ROSSER George Archibald A/Major

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Surname: ROSSER;

Forename(s): George Archibald;

Initials: GA;

Rank: A/Major;

Previous Regiment: Hants Regt;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 183 Coy;

Other MGC Unit Served (1): 54 Bn;

Other MGC Unit Served (2): 7 Bn;

Awarded: MID;

Other Data: Wellington Coll: b 3/3/1890, son of Col RH Rosser. RMC 1908, Hants Regt, Lieut 1911, Capt 1915, Gallipoli 4/15-6/15, Mespot 10/16-3/18, EEF 5/18-10/18, MID 1915 & 1917 Asst Instr. MGC TC 12/2/1916.,A/Major MGC 6/9/1916 - 15/2/1918, T/Major to 17/4/1921, RTC 1921, Major 1923. Malabar 1921-22, Waziristan 1921-24.
1916 - OC of 133 Coy - name traced on Embarkation List ex-Mesopotamia 1917
920: 7 Bn MGC, Mhow, India
Medals sold DNW Apr 2004

George Rosser was commissioned into the Hampshire Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant on the 18th of Sept 1909, he was promoted to Lieutenant on the 1st of Novemeber 1911, and to Captain on the 13th of April 1915.

At the Gallipoli Landing, Lt Rosser served on board the 'River Clyde' in command of the machine guns. The action that took place on V beach has been well documented, but what is not well know, is that 'only the machine guns in the bow of the River Clyde ably controlled by Lt G.A. Rosser of the 2nd Hants and Commander Josiah Wedwood, M.P,, of the R.N.R, the moral effect of the naval guns, and possibly the barrier of wire prevented the Turks from counter-attacking and annihilation the party at the water's edge' - an Extract from the "History of the 29th Division" by Captain Stan Dillon.

Promoted to Captain and Adjutant, Rosser was present at the Battle of Krithia on the 28th April 1915, the second battle on 8th of May 1915 and the third battle on 4th of June 1915, during which, he was wounded. Captain Rosser later served in command of the 133rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps, serving in Mesopotamia and Egypt.

After the war Captain Rosser transferred to an armoured car unit of the Royal Tank Corps and served in Malabar, in command of No 8 Armoured Car Coy, later transferring to No 9 Armoured Car Unit, then serving in the Waziristan Campaign. Rosser ended his army career as Lt Colonel of the 1st (Light) Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment.

Anthony Conroy
see article OMRS Journal Spring 2018 (GS archives)

Medals sold again Noonans, Sept '24;

Other Notes: MID: LG 15/8/1917 MESOPOTAMIA
IGS Medal "Waz 1921-24" (9 ACC - Tanks) + clasp "Malabar" (8ACC - Tanks);

END OF RECORD.

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