A Very Early and Desirable
' CAVALRY '
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
To:
1017. Private. Charles HARFORD. 15th HUSSARS. 
This award has a superb full action citation to a man who braved and defied the most incredible odds to deliver multiple messages across the lethal battlefield at Ypres.
(Also entitled to a 1914 Star & Bar trio & S.W.B.)
LONDON GAZETTE (1st January 1915)
1017. Private C. HARFORD, 15th Hussars.
"FOR CONSPICUOUSLY GALLANT CONDUCT ON 27th and 28th OCTOBER WHEN ACTING AS A DESPATCH RIDER NEAR VELDHOEK, HE CARRIED FIVE MESSAGES TO THE FIRING LINE, DURING WHICH PERIOD HE HAD TWO HORSES KILLED AND ONE WOUNDED."
*Private Harford entered France on 21st August 1914 with 15th Hussars and served until his discharge due to 'sickness' on 19th April 1916.
It is thought that he died in the early 1920's as his unit is seen claiming his 1914 Star & Clasp on behalf of his widow on 26th February 1927.
Mrs Mary Harford was then living at:
13, EVELYN ROAD, RICHMOND, SURREY.
[How Private C.Harford,of The 15th Hussars Won The D.C.M. at Veldhoek] 
'Few military exploits are more calculated to impress the imagination than the accomplishment of some daring feat of despatch riding through the midst of an enemy’s territory or over ground swept by lethal artillery and rifle fire.
Perhaps never in the Great War was work of this kind ever performed with more conspicuous gallantry than that done by Private Charles Harford, of the 15th “The King’s” Hussars, who, during 27th & 28th October 1914 delivered no less than five critical messages during two days of greatly perilous riding across the battlefield at Ypres. The 15th Hussars at this time were acting as Divisional Cavalry for the First Division and were engaged in patrol work in the neighbourhood of Ypres. During his gallant rides Private Harford was continually exposed to the greatest danger and risked a sudden and brutal death from withering gun fire and vicious shelling. Indeed, he had two horses killed from under him and another wounded, but he still had the greatest fortune to escape unhurt'.
A SHEER CLASSIC DEMONSTRATION OF OUTSTANDING VALOUR IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY. 
.
SOLDIERS WAITING FOR THE SIGNAL TO ATTACK VELDHOEK
30th OCTOBER 1914
SOLD