Harrogate Herald - 9th May 1917

Roll of Honour

Our readers will be interested to hear that early this week Mrs Sugden, 17 Forest Avenue, Starbeck, widow of the late Captain John Edwin Sugden, of the Royal Irish Rifles, received the DSO, which was awarded to her husband for gallant and distinguished service in the field.

The official statement is as follows : 

War Office, Whitehall, SW, 19th April, 1917. Madam, I have it in command from His Majesty the King to inform you as next of kin of the late Captain John Edwin Sugden, of the Royal Irish Rifles, that this officer was mentioned in a despatch from General Sir Douglas Haig, dated 13th November, 1916, and published in the second supplement to the London Gazette of 2nd April, dated 4th January, 1917, for gallant distinguished service in the field.

I am to express to you the King's high appreciation of these services, and to add that His Majesty trusts that their public acknowledgement may be some consolation in your bereavement.

I have the honour to be, Your obedient servant, M D Graham, Colonel, Assistant Military Secretary.

The certificate admitting to the Order has also been forwarded to Mrs Sugden.

The DSO was established in 1886. The badge, which is worn on the left breast, consists of a gold cross pattee, convexed, enamelled white, edged gold, having on one side in the centre within a wreath of laurel enamelled green, the Imperial Crown in gold upon a red enamelled ground; and on the reverse, within a similar wreath and on a similar red ground, the Royal cypher. The badge hangs from the ribbon by a gold clasp, ornamented with laurel, while another similar clasp is worn at the top of the ribbon. The DSO ranks immediately after the 4th Class of the Royal Victorian Order, and for officers to be eligible for it they must have been "mentioned in despatches". The number of members of the Order is unlimited.

W H Breare letter

You remember that Harrogate hero, Captain Sugden, who fell doing his duty so brilliantly. Today I had the pleasure of inspecting his DSO medal which has been forwarded to his wife. One cannot help feeling how pathetic it is that he was not able to receive it himself, and at the hands of the King. When we come to think of it, boys, we know in our hearts that at the moment if his death he was possessed with the joyous consciousness of duty nobly done - a happiness far greater than any earthly reward. I had never seen a DSO medal before, and I was impressed with its beauty. As a rule medals are not much to look at, but this was an exquisite design perfect in its artistic detail. Let us always keep Sugden's memory green.

Harrogate Herald – 15th January 1919

RSM Arthur Sugden, of Belmont Grove, Starbeck, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry in the field on October 11th. He is the youngest brother of the late Captain and Adjutant J E Sugden, DSO.