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CAPT. L. M. B. SALMON
A fine example of courage
With the death of Capt. L. M. B. Salmon, of The Old Hall, Apperley, Deerhurst Parish has lost one of it's best known and most distinguished residents.
He was a man whose outstanding qualities were courage and understanding; the courage that never deserted him even when he was left for dead on the battlefield of Ypres, and enabled him to go on living after being so grievously wounded.
Lionel Mordaunt Broome Salmon was born in June 1888, and was a native of Sussex.
He came of a long line of successful soldiers, his father, Capt. M. B. Salmon, and his grandfather, General Salmon, both serving with distinction in the Indian Army.
He was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire, where he acquired outstanding athletic ability, representing the college at rugger, football, racquets, and cricket.
He was one time holder of the school high jump record.
In 1906, with his twin brother - the present Lieut.-Col. H. M. B. Salmon. D.S.O., of Tewksbury Park - he decided to go into the Army, and on the spin of a coin he went to join the Royal Sussex Garrison Artillery to study for a regular commission, while his brother went to Sandhurst.
PLAYED FOR HARLEQUINS
From 1906 - 1908 he played rugby for the celebrated Harlequins as a centre three-quarter alongside Adrian Stoop, of England fame, and was at one time offered terms by Southampton Football Club to become a professional footballer.
In 1908 he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the Royal Welch Regiment and went to South Africa with the 2nd Battalion to Bloemfontein where he played rugby for the Orange Free State.
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The years 1909-1913 were spent with his regiment in the Middle East, Egypt and Ethiopia, where he took part in many explorations up the River Nile.
He became a big game hunter of repute and many of his trophies are still preserved at Apperley Hall.
In 1913 he went to India and was at Meerut when the Great War broke out.
He at once returned to England and thence to France, where he took part in the First Battle of Ypres and was mentioned in dispatches in March 1915.
BLIND FOR MONTHS
It was at Zillebeke, outside Ypres, that he was so badly wounded that he was left for dead.
Hit in the head by a sniper's bullet, he was carried off the battlefield by his platoon N.C.O., Sgt. Hedley, for burial.
However the regimental officer met the sergeant and thought that his officer was still alive.
An operation by candlelight in a muddy dugout saved his life and relit the spark of courage that down the years had become his chief characteristic.
Although terribly wounded and totally blind for some months, Capt. Salmon fought back to some semblance of health and re-joined his unit in 1917, but in spite of his indomitable courage, he was honourably discharged from the Army in 1919 on account of almost total disability.
VILLAGE INTERESTS
Until 1924 he had a small farm in Berkshire and then moved to a fruit farm at Chart Sutton, near Maidstone, and then in 1940 to The Old Hall, Apperley.
There he interested himself in many aspects of village life - the cricket club, football and hockey clubs all benefitted from his participation and generosity, and he was for many years secretary for the Apperley and District Pig Club.
Capt. Salmon married in 1916 - on New Year's Day - Miss Henrietta Elizabeth Keays-Young, daughter of Col. Leays-Young, of Chart Sutton, and they had five sons and a daughter.
He is survived by his widow and a daughter.
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