Description
Physical description
plain Greek cross (arms of equal length) in silver. On the obverse, St George (on horseback) and the dragon within a central raised roundel surrounded by a band bearing the text 'FOR GALLANTRY'. At the base of the circlet bearing the text a small Tudor rose. The whole superimposed upon an edged cross. In each angle formed by the arms of the cross a small 'GVI' cypher. The cross is suspended from a straight (laurelled) bar and the ribbon is dark blue, often referred to as 'Garter' blue.
This Cross is named and dated on the reverse to: 'No 2022069 PT. ERNEST MATHEW ELSTON / THE WEST YORKSHIRE REGT. / 19th November, 1935'. (Note spelling of second Christian name).
Label
George Cross (GC) awarded to Private (2022096) Ernest Matthew Elston, 1st Battalion, The West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's Own) in connection with his rescue work following an earthquake at Quetta (Baluchistan, India), 31 May to 1 June 1935.
Ten awards were made - seven Empire Gallantry Medals (including Elston) and three Albert Medallists. The EGM holders exchanged to became GC holders in 1940, the AM recipients in 1971.
History note
Biographical note (recipient): Ernest Matthew Elston 2022069, Private, 1st Battalion, The West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's Own).
History note
Medal citation: London Gazette: 19th November 1935 (page 7318): 'Private Elston worked with untiring energy at rescue work and in the subsequent salvage operations 31st May-14th June, 1935. He was personally responsible for saving the lives of several Indians buried under the debris in Quetta City; and on more than one occasion voluntarily endangered his own life to effect a rescue. On 31st May, 1935, in Quetta City regardless of his own safety, he worked at great personal risk for four hours to effect the rescue of an Indian child entombed alive under a collapsed doublestorey building. In order to reach the child he had heard crying it was necessary to make a tunnel beneath the wreckage which was in a most unsafe condition. The dead bodies of other members of the family were encountered embedded in the débris; it was impracticable to extricate these, but the child was brought out unscathed. (The remains of this building did actually collapse in consequence of the shocks that took place during the night of 31st May-lst June, 1935.) Elston's personal example and bravery were most meritorious.'
History note
Association - related items: one of a group of 7 medals, OMD 3032-3038
Named and dated on reverse: note spelling of second Christian name
No 2022069 PT. ERNEST MATHEW ELSTON / THE WEST YORKSHIRE REGT. / 19th November, 1935
