th Dragoon Guards also suffered casualties of 1 Officer killed, 6 other ranks killed, 42 wounded, 8 missing in action and 122 horses killed, wounded or missing. The regiment’s action on 8 August 1918, was commemorated when the celebrated Great War artist Fortunino Matania painted The Charge Of The 5th Dragoon Guards At Harbonnieres.
Terrot rejoined the 6th Dragoons in September 1918, and proceeded to command the regiment until December 1921. The following year the 6th Dragoons amalgamated with the 5th Dragoon Guards, and Terrot was appointed to command the combined regiment - 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. He continued in this capacity until April 1926, when he was appointed commanding officer of the Iraq Levies. Terrot returned to India, and was promoted Brigadier in command of the Sialkot Cavalry Brigade in June 1928. He relinquished this command four years later, and finally retired in 1934.
In later life Terrot resided at Tong House in Eastbourne. He joined the Eastbourne Home Guard for service during the Second War, and was appointed its’ commander in November 1943. He relinquished command in Spring 1944, and on 1 May 1944 committed suicide at home using his service revolver.
Sold with an extensive file of copied research, including several photographic images of the recipient from various stages of his career.
www.dnw.co.uk
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