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Remembrance
- The Yorkshire Regiment, First World War Lieutenant Q/Master Edward PICKARD Close window to return to main page |
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For a larger sized image, click on the thumbnail image. Close the window that opens to return to this page. (Photo is from that of 2nd Battalion Officers, 1914)
Lieutenant Q/Master Edward PICKARD
Born at Bradford 4th February, 1873, son of George Pickard of Bradford.
Pte., 16th October. 1891 ; Lce.-Corpl, 1st December, 1891 ; Corpl, 2nd June,
1892 ; Sergt., 12th August, 1895 ; Cr.-Sergt 12th October, 1896 ; Sergt.-Major,
1st October, 1903; Hon. Lieut. and Qr.-Mr., 28th July, 1909 ; Hon. Capt.,
4th June, 1917; Hon. Major 3rd June, 1918 ; Major and Qr.-Mr., 8th August,
1918; Lieut.-Col. 5th November, 1927 ; retired, 16th February, 1928.
Served in the Boer War, 1899-1902, and was present in the operations near
Colesberg in January, 1900. In the march along the Modder River, including
the Relief of Kimberley, the actions at Paardeberg, Kitchener's Kop, Poplar
Grove, and Driefontein, and occupation of Bloemfontein. In the advance on
Dewetsdorp and action at Leuukop. In the march to Pretoria and actions at
Brandfort, Vet and Zand Rivers, Kroonstadt and Johannesburg. In the advance
eastwards and actions at Diamond Hill and Belfast (mentioned in despatches,
medal for distinguished conduct in the field. Queen's medal and 6 clasps.
King's medal and 2 clasps). Awarded the King's Coronation medal, 1911.
In the war of 1914-18 served as Qr. Master to the 2nd Battn., and was present
at all the operations in which it was engaged, which included the 1st battle
of Ypres, 1914, battles of Neuve Chapelle, Festubert, Givenchy and Loos in
1915, the Somme, July to September, 1916, Arras, and 3rd battle of Ypres in
1917, St. Quentin, March and April, 1918, Ypres, April and May, Cambrai, 2nd
battle of Le Cateau, Selle River and the Sambre, 1st to 11th November, 1918
(twice mentioned in despatches, bronze star and clasp, Belgian Croix de Guerre,
promoted to Captain and Major, granted higher rate of pay, silver and bronze
medals). O.B.E., 3rd June, 1923. Served in Ireland with 3rd Battalion during
the rebellion.
"Major Pickard came to France with the 2nd Battn. and was one of the
few of any rank who served continuously with it from the beginning of the
war to the Armistice, and his services are not likely to be forgotten by his
comrades. The rest of the staff of the Battalion was changed times without
number, but Major Pickard remained a tower of strength to the many newcomers
and a very present help in time of trouble to his comrades (Regtl. History
of the War).
Died at Nottingham, 17th July, 1928.
The following extract from “The Green Howards in the Great War”
by H C Wylly recounts how Lieutenant Quartermaster Edward Pickard was one
of the first members of the 2nd Battalion to see action in October 1914.
The incident below is in Edward Pickard’s own words and took place on
14 October 1914.
“The Battalion marched with the brigade up the Menin Road and after a time I received orders to proceed to Kruisstraat and billet the battalion there. This village was about half a mile from the Ypres railway station on the road to Dickebusch. On arrival there I rode through the village in order to get an idea of the size of it and the type of houses it contained. I then came back to the Ypres side of the village and commenced to mark up the houses for the Battalion. Suddenly, a small boy appeared out of a by-road, shouting “Uhlan” “Uhlan”. I had my regimental quartermaster Sergeant with me, and Sergeant Bell was actually at the door of the house. I seized Sergeant Bell’s rifle and some ammunition off him and dashed off to the corner of the road. There about 20 yards away were two Uhlans. My Q.M.S. and I dropped on our knees and blazed off. The new Uhlans who in my opinion, should have charged us, turned round, crashed into each other, and dashed away, but not before we had got them both in the back. A Naval party, who had an aeroplane on the Dickebusch Road, was in Ypres when we started firing, and thought the aeroplane was in trouble, so dashed out in a light lorry. I told them what had happened and asked them to get down to the Dickebusch Road as fast as they could and try and capture those two Uhlans. Off they went as fast as possible and returned about ten minutes later with the two. One was an officer who was very badly wounded and died shortly after in Ypres, the second was a non-commissioned officer who was also seriously wounded in the back. My QMS and I were the first to open fire in the 7th Division.”
Although Edward Pickard died in Nottingham, his headstone is in Richmond Cemetery, North Yorkshire.
Photo : Retired
QA on the Find a Grave website
Select the above image for a larger sized image which opens in a new window
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