First World War British War Medal - Private Sydney Ashley, Middlesex Hussars
British War Medal - 4088 PTE. S. ASHLEY. 1-CO. OF LOND. Y.
Private Sydney Ashley, KIA 27th October 1917, Battle of Buqqar Ridge, Palestine *VERY RARE TO FIND A CASUALTY OF THIS ACTION*
Private Sydney Ashley (service number 4088, later 260648) served with the 1st Squadron, Middlesex Hussars (1st County of London Yeomanry, Duke of Cambridge’s Own) during the Great War. He was killed in action on 27th October 1917, during the Battle of Buqqar Ridge, part of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign.
At this time the 8th Mounted Brigade (including the Middlesex Hussars, Warwickshire Yeomanry, and Dorset Yeomanry) were holding advanced outpost positions to protect the extension of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force’s railway and water pipeline south-east of Gaza. These positions, around Points 630 and 720 on Buqqar Ridge, were thinly held and particularly exposed.
In the early hours of 27th October 1917, a major Ottoman force – estimated at 3,000 infantry with 1,200 cavalry in support – launched a determined assault. The main weight of the attack fell upon the Middlesex Hussars, who were manning the key defensive posts on the ridge. Point 720, commanded by Major Alexander Lafone, was cut off from communication after 06:00 and surrounded. Outnumbered by odds of nearly twenty to one, Lafone and his men fought a heroic six-hour defence under continuous rifle, machine-gun, and artillery fire.
Despite repeated counter-attacks, the small garrison held on until they were virtually annihilated. Major Lafone was killed and later awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his leadership and gallantry. Of the post’s defenders, only three men survived. Casualties were heavy across the Middlesex Hussars, with many men – including Private Sydney Ashley – killed in action that day.
This desperate stand on Buqqar Ridge delayed the enemy advance long enough to allow the remainder of the Yeomanry Division and supporting units to regroup. Just days later, on 31st October 1917, the British launched the Third Battle of Gaza, with the dramatic cavalry charge at Beersheba breaking the Ottoman line. The sacrifice of men like Ashley and his comrades at Buqqar Ridge helped make this victory possible.
Private Ashley is buried in Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel, grave reference Q.41.
A poignant casualty from one of the most gallant but costly actions of the Middlesex Hussars in the First World War.
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