Francis Clere Hitchcock

Colonel Francis Clere Hitchcock MC (1896–1962)^[1] wrote Stand To—A Diary of the Trenches 1915–1918^[2] about the activities of the second Leinster Regiment of the British Army in World War I.

Francis Clere Hitchcock MC
Born	(1896-03-15)March 15, 1896 Dublin, Ireland
Died	1963 (aged 66–67)
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army
Rank	Colonel
Service number	11097
Commands	Leinster Regiment
Battles / wars	First World War

Biography

He was born in Dublin and spent most of his young life in Kinnitty, Birr, County Offaly where his father was the Church of Ireland parish rector. His brother was the Hollywood director Rex Ingram.

He enlisted as an officer in the Leinster Regiment in April 1916, after graduating from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst,^[3] and fought in France where he was awarded the Military Cross,^[4] the citation for which reads as follows:

For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led a successful raid against the enemy with great gallantry. After gaining touch with both flank parties, he reconnoitered the enemy's line, bombed several dugouts, shot a sentry and captured a prisoner.^[5]

He remained in the British Army until retirement with the rank of Colonel.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. Family Tree Maker: Francis Clere Hitchcock
2. Reprinted by The Naval & Military Press, ISBN 978-1-84342-160-3
3. "No. 29537". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 April 1916. p. 3685.
4. Barton, Ruth; Ford, Michael James (8 November 2014). "Irish brothers in arms: the soldier and the film director". The Irish Times. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
5. "No. 29968". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 March 1917. p. 2194.

Bibliography

• Stand to" : a diary of the Trenches 1915–18. London: Hurst & Blackett. 1937.
• To horse!. London: Hurst & Blackett. 1938.