The Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest award of the United Kingdom honours system. It is awarded for gallantry “in the face of the enemy” to members of the British armed forces. It may be awarded posthumously. It was previously awarded to Commonwealth countries, most of which have established their own honours systems and no longer recommend British honours.
It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians under military command although no civilian has received the award since 1879. Since the first awards were presented by Queen Victoria in 1857, two thirds of all awards have been personally presented by the British monarch. These investitures are usually held at Buckingham Palace.
The first citations of the VC, particularly those in the initial gazette of 24th February 1857, varied in the details of each action; some specify date ranges while some specify a single date. The original Royal Warrant did not contain a specific clause regarding posthumous awards, although official policy was not to award the VC posthumously.
Between 1897 and 1901, several notices were issued in the London Gazette regarding soldiers who would have been awarded the VC had they survived. In a partial reversal of policy in 1902, six of the soldiers mentioned were granted the VC, but not “officially” awarded the medal.
In 1907, the posthumous policy was completely reversed and medals were sent to the next of kin of the six soldiers.] The Victoria Cross warrant was not officially amended to explicitly allow posthumous awards until 1920, but one quarter of all awards for the First World War were posthumous.
Three people have been awarded the VC and Bar, which is a medal for two actions; Noel Chavasse, Arthur Martin-Leake and Charles Upham. Chavasse received both medals for actions in the First World War, while Martin-Leake was awarded his first VC for actions in the Second Boer War, and his second for actions during the First World War. Charles Upham received both VCs for actions during the Second World War.
The Victoria Cross has been awarded 1,358 times to 1,355 individual recipients. The largest number of recipients for one campaign is the First World War, for which 628 medals were awarded to 627 recipients. The largest number awarded for actions on a single day was 24 on 16th November 1857, at the Second Relief of Lucknow, during the Indian Mutiny. The largest number awarded for a single action was 18, for the assault on Sikandar Bagh, during the Second Relief of Lucknow.
The largest number awarded to one unit during a single action was seven, to the 2nd/24th Foot, for the defence of Rorke’s Drift (22nd–23rd January 1879), during the Zulu War. Since 1991, Australia, Canada and New Zealand have created their own separate Victoria Crosses: the Victoria Cross for Australia, the Victoria Cross for Canada, and the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. Only three of these separate medals have been awarded, all for actions in the War in Afghanistan; Willie Apiata received the Victoria Cross for New Zealand on 26th July 2007; Mark Donaldson received the Victoria Cross for Australia on 16th January 2009; and Ben Roberts-Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia on 23rd January 2011. As these are separate medals, they are not included in this list.
The youngest recipient of the VC was Andrew Fitzgibbon who was fifteen at the time of the action that earned him the VC. By comparison, the oldest recipient was William Raynor at 61 at the time of his action in 1857. There have been several VCs awarded to close relatives.
Four pairs of brothers and three fathers and sons have been awarded the VC. In his book Victoria Cross Heroes, Lord Ashcroft notes the story of the Gough family as possibly the “bravest family.” Major Charles Gough was awarded the VC in 1857 for saving his brother, Lieutenant Hugh Gough who then went on to win a VC himself in the same year, after he charged enemy guns. Charles’ son, John Gough, then went on to win the family’s third VC in 1903.
* indicates that the Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously,
[B] This was a Bar to the Victoria Cross,
[C] Died of his wounds
[D] Recipient awarded the Victoria Cross for multiple acts of valour or for an extended period of sustained courage and outstanding leadership, rather than a single act of valour.
[E] Antecedent to the RGJ
[E Att] Attached
(If you wish to read more on each individual VC recipient put your cursor on the name and right click for a www search)
List of Victoria Cross Recipients
Arthur Aaron Acting Flight Sergeant No. 218 Squadron RAF WWII August 1943*
Abdul Hafiz Jemadar 9th Jat Infantry WWII 6 April 1944*
Alfred Ablett Private Grenadier Guards Crimean WII September 1855
Harold Ackroyd Temp. Captain Royal Army Medical Corps WWI 31 July 1917 to 1 August 1917
Abraham Acton Private Border Regiment WWI 21 December 1914
James Adams Reverend Bengal Ecclesiastical Department Second Afghan War 11 December 1879
Robert Adams Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Corps of Guides Tirah Campaign 17 August 1897
Henry Addison Private 43rd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 2 January 1859 [E]
Addison was about 37 years old, and a private in the 43rd ( Monmouthshire ) Regiment of Foot (later The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry) of the British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the incident for which he was awarded the VC took place on 2 January 1859 near Kurrereah, India.
Addison was recommended for the VC in a dispatch from Lieutenant-Colonel F. Gottreux, “commanding Field Detachment, to the Assistant Adjutant General Saugor Field Division on January 15, 1859”.
“Whilst in the neighbourhood of Kurrereah… chasing retreating mutineers… Lieutenant Osborne, Political Agent of Rewab, was wounded by a sword cut on the right hand. He was at the time he was attacked, closely followed by three men of the 43rd Light Infantry, two men of the artillery being a few paces in front of him. Private Henry Addison, of the 43rd Light Infantry, seeing him attacked and on the ground, rushed forward to defend and cover him in a most gallant manner.
In doing this, I much regret having to record, that he received two very severe sword cuts, one on the left leg which rendered immediate amputation of the limb above the knee necessary, and another causing compound fracture of the left fore-arm. The heroism displayed by Private Addison in thus placing himself between Lieutenant Osborne and his assailant at the critical juncture he did, thereby saving that officer’s life, may, I hope, be deemed worthy of the Victoria Cross, for which honour I earnestly beg to recommend him.
His injuries were recorded later in the dispatch as follows:
“GENERAL RETURN of Casualties at the Engagement at Kurrereah, 2nd January, 1859.
Private Henry Addison (3232): Sword cut on left knee joint; compound fracture of left forearm from sword cut Dangerously wounded — amputation above the knee performed on the field
His citation was recorded in the London Gazette as follows:
“Private Henry Addison. Date of Act of Bravery 2nd January, 1859.
For gallant conduct on the 2nd of January, 1859, near Kurrereah, in defending, against a large force, and saving the life of Lieutenant Osborn, Political Agent, who had fallen on the ground wounded. Private Addison received two dangerous wounds, and lost a leg, in this gallant service.
He was also awarded an Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. His Victoria Cross is now displayed at RGJ / Rifles Museum in the former Peninsula Barracks.
William Addison Chaplain Royal Army Chaplains’ Department WWI 9 April 1916
Tom Adlam Temp. Second Lieutenant Bedfordshire Regiment WWI 27–28 September 1916
Agansing Rai Naik 5th Gurkha Rifles WWII 26 June 1944
Augustus Agar Lieutenant HM Coastal Motor Boat 4 North Russia Relief Force 17 June 1919
Frederick Aikman Lieutenant 4th Bengal Native Infantry Indian Mutiny 1 March 1858
Robert Aitken Lieutenant 13th Bengal Native Infantry Indian Mutiny 30 June 1857 to 22 November 1857[A]
Herman Albrecht Trooper Imperial Light Horse Second Boer War 6 January 1900
Ernest Alexander Major Royal Field Artillery WWI 24 August 1914
John Alexander Private 90th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 18 June 1855
Wallace Algie Lieutenant 1st Battalion, CEF WWI 11 October 1918*
Ali Haidar Sepoy 13th Frontier Force Rifles WWII 9 April 1945
William Allen Captain Royal Army Medical Corps WWI 3 September 1916
William Allen Corporal 24th Regiment of Foot Zulu War 22–23 January 1879
Michael Allmand Acting Captain 6th Gurkha Rifles WWII 11 June 1944 23 June 1944*[A]
William Amey Lance Corporal Royal Warwickshire Regiment WWI 4 November 1918
Charles Anderson Private 2nd Dragoon Guards Indian Mutiny 8 October 1858
Charles Anderson Lieutenant Colonel 8th Division, AIF WWII 18–22 January 1942
Eric Anderson Private East Yorkshire Regiment WWII 6 April 1943*
John Anderson Acting Major Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s) WWII 23 April 1943
William Anderson Corporal Green Howards WWI 12 March 1915*
William Anderson Acting Lieutenant Colonel Highland Light Infantry WWI 25 March 1918*
Leslie Andrew Corporal Wellington Infantry Regiment WWI 31 July 1917
Henry Andrews Temp. Captain Indian Medical Service Waziristan Campaign 22 October 1919*
William Angus Lance Corporal Highland Light Infantry WWI 12 June 1915
Richard Annand Second Lieutenant Durham Light Infantry WWII 15 May 1940
Augustus Anson Captain 84th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 28 September 1857, 16 November 1857[A]
Adam Archibald Sapper Corps of Royal Engineers WWI 4 November 1918
Thomas Arthur Gunner Royal Regiment of Artillery Crimean War 7 June 1855
Thomas Ashford Private 7th Regiment of Foot Second Afghan War 16 August 1880
James Ashworth Lance Corporal 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards Helmand 13 June 2012*
Alfred Atkinson Sergeant Yorkshire Regiment Second Boer War 18 February 1900
Harold Auten Lieutenant Royal Naval Reserve WWI 30 July 1918
Thomas Axford Lance Corporal 16th Battalion, AIF WWI 4 July 1918
Fenton Aylmer Captain Royal Engineers Hunza-Naga Campaign 2 December 1891
William Babtie Major Royal Army Medical Corps Second Boer War 15 December 1899
Peter Badcoe Major Australian Army Training Team Vietnam Vietnam War 23 February 1967[A]
7 March 1967 / 7 April 1967*
Badlu Singh Ressaidar 14th Murray’s Jat Lancers WWI 23 September 1918*
Charles Baker Lieutenant Bengal Police Battalion Indian Mutiny 27 September 1858
Albert Ball Temp. Captain No. 56 Squadron RFC WWI 25 April 1917 to 6 May 1917*[A]
Valentine Bambrick Private 60th Rifles Indian Mutiny 6 May 1858 [E]
Valentine was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was 21 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, 60th Rifles (later The Kings Royal Rifle Corps), of the British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 6th of May 1858 at Bareilly,India for which he was awarded the VC as recorded in the London Gazette:
“ For conspicuous bravery at Bareilly, on the 6th of May, 1858, when in a Serai, he was attacked by three Ghazees, one of whom he cut down. He was wounded twice on this occasion.
Edward Bamford Captain Royal Marine Light Infantry WWI 22–23 April 1918
William Bankes Cornet 7th Queen’s Own Hussars Indian Mutiny 19 March 1858
Edward Barber Private Grenadier Guards WWI 12 March 1915*
William Barker Acting Major No. 1 Squadron RFC WWI 27 October 1918
Thomas Barratt Private South Staffordshire Regiment WWI 27 July 1917*
John Barrett Lieutenant Leicestershire Regiment WWI 24 September 1918
Colin Barron Corporal 3rd Battalion, CEF WWI 6 November 1917
John Barry Private Royal Irish Regiment Second Boer War 7 January 1901
Frederick Barter Company Sergeant Major Royal Welsh Fusiliers WWI 16 May 1915
Cyril Barton Pilot Officer No. 578 Squadron RAF WWII 30 March 1944*
John Baskeyfield Lance-Sergeant South Staffordshire Regiment WWII 20 September 1944*
Cyril Bassett Corporal New Zealand Divisional Signal Company WWI 7 August 1915
Sidney Bates Corporal Royal Norfolk Regiment WWII 6 August 1944*[C]
Arthur Batten-Pooll Lieutenant Royal Munster Fusiliers WWI 25 June 1916
Edward Baxter Second Lieutenant King’s (Liverpool Regiment) WWI 18 April 1916*
Frank Baxter Trooper Bulawayo Field Force Matabeleland Rebellion 22 April 1896
Ian Bazalgette Squadron Leader No. 635 Squadron RAF WWII 4 August 1944*
Thomas Beach Private 55th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 5 November 1854
Daniel Beak Commander Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve WWI 21 August 1918 to 8 September 1918[A]
Ernest Beal Second Lieutenant Green Howards WWI 21–22 March 1918*
Robert Beatham Private 8th Battalion, AIF WWI 9 August 1918*
Stephen Beattie Lieutenant Commander HMS Campbeltown WWII 27 March 1942
Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor Captain No. 84 Squadron RFC WWI 8 August 1918 to 8 October 1918[A]
John Beeley Rifleman King’s Royal Rifle Corps WWII 21 November 1941*[E]
Beeley was 23 years old, and a rifleman in the 1st Battalion The King`s Royal Rifle Corps of the British army during Operation Crusader in the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 21 November 1941 at Sidi Rezegh, Libya, at an airfield being attacked by Rifleman Beeley’s company, progress was held up by short range fire. All the officers of the company were wounded so, on his own initiative the rifleman ran forward over open ground, firing his Bren gun and at 20 yards range put an anti-tank gun and two machine-guns out of action. He was killed but his bravery inspired his comrades to further efforts to reach their objective, which was eventually captured, together with 100 prisoners.
He is buried in the Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
A street in Openshaw, Manchester, has been named John Beeley Avenue in his honour.
William Bees Private Sherwood Foresters Second Boer War 30 September 1901
William Beesley Private Prince Consort’s Own (Rifle Brigade) WWI 8 May 1918 [E]
Beesley was 22 years old, and a private in the 13th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort`s Own) of the British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
“ On 8th May 1918 at Bucquoy, France, when Private Beesley’s platoon sergeant and all the section commanders were killed he took command. Single-handed he rushed a post, shot four of the enemy, took six prisoners and sent them back to his lines. He and a comrade then brought his Lewis gun into action, inflicting many casualties and holding their position for four hours until the second private was wounded. Private Beesley, by himself, maintained his position until nightfall, when he returned to the original line with the wounded man and the Lewis gun which he kept in action until things had quietened down.
He later achieved the rank of sergeant.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
Harry Beet Corporal Derbyshire Regiment Second Boer War 22 April 1900
Johnson Beharry Private Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment Operation Telic 1 May 2004, 11 June 2004[A]
Douglas Belcher Lance-Sergeant London Regiment WWI 13 May 1915 [E]
Belcher was a lance-sergeant in the 1/5th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (The London Rifle Brigade), British Army, during the First World War, when the deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. He was 25 years old.
VC ACTION
On 13 May 1915, south of the Wieltje-St. Julien Road, Belgium, Belcher was in charge of a portion of an advanced breastwork during continuous bombardment by the enemy. With very few men, Belcher elected to remain and try to hold his position after the troops near him had been withdrawn, and with great skill he succeeded in his objective, opening rapid fire on the enemy, who were only 150-200 yards away, whenever he saw them collecting for an attack. This bold action prevented the enemy breaking through and averted an attack on the flank of one of our divisions.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
Buried in Claygate Surrey.
David Bell Private 24th Regiment of Foot Andaman Islands Expedition 7 May 1867
Donald Bell Temp. Second Lieutenant Green Howards WWI 5 July 1916
Edward Bell Captain Royal Welch Fusiliers Crimean War 20 September 1854
Eric Bell Temp. Captain Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers WWI 1 July 1916*
Frederick Bell Lieutenant West Australian Mounted Infantry Second Boer War 16 May 1901
Mark Bell Lieutenant Royal Engineers First Ashanti Expedition 4 February 1874
Richard Bell-Davies Squadron Commander No. 3 Squadron RNAS WWI 19 November 1915
Edward Bellew Lieutenant 7th Battalion, CEF WWI 24 April 1915
Eugene Bennett Lieutenant Worcestershire Regiment WWI 5 November 1916
Philip Bent Temp. Lieutenant Colonel Leicestershire Regiment First WWI October 1917*
Spencer Bent Drummer East Lancashire Regiment First WWI 1 November 1914
William Beresford Captain 9th Lancers Zulu War 3 July 1879
James Bergin Private 33rd Regiment of Foot Abyssinian War 13 April 1868
John Berryman Sergeant 17th Lancers Crimean War 25 October 1854
Bertram Best-Dunkley Temp. Lieutenant Colonel Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 31 July 1917*
Bhanbhagta Gurung Rifleman 2nd Gurkha Rifles WWII 5 March 1945
Bhandari Ram Sepoy 10th Baluch Regiment WWII 22 November 1944
Edward Bingham Commander HMS Nestor WWI 31 May 1916
Frederick Birks Second Lieutenant 6th Battalion, AIF WWI 21 September 1917
John Bisdee Trooper Tasmanian Colonial Forces Second Boer War 1 September 1900
Billy Bishop Captain No. 60 Squadron RAF WWI 2 June 1917
William Bissett Lieutenant Princess Louises’s (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) WWI 25 October 1918
Arthur Blackburn Second Lieutenant 10th Battalion, AIF WWI 23 July 1916
James Blair Captain 2nd Bombay Light Cavalry Indian Mutiny 12 August 1857, 23 October 1857[A]
Robert Blair Lieutenant 2nd Dragoon Guards Indian Mutiny 28 September 1857
Frank Blaker Major 9th Gurkha Rifles Second WWII 9 July 1944*
William Bloomfield Captain 2nd South African Mounted Brigade WWI 24 August 1916
Andrew Bogle Lieutenant 78th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 29 July 1857
Guy Boisragon Lieutenant 5th Gurkha Rifles Hunza-Naga Campaign 2 December 1891
Charles Bonner Lieutenant HMS Dunraven WWI 8 August 1917
Anthony Booth Colour Sergeant 80th Regiment of Foot Zulu War 12 March 1879
Frederick Booth Sergeant British South Africa Police First WWI 12 February 1917
Albert Borella Lieutenant 26th Battalion, AIF WWI 17 July 1918
Arthur Borton Lieutenant Colonel London Regiment WWI 7 November 1917
Stanley Boughey Second Lieutenant Royal Scots Fusiliers WWI 1 December 1917*
Abraham Boulger Lance Corporal 84th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 12 July 1857 to 25 September 1857[A]
William Boulter Sergeant Northamptonshire Regiment WWI 14 July 1916
Claud Bourchier Lieutenant Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) Crimean War 20 November 1854 [E]
He was 23 years old, and a Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade ( Prince Consorts`s Own ) of the British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 20 November 1854 at Sebastopol, Crimea, Lieutenant Bourchier, with another lieutenant ( William James Montgomery Cuninghame) was with a party detailed to drive the Russians from some rifle pits. Advancing on the pits after dark they launched a surprise attack and drove the Russian riflemen from their cover, but in the fierce fighting which ensued the officer in command of the party was killed. The two lieutenants, however, maintained their advantage, withstood all attacks from the enemy during the night and held the position until relieved next day.
He later achieved the rank of Colonel. In later life he was a member of Boodle`s club in St James’s, London.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum in the former Peninsula Barracks.
Rowland Bourke Lieutenant Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve WWI 9–10 May 1918
George Boyd-Rochfort Second Lieutenant Scots Guards WWI 3 August 1915
Duncan Boyes Midshipman HMS Eurayalus Bombardment of Shimonoseki 6 September 1864
Edward Boyle Lieutenant Commander HMS E14 WWI 27 April 1915
Edward Bradbury Temp. Captain Royal Horse Artillery First WWI 1 September 1914
George Bradford Lieutenant Commander HMS Iris II WWI 22–23 April 1918*
Roland Bradford Temp. Lieutenant Colonel Durham Light Infantry WWI 1 October 1916
Frederick Bradley Driver Royal Field Artillery Second Boer War 26 September 1901
Joseph Bradshaw Private Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) Crimean War 22 April 1855 [E]
Bradshaw was approximately 20 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade ( Prince Consort`s Own ) of the British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 22 April 1855 in the Crimea, Private Bradshaw and another private (Robert Humpston), on their own attacked and captured a Russian rifle pit situated among the rocks overhanging the Woronzoff Road. The pit was occupied every night by the Russians and its capture and subsequent destruction was of great importance.
He later achieved the rank of corporal. He died at St Johns, Limerick, County Limerick 29 August 1893.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum in the former Peninsula Barracks.
William Bradshaw Assistant surgeon 90th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 26 September 1857
Joseph Brennan Bombardier Royal Regiment of Artillery Indian Mutiny 3 April 1858
Alexander Brereton Acting Corporal 8th Battalion, CEF WWI 9 August 1918
Jean Brillant Lieutenant 22nd Battalion, CEF WWI 8–9 August 1918*
Walter Brodie Captain Highland Light Infantry WWII 11 November 1914
Gonville Bromhead Lieutenant 24th Regiment of Foot Zulu War 22–23 January 1879
Cuthbert Bromley Temp. Major Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 25 April 1915
James Brooke Lieutenant Gordon Highlanders WWI 29 October 1914*
Edward Brooks Company Sergeant Major Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry WWI 28 April 1917 [E]
Edward Brooks was born in Oakley, Buckinghamshire, on the 11th of April 1883 and baptised in Oakley Church on the 20th of January 1884. He was one of twelve children of Thomas (born in Oakley in 1855) and Selina Brooks (born in Halesowen, Worcestershire in 1857).
He was 34 years old, and a Company Sergeant Major in the 2/4th Battalion The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry of the British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 28 April 1917 at Fayat, near Saint-Quentin, France, Company Sergeant-Major Brooks, while taking part in a raid on the enemy’s trenches, saw that the front wave was being checked by an enemy machine gun. On his own initiative he rushed forward from the second wave, killed one of the gunners with his revolver and bayoneted another. The remainder of the gun crew then made off, leaving the gun, where upon the company sergeant-major turned it on the retreating enemy, after which he carried it back to Allied lines. His courageous action undoubtedly prevented many casualties and greatly added to the success of the operation.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
Oliver Brooks Lance-Sergeant Coldstream Guards WWI 8 October 1915
Donald Brown Sergeant Otago Infantry Regiment WWI 15 September 1916
Edward Brown Major 14th Hussars Second Boer War 13 October 1900
Francis Brown Lieutenant 1st Bengal European Fusiliers Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
Harry Brown Private 10th Battalion, CEF WWI 16 August 1917*
Peter Brown Trooper Cape Mounted Riflemen Basuto War 8 April 1879
Walter Brown Corporal 20th Battalion, AIF WWI 6 July 1918
Edward Browne Lieutenant 24th Regiment of Foot Zulu War 29 March 1879
Sam Browne Captain 46th Bengal Native Infantry Indian Mutiny 31 August 1858
William Bruce Lieutenant 59th Scinde Rifles WWI 19 December 1914*
John Brunt Temp. Captain Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) WWII 9 December 1944*
Thomas Bryan Lance Corporal Northumberland Fusiliers WWI 9 April 1917
John Buchan Second Lieutenant Princess Louises’s (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) WWI 21 March 1918*
Angus Buchanan Temp. Captain South Wales Borderers WWI 5 April 1916
William Buckingham Private Leicestershire Regiment WWI 10 March 1915 12 March 1915
Alexander Buckley Temp. Corporal 54th Battalion, AIF WWI 1–2 September 1918*
Cecil Buckley Lieutenant HMS Miranda Crimean War 29 May 1855
John Buckley Assistant Commissary Commissariat Department Indian Mutiny 11 May 1857
Maurice Buckley Sergeant 13th Battalion, AIF WWI 18 September 1918
Bryan Budd Corporal Parachute Regiment War in Afghanistan 27 July 2006 20 August 2006*[A]
Patrick Bugden Private 31st Battalion, AIF WWI 26–28 September 1917*
Redvers Buller Brevet Lieutenant Colonel 60th Rifles Zulu War 28 March 1879 [E]
Redvers Buller was born at the family estate of Downes, near Crediton in Devon, inherited by his great-grandfather James Buller (1740-1772) from his mother Elizabeth Gould, the wife of James Buller(1717-1765), MP. Redvers was the son of James Wentworth Buller(1798-1865), MP for Exeter. The Bullers were an old Cornish family, seated at Morvalin Cornwall until their removal to Downes. The family estates inherited by Buller included 2,942 acres of Devon and 2,147 acres of Cornwall, which in 1876 produced an income of £14,137 a year
After completing his schooling at Etonhe was commissioned into the 60th Rifles (King`s Royal Rifle Corps) in May 1858. He took part in the Second Opium Warand was promoted to captainbefore taking part in the Canadian Red River Expedition of 1870. In 1873-1874 he was the intelligence officer under Lord Wolseley during the Ashanti campaign, during which he was slightly wounded at the Battle of Ordabai. He was promoted to majorand appointed CB.
He then served in South Africa during the 9th Cape Frontier Warin 1878 and the Anglo-Zulu Warof 1879. In the Zulu war he commanded the mounted infantry of the northern British column under Sir Evelyn Wood. He fought at the British defeat at the battle of Hlobane, where he was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery under fire. The following day he fought in the British victory at the battle of Kambula. After the Zulu attacks on the British position were beaten off, he led a ruthless pursuit by the mounted troops of the fleeing Zulus. In June 1879, he again commanded mounted troops at the battle of Ulundi, a decisive British victory which effectively ended the war.
His VC citation reads:
“ For his gallant conduct at the retreat at Inhlobana, on the 28th March, 1879, in having assisted, whilst hotly pursued by Zulus, in rescuing Captain C. D’Arcy, of the Frontier Light Horse, who was retiring on foot, and carrying him on his horse until he overtook the rear guard. Also for having on the same date and under the same circumstances, conveyed Lieutenant C. Everitt, of the Frontier Light Horse, whose horse had been killed under him, to a place of safely. Later on, Colonel Buller, in the same manner, saved a trooper of the Frontier Light Horse, whose horse was completely exhausted, and who otherwise would have been killed by the Zulus, who were within 80 yards of him “
n an interview to The Register newspaper of Adelaide, South Australia, dated 2 June 1917, Trooper George Ashby of the Fronier Light Horse (also referred to as “Pullein’s Pets”) attached to the 24th Regiment gave an account of his rescue by Col. Buller: “…it was discovered that the mountain was surrounded by a vast horde of Zulus. An attempt was made to descend on the his little party endeavoured to fight their way down, and at last he and a man named Andrew Gemmell, now living in New Zealand, were the only ones left. With their faces to the foe, firing as they retired, they kept the Zulus at bay. Then an unfortunate thing happened, Cpl. Ashby’s rifle burst, but,— fortunately for him, Col. Buller, afterwards Sir Redvers Buller, who was one of the, party, came galloping by, and offered to ‘take him up behind him. Col. Buller was a heavy man, and his horse was a light one, and realizing this, Cpl. Ashby declined his generous offer. But the Colonel stayed with him, and, Cpl. Ashby having picked up a rifle and ammunition from a fallen comrade, the two men retired, firing whenever a foeman showed himself. They eventually reached the main camp, and for this service, as well as for saving the lives of two fellow-officers on the same occasion, Col. Buller received the Victoria Cross. Out of 500 men who made the attack on the Zjilobane Mountain, more than, 300 met their death.
In the First Boer War of 1881 he was Sir Evelyn Wood`s chief of staff and the following year was again head of intelligence, this time in the Eygpt campaign, and was knighted.
He had married Audrey, the daughter of the 4th Marquess Townsend, in 1882 and in the same year was sent to the Sudan in command of an infantry brigade and fought at the battles of El Teband Tamai, and the expedition to relieve General Gordon in 1885. He was promoted to major-general.
He was sent to Ireland in 1886, to head an inquiry into moonlighting by police personnel. He returned to the Army as Quartermaster-General to the forces the following year and in 1890 promoted to Adjutant-General to the Forces, becoming a Lieutenant General on 1st April 1891.Although expected to be made Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the British Army by Lord Rosebery`s government on the retirement of the Duke of Cambridge in 1895 this did not happen because the government was replaced and Lord Wolseley appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Army instead. On 24th June 1896 Buller was promoted to full General.
Buller became head of the troops stationed at Aldershot in 1898 and was sent as commander of the Natal Field Force in 1899 on the outbreak of the Second Boer War, arriving at the end of October. He was defeated at the Battle of Colenso.
Defeats at the Battle of Magersfontein and Battle of Stormberg also involved forces under his command. Because of concerns about his performance and negative reports from the field he was replaced in January 1900 as overall commander in South Africa by Lord Roberts. Defeats and questionable ability as commander soon earned him the nickname “Reverse Buller” among troops. He remained as second-in-command and suffered two more setbacks in his attempts to relieve Ladysmith at the battles of Spion Kopand Vaal Krantz. On his fourth attempt, Buller was victorious in the Battle of the Tugela Heights, lifting the siege on 28th February 1900. Later he was successful in flanking Boer armies out of positions at Biggarsberg, Laing`s Nek and Lydenburg. It was Buller’s veterans who won the Battle of Bergendal in the war’s last set-piece action.
Buller was also popular as a military leader amongst the public in England, and he had a triumphal return from South Africa with many public celebrations, including those on 10 November 1900 when he went to Aldershot to resume his role as GOC Aldershot District, later to be remembered as “a Buller day”. He spent the following months giving lectures and speeches on the war, was promoted to a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) in Nov 1900, and received the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Plymouth in April 1901.However, his reputation had been damaged by his early reverses in South Africa, especially within the Unionist government. When public disquiet emerged over the continuing guerrilla activities by the defeated Boers, the Minister for War, St. John Brodrick and Lord Roberts sought a scapegoat.The opportunity was provided by the numerous attacks in the newspapers on the performance of the British Army. The matter came to a head when a virulent piece written by The Times journalist, Leo Amery was publicly answered by Buller in a speech on 10th October 1901. Brodrick and Roberts saw their opportunity to pounce, and summoning Buller to an interview on 17th October, Brodrick, with Roberts in support, demanded his resignation on the grounds of breaching military discipline. Buller refused and was summarily dismissed on half pay 22nd October. His request for a court martial was refused, as was his request to appeal to the King.
There were many public expressions of sympathy for Buller, especially in the West Country, where in 1905 by public subscription a notable statue by Adrian Jonesof Buller astride his war horse was erected in Exeter on the road from his home town of Credition (facing away from Crediton to the annoyance of the inhabitants of Crediton.)
Brodrick was soon moved from the war ministry by Arthur Balfour in 1903, and subsequently lost his parliamentary seat when the Liberals returned to power in 1906. The new government showed their appreciation of Buller by offering him a seat. However, Buller refused the offer and continued his quiet retirement, until on 29 May 1907 he accepted the post of Principal Warden of the Goldsmith`s Company which he held until his death in 1908.
He died on 2 June 1908, at the family seat, Downes House, Crediton, Devon, and is buried in the churchyard of Holy Cross Church in Crediton. The entire western side of the chancel arch inside the church forms an elaborate monument to Sir Redvers.
At least one recent historian has been kinder to Buller’s reputation:
“ Buller’s achievements have been obscured by his mistakes. In 1909, a French military critic, General Langlois, pointed out that it was Buller, not Roberts, who had the toughest job of the war — and it was Buller who was the innovator in countering Boer tactics. The proper use of cover, of infantry advancing in rushes, co-ordinated in turn with creeping barrages of artillery: these were the tactics of truly modern war, first evolved by Buller in Natal.“
The town of Redvers, in Canada is named after him, as is the Royal Logistic Corps barracks at Aldershot.
Two adjacent roads, Redvers Road and Buller Road in Wood Green, London, England and likewise in Brighton are named after him. Also Redvers Buller Road in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Adjacent to Baden Powell Road and Lord Roberts Road (after Lord Roberts of Kandahar) and Buller Street in Derby, Derbyshire are named after him.
In Dover there is a small road called Redvers Cottages. However it is unknown whether or not this is indeed named after Redvers Buller.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks
There is a memorial to Buller, in the form of his recumbent effigy, in the north transept of Winchester Cathedral,The inscription reads:
“A great leader — Beloved of his men “
Daniel Burges Temp. Lieutenant Colonel South Wales Borderers WWI 18 September 1918
Hugh Burgoyne Lieutenant HMS Swallow Crimean War 29 May 1855
William Burman Sergeant Prince Consort’s Own (Rifle Brigade) WWI 20 September 1917 [E]
Burman was 20 years old, and a sergeant in the 16th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort`s Own) of the British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
“ During the Battle of Passchendaele on 20 September 1917 south-east of Ypres, Belgium, when the advance of his company was held up by a machine-gun at point-blank range, Sergeant Burman shouted to the men next to him to wait a few minutes and going forward to what seemed certain death killed the enemy gunner and carried the gun to the company’s objective where he used it with great effect. Fifteen minutes later it was seen that about 40 of the enemy were enfilading the battalion on the right. Sergeant Burman and two others ran and got behind them, killing six and capturing two officers and 29 other ranks.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum in London.
Nathaniel Burslem Lieutenant 67th Regiment of Foot Third China War 21 August 1860
Alfred Burt Corporal Hertfordshire Regiment WWI 27 September 1915 Alexander Burton Corporal 7th Battalion, AIF WWI 9 August 1915*
Richard Burton Private Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment WWII 8 October 1944
Christopher Bushell Lieutenant Colonel Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment WWI 23 March 1918
John Butler Lieutenant King’s Royal Rifle Corps WWI 17 November 1914 [E]
Butler was born in on 20th December 1888 to Lt. Col. Francis John Paul Butler and the Hon. Elspeth Butler. He was married, to Alice Amelia of Portfield, Chichester. He was nephew of Lord Gifford, VC. Butler was commissioned into the King`s Royal Rifle Corps in February 1907.
He was 25 years old, and a lieutenant in The King`s Royal Rifle Corps , attached to Pioneer Coy., Gold Coast Regiment, West African Frontier Force, and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 17th November 1914 in the Cameroons, Nigeria.
“ For most conspicuous bravery in the Cameroons, West Africa. On 17th November, 1914, with a party of 13 men, he went into the thick bush and at once attacked the enemy, in strength about 100, including several Europeans, defeated them, and captured their machine gun and many loads of ammunition. On 27th December, 1914, when on patrol duty, with a few men, he swam the Ekam River, which was held by the enemy, alone and in the face of a brisk fire, completed his reconnaissance on the further bank, and returned in safety. Two of his men were wounded while he was actually in the water.
He later achieved the rank of Captain, and was Killed in action at Motomba on 5th September 1916.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
Thomas Butler Lieutenant 1st Bengal European Fusiliers Indian Mutiny 9 March 1858
William Butler Private Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) WWI 6 August 1917
Robert Bye Sergeant Welsh Guards WWI 31 July 1917
James Byrne Private 86th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 3 April 1858
John Byrne Private 68th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 5 November 1854
Thomas Byrne Private 21st Lancers Sudan Campaign 2 September 1898
John Bythesea Lieutenant HMS Arrogant Crimean War 9 August 1854
Thomas Cadell Lieutenant 2nd European Bengal Fusiliers Indian Mutiny 12 June 1857
William Cafe Captain 56th Bengal Native Infantry Indian Mutiny 15 April 1858
John Caffrey Private York and Lancaster Regiment WWI 16 November 1915
Robert Cain Temp. Major South Staffordshire Regiment WWII 17–25 September 1944
George Cairns Lieutenant South Staffordshire Regiment WWII 13 March 1944*[C]
Hugh Cairns Sergeant 46th Battalion, CEF First WWI 1 November 1918*
Thomas Caldwell Sergeant Royal Scots Fusiliers WWI 31 October 1918
Laurence Calvert Sergeant King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) WWI 12 September 1918
Daniel Cambridge Bombardier Royal Regiment of Artillery Crimean War 8 September 1855
Aylmer Cameron Lieutenant 72nd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 30 March 1858
Donald Cameron Lieutenant HMS X6 WWII 22 September 1943
Frederick Campbell Lieutenant 1st Battalion, CEF WWI 15 June 1915*
Gordon Campbell Commander HMS Farnborough WWI 17 February 1917
John Campbell Acting Brigadier Royal Horse Artillery WWII 21–23 November 1941
John Campbell Temp. Lieutenant Colonel Coldstream Guards WWI 15 September 1916
Kenneth Campbell Flying Officer No. 22 Squadron RAF WWII 6 April 1941*
Lorne Campbell Temp. Lieutenant Colonel Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s) WWII 6 April 1943
John Carless Ordinary Seaman HMS Caledon WWI 17 November 1917*
Patrick Carlin Private 13th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 6 April 1858
John Carmichael Sergeant Prince of Wales’s (North Staffordshire Regiment) WWI 8 September 1917
James Carne Lieutenant Colonel Gloucestershire Regiment Korean War 22–23 April 1951
Alfred Carpenter Captain HMS Vindictive WWI 22–23 April 1918
John Carroll Private 33rd Battalion, AIF WWI 7–12 June 1917
Herbert Carter Lieutenant Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Fourth Somaliland Expedition 19 December 1903
Nelson Carter Company Sergeant Major Royal Sussex Regiment WWI 30 June 1916*
Adrian Carton de Wiart Lieutenant Colonel 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards WWI 2–3 July 1916
George Cartwright Private 33rd Battalion, AIF WWI 31 October 1918
Bernard Cassidy Second Lieutenant Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 28 March 1918*
Claud Castleton Sergeant 5th Machine Gun Corps WWI 28–29 July 1916*
George Cates Second Lieutenant Prince Consort’s Own (Rifle Brigade) WWI 8 March 1917* [E]
Cates was born on 9 May 1892 to George and Alice Ann Cates, of Wimbledon, London
He was 24 years old, and a Second lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort`s Own) of the British Army during the First World War and was awarded the VC for his actions on 8 March 1917 at Bouchavesnes, France during which he was killed.
London Gazzette, dated 11 May 1917
“ For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice. When engaged with some other men in deepening a captured trench this officer struck with his spade a buried bomb, which immediately started to burn. 2nd Lt. Gates, in order to save the lives of his comrades, placed his foot on the bomb, which immediately exploded. He showed the most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in performing the act which cost him his life, but saved the lives of others.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
Geoffrey Cather Lieutenant Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria’s) WWI 1 July 1916*
Harry Cator Sergeant East Surrey Regiment WWI 9 April 1917
George Chafer Private East Yorkshire Regiment WWI 3–4 June 1916
James Champion Troop Sergeant Major 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars Indian Mutiny 8 September 1858
George Channer Captain Bengal Staff Corps Perak War 20 December 1875
John Chaplin Ensign 67th Regiment of Foot Third China War 21 August 1860
Edward Chapman Corporal Monmouthshire Regiment Second WWII 2 April 1945
John Chard Lieutenant Royal Engineers Zulu War 22–23 January 1879
Edward Charlton Guardsman Irish Guards Second WWII 21 April 1945*
William Chase Lieutenant 28th Native Infantry Second Afghan War 16 August 1880
Chatta Singh Sepoy 9th Bhopal Infantry WWI 13 January 1916
Noel Chavasse [B] Captain Royal Army Medical Corps WWI 9 August 1916
31 July 1917 to 2 August 1917
Percy Cherry Captain 26th Battalion, AIF WWI 26 March 1917*
Leonard Cheshire Squadron Leader No. 35 Squadron RAF No. 76 Squadron RAF No. 617 Squadron RAF WWII 1940–1944[A]
Chhelu Ram Company Havildar Major 6th Rajputana Rifles WWII 19–20 April 1943*
George Chicken Civilian Indian Naval Brigade Indian Mutiny 27 September 1858
Albert Chowne Lieutenant 2/2nd Battalion, AIF WWII 25 March 1945*
Harry Christian Private King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) WWI 18 October 1915
John Christie Lance Corporal London Regiment WWI 21–22 December 1917 [E]
Christie was 22 years old, and a Lance Corporal in the 1/11th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Finsbury Rifles, British Army during the first World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 21 December/22 December 1917, at Fejja, Palestine, after a position had been captured, the enemy immediately made counter-attacks up the communication trenches. Lance-Corporal Christie, seeing what was happening, took a supply of bombs and went alone about 50 yards in the open along the communication trench and bombed the enemy. He continued to do this in spite of heavy opposition until a block had been established. On his way back he bombed more of the enemy who were moving up the trench. His prompt action cleared a difficult position at a most difficult time and saved many lives
His medal is privately held.
William Clamp Corporal Green Howards WWI 9 October 1917*
George Clare Private 5th Royal Irish Lancers WWI 28–29 November 1917*
James Clarke Sergeant Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 2 November 1918
Leo Clarke Acting Corporal 2nd Battalion, CEF WWI 9 September 1916
William Clark-Kennedy Lieutenant Colonel 24th Battalion, CEF WWI 27–28 August 1918
John Clements Corporal Rimington’s Guides Second Boer War 24 February 1901
Henry Clifford Lieutenant Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) Crimean War 5 November 1854 [E]
Clifford was the third son of Hugh Charles Clifford, 7th Baron Clifford, who died in 1858, by his marriage with Mary Lucy, only daughter of Thomas (afterwards Cardinal) Weld of Lulworth Castle, Dorsetshire. He was born on 12 September 1826 and received his first commission as a second lieutenant in The Rifle Brigade, on 7 August 1846.
He served in South Africa against the Gaikas under Sandili in the following year, and then against the Boers, until their submission at Weinberg on the Vaal river. On the outbreak of another Kaffir War in 1852 he again went to Africa, where he remained until November 1853.
He took part in the Crimean war, where he received the appointment of aide-de-camp to Sir George Brown, commanding the light division, and was present at Alma and Inkerman, and for his gallantry in the latter battle was decorated with the Victoria cross, by leading one of the charges, killing one of the enemy with his sword, disabling another and saving the life of a soldier (5 November 1854).
In May 1855, he was appointed deputy assistant quartermaster-general, and remaining in the Crimea until the conclusion of the war was then promoted to the rank of brevet major, and received the medal and clasps for Alma, Inkerman, Sebastopol and from foreign governments the Legion of Honour and the 5th class of the Medjidie.On the outbreak of hostilities in China he sailed thither, and as assistant quartermaster-general was present at the operations between December 1857 and January 1858 which resulted in the capture of Canton. For his services he received the brevet of lieutenant-colonel, with the China medal and Canton clasp.
On his return to England he commenced a long term of service on the staff; he was assistant quartermaster-general at Aldershot 1860–4, held a similar appointment at headquarters 1865–1868, was aide-de-camp to the commander-in-chief 1870–3, and assistant adjutant-general at headquarters 1873–5. Early in 1879 Clifford was selected to proceed to South Africa to take charge of the communications of Lord Chelsford between Durban and the forces in the field. His task was no light one, for great confusion prevailed at Durban, the port of disembarkation; but by his great experience in staff duties, his knowledge of the requirements of the supply of an army, and, above all, by his familiarity with Kaffir warfare and his indefatigable nature, he very soon reduced everything to order, and his labours were fully acknowledged by Sir Garnet Wolseley.
He was gazetted a C.B. 2 June 1869, and a K.C.M.G. 19 Dec. 1879, and was granted a pension of 100l. for distinguished services 7 Oct. 1874. He was major-general of the eastern district of England from April to September 1882. He died at Ugbrooke, near Chudleigh, Devonshire, 12 April 1883.
Herbert Clogstoun Captain 19th Madras Native Infantry Indian Mutiny 15 January 1859
Brett Cloutman Acting Major Corps of Royal Engineers WWI 6 November 1918
Alexander Cobbe Captain King’s African Rifles Second Somaliland Expedition 6 October 1902
Hugh Cochrane Lieutenant 86th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 1 April 1858
Hampden Cockburn Lieutenant Royal Canadian Dragoons Second Boer War 7 November 1900
William Coffey Private 34th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 29 March 1855
Clifford Coffin Temp. Brigadier General Corps of Royal Engineers WWI 6 July 1917
Nevill Coghill Lieutenant 24th Regiment of Foot Zulu War 22 January 1879*
John Coleman Sergeant 97th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 30 August 1855
Harold Colley Acting Sergeant Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 25 August 1918*
Joseph Collin Second Lieutenant King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) WWI 9 April 1918*
John Collings-Wells Acting Lieutenant Colonel Bedfordshire Regiment WWI 22–27 March 1918*
John Collins Acting Corporal Royal Welsh Fusiliers WWI 31 October 1917
James Collis Gunner Royal Horse Artillery Second Afghan War 27 July 1880
William Coltman Lance Corporal Prince of Wales’s (North Staffordshire Regiment) WWI 3–4 October 1918
Herbert Columbine Private Machine Gun Corps WWI 22 March 1918*
Hugh Colvin Second Lieutenant Cheshire Regiment WWI 20 September 1917
James Colvin Lieutenant Royal Engineers Mohmand Campaign 16 September 1897
Thomas Colyer-Fergusson Acting Captain Northamptonshire Regiment WWI 31 July 1917*
Robert Combe Lieutenant 27th Battalion, CEF WWI 3 May 1917*
John Commerell Commander HMS Weser Crimean War 11 October 1855
Walter Congreve Captain Rifle Brigade Second Boer War 15 December 1899 [E]
Billy Congreve Major Prince Consort’s Own (Rifle Brigade) WWI 6–20 July 1916 [E]
He was at school at Summer Fields School, Oxford and then at Eton, leaving in 1907.On 1st June 1916 he married Pamela Cynthia Maude, the daughter of actors Cyril Maudeand Winifred Emery.
Congreve was 25 years old, and a Major in The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort`s Own) of the British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
“ During the period 6th July to 20th July 1916 at Longueval, France, Major Congreve constantly inspired those round him by numerous acts of gallantry. As Brigade Major he not only conducted battalions up to their positions but when the Brigade headquarters was heavily shelled he went out with the medical officer to remove the wounded to places of safety, although he himself was suffering from gas and other shell effects. He went out again on a subsequent occasion tending the wounded under heavy shell fire. Finally, on returning to the front line to ascertain the position after an unsuccessful attack, he was shot and died instantly.
He was the son of General Sir Walter Norris Congreve, also a Victoria Cross awardee – they are one of only three father and son pairings to win a VC. His younger brother, Geoffrey, first of the Congreve baronets of Congreve, Staffordshire, was a distinguished sailor, awarded the DSO for a raid on Norway and killed in 1941 during a raid on the French coast.
His widow bore a posthumous daughter, Mary Gloria Congreve, born 21st March 1917.Pamela Congreve later remarried, to Brigadier the Hon. William Fraser, in 1919.
William Congreve’s grave is at Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, France, 9 miles east of Amiens, Plot I, Row F, Grave 35. There is also a memorial to him in the form of a plaque in Corbie church, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyenst.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
William Connolly Gunner Bengal Horse Artillery Indian Mutiny 7 July 1857
John Connors Private 3rd Regiment of Foot Crimean War 8 September 1855
John Conolly Lieutenant 49th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 26 October 1854
John Cook Captain 5th Gurkha Rifles Second Afghan War 2 December 1878
Walter Cook Private 42nd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 15 January 1859
Thomas Cooke Private 8th Battalion, AIF WWI 24–25 July 1916*
Edgar Cookson Lieutenant Commander HMS Comet WWI 28 September 1915*
Edward Cooper Sergeant King’s Royal Rifle Corps WWI 16 August 1917 [E]
Cooper was 21 years old, and a Sergeant in the 12th Battalion, The King`s Royal Rifle Corps of the British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place on 16 August 1917 at Langemarck, during the Battle of Passchendaele for which he was awarded the VC.
The citation was published in the London Gazzette on 14th September 1917, and reads:
“ No. R.2794 Sjt. Edward Cooper, K.R.R.C. (Stockton).
For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in attack. Enemy machine guns from a concrete blockhouse, 250 yards away, were holding up the advance of the battalion on his left, and were also causing heavy casualties to his own battalion. Sjt. Cooper, with four men, immediately rushed towards the blockhouse, though heavily fired on. About 100 yards distant he ordered his men to lie down and fire at the blockhouse. Finding this did not silence the machine guns, he immediately rushed forward straight at them and fired his revolver into an opening in the blockhouse. The machine guns ceased firing and the garrison surrendered. Seven machine guns and forty-five prisoners were captured in this blockhouse. By this magnificent act of courage he undoubtedly saved what might have been a serious check to the whole advance, at the same time saving a great number of lives.
He later achieved the rank of Major. His medal is on display at Preston Hall Museum in Stockton. Major Cooper was cremated at Teesside Crematorium.
Henry Cooper Boatswain HMS Miranda Crimean War 3 June 1855
James Cooper Private 24th Regiment of Foot Andaman Islands Expedition 7 May 1867
Frederick Coppins Corporal 8th Battalion, CEF WWI 9 August 1918
Frederick Corbett Lieutenant King’s Royal Rifle Corps Occupation of Egypt 5 August 1882 [E]
Corbett was born on 17th September 1853 in Maldon, Essex. His name at birth was David Embleton
Corbett was 28 years old, and a Private in the 3rd Battalion, The King`s Royal Rifle Corps of the British Army during the 1882 Anglo-Egyptian War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
The Citation in The London Gazette on 16th February 1883 read
“During the reconnaissance upon, Kafr Dower, Egypt, on 5th August 1882, the Mounted Infantry, with which Private Corbett was serving, came under a hot fire from the enemy and suffered some loss, including Lieutenant Howard Vyse, mortally wounded. This officer fell in the open, and there being then no time to move him, Private Corbett asked and obtained permission to remain by him, and though under a constant fire, he sat down and endeavored to stop the bleeding of this officer’s wounds, until the Mounted Infantry received orders to retire, when he rendered valuable assistance in carrying him off the field“
Corbett served in the Army between 1873 and 1891. He was one of eight men whose VCs were forfeited. He was stripped of the medal on 30th July 1884 after being convicted of embezzlement and theft from an officer.
He died in Maldon Union Workhouse on 25th September 1912. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Maldon cemetery. Then a regimental headstone was placed over the grave and in a simple ceremony on 16th April 2004 the headstone which was covered in the regimental flag of the 60th Rifles was unveiled by Lieutenant General Sir Christopher Wallace.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
Jack Cornwell First Class Boy HMS Chester WWI 31 May 1916*[C]
Aubrey Cosens Sergeant Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada WWII 22–23 February 1945*
William Cosgrove Corporal Royal Munster Fusiliers WWI 26 April 1915
Edmond Costello Lieutenant 22nd Punjab Infantry Siege of Malakand 26 July 1897
William Cotter Acting Corporal Buffs (East Kent Regiment) WWI 6 March 1916*[C]
Cornelius Coughlan Colour Sergeant 75th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 8 June 1857
Gustavus Coulson Lieutenant King’s Own Scottish Borderers Second Boer War 18 May 1901*
Jack Counter Private King’s (Liverpool Regiment) WWI 16 April 1918
Gabriel Coury Second Lieutenant Prince of Wales’s Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment) WWI 8 August 1916
Charles Coverdale Sergeant Manchester Regiment WWI 4 October 1917
Charles Cowley Lieutenant Commander Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve WWI 24–25 April 1916*
Christopher Cox Private Bedfordshire Regiment WWI 13 March 1917
James Craig Colour Sergeant Scots Fusiliers Guards Crimean War 6 September 1855
John Craig Second Lieutenant Royal Scots Fusiliers WWI 5 June 1917
Harry Crandon Private 18th Royal Hussars Second Boer War 4 July 1901
Garrett Creagh Captain Bombay Staff Corps Second Afghan War 21 April 1879
Thomas Crean Surgeon Captain Imperial Light Horse Second Boer War 18 December 1901
James Crichton Private Auckland Infantry Regiment WWI 30 September 1918
John Crimmin Surgeon Bombay Medical Service British rule in Burma 1 January 1889
Thomas Crisp Skipper Royal Naval Reserve WWI 15 August 1917*
John Croak Private 13th Battalion, CEF WWI 8 August 1918*
Arthur Cross Lance Corporal Machine Gun Corps WWI 25 March 1918
John Crowe Second Lieutenant Worcestershire Regiment WWI 14 April 1918
Joseph Crowe Lieutenant 78th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 12 August 1857
John Cruickshank Flying Officer No. 210 Squadron RAF WWII 17–18 July 1944
Robert Cruickshank Private London Scottish Regiment WWI 1 May 1918
Victor Crutchley Lieutenant HMS Vindictive WWI 9 May 1918
William Cubitt Lieutenant 13th Bengal Native Infantry Indian Mutiny 30 June 1857
Arthur Cumming Lieutenant-Colonel Frontier Force Regiment WWII 3 January 1942
William Cuninghame Lieutenant Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) Crimean War 20 November 1854 [E]
Montgomery-Cuninghame served in the Crimean War as a Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort`s Own). On 20 November 1854 at Sebastopl, the Crimea, he, with another lieutenant at (Claud Thomas Bourchier) was with a party detailed to drive the Russians from some rifle pits. Advancing on the pits after dark they launched a surprise attack and drove the Russian riflemen from their cover, but in the fierce fighting which ensued the officer in command of the party was killed. The two lieutenants, however, maintained their advantage, withstood all attacks from the enemy during the night and held the position until relieved next day. For their actions they were subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross.
Montgomery-Cuninghame later achieved the rank of Colonel.
Montgomery-Cuninghame sat as Member of Parliament for Aye Burghs from 1874 to 1880. He died in November 1897, aged 63.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum in the former Peninsula Barracks.
John Cunningham Lieutenant East Yorkshire Regiment WWI 13 November 1916
John Cunningham Corporal Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment WWI 12 April 1917*[C]
William Currey Private 53rd Battalion, AIF WWI 1 September 1918
David Currie Major South Alberta Regiment WWII 18–20 August 1944
Albert Curtis Private East Surrey Regiment Second Boer War 23 February 1900
Henry Curtis Boatswain’s Mate Naval Brigade Crimean War 18 June 1855
Horace Curtis Sergeant Royal Dublin Fusiliers WWI 18 October 1918
Philip Curtis Lieutenant Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Korean War 22–23 April 1951*
Roden Cutler Lieutenant Royal Australian Artillery WWII 19 June 1941 to 6 July 1941
James Dalton Assistant Commissary Commissariat and Transport Department Zulu War 22–23 January 1879
Henry Dalziel Driver 15th Battalion, AIF WWI 4 July 1918
John Danaher Trooper Nourse’s Horse First Boer War 16 January 1881
Frederick Dancox Private Worcestershire Regiment WWI 9 October 1917
Edward Daniel Midshipman HMS Diamond Crimean War 18 October 1854
Harry Daniels Company Sergeant Major Prince Consort’s Own (Rifle Brigade) WWI 12 March 1915
Harry Daniels was the 13th child of baker in Wymondham, Norfolk. He joined the army at a young age and served abroad in India.
He was 30 years old, and a Company Sergeant Major in the 2nd Battalion of The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort`s Own) of the British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 12 March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle, France, his unit was ordered into an advance on the German trenches across no-man`s land which was covered by machine guns and strewn with barbed wire. Daniels and another man, Cecil Reginald Noble, voluntarily rushed in front with cutters and attacked the wires They were both wounded at once, Noble dying later of his wounds.
For further activities on the Western Front he was awarded the Military Cross and later achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
A road is named for him in his home town, Wymondham.
Henry D’Arcy Captain Frontier Light Horse Zulu War 3 July 1879
Wilbur Dartnell Temp. Lieutenant Royal Fusiliers WWI 3 September 1915*
Darwan Negi Naik 39th Garhwal Rifles WWI 23–24 November 1914
John Daunt Lieutenant 11th Bengal Native Infantry Indian Mutiny 2 October 1857
Phillip Davey Corporal 10th Battalion, AIF WWI 28 June 1918
James Davies Corporal Royal Welsh Fusiliers WWI 31 July 1917*[C]
John Davies Corporal Prince of Wales’s Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment) WWI 24 March 1918
Joseph Davies Corporal Royal Welsh Fusiliers WWI 20 July 1916
Gronow Davis Captain Royal Regiment of Artillery Crimean War 8 September 1855
James Davis Private 42nd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 15 April 1858
James Dawson Corporal Corps of Royal Engineers WWI 13 October 1915
George Day Lieutenant HMS Recruit Crimean War 17 September 1855
Sidney Day Corporal Suffolk Regiment WWI 26 August 1917
John Daykins Acting Sergeant York and Lancaster Regiment WWI 20 October 1918
Raymond de Montmorency Lieutenant 21st Lancers Sudan Campaign 2 September 1898
Frank de Pass Lieutenant 34th Prince Albert Victor’s Own Poona Horse WWI 24 November 1914*
Edmund de Wind Second Lieutenant Royal Irish Rifles WWI 21 March 1918*
Donald Dean Temp. Lieutenant Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) WWI 24–26 September 1918
Percy Dean Lieutenant Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve WWI 22–23 April 1918
Maurice Dease Lieutenant Royal Fusiliers WWI 23 August 1914*
Denis Dempsey Private 10th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 12 August 1857, 14 March 1858[A]
Tom Derrick Sergeant 26th Brigade, AIF WWII 24 November 1943
Bernard Diamond Sergeant Bengal Horse Artillery Indian Mutiny 28 September 1857
William Dick-Cunyngham Lieutenant 92nd Regiment of Foot Second Afghan War 13 December 1879
Collingwood Dickson Lieutenant-Colonel Royal Regiment of Artillery Crimean War 17 October 1854
Robert Digby-Jones Lieutenant Royal Engineers Second Boer War 6 January 1900
John Dimmer Lieutenant King’s Royal Rifle Corps WWI 12 November 1914 [E]
Dimmer was born on 9th October 1883, Dimmer was 31 years old, married, and a lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, The King`s Royal Rifle Corps and was awarded the VC for his actions on 12th November 1914 at Klein Zillebeke, Belgium.
The London Gazette, 19th November 1914
“ This Officer served his machine gun during the attack on the 12th November at Klein Zillebeke until he had been shot five times – three times by shrapnel and twice by bullets, and continued at his post until his gun was destroyed.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
Thomas Dinesen Private 42nd Battalion, CEF First WWI 12 August 1918
John Divane Private 60th Rifles Indian Mutiny 10 September 1857 [E]
He was approximately 34 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, 60th Rifles (later The Kings Royal Rifle Corps of the British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 10 September 1857 at Delhi, India for which he was awarded the VC:
For distinguished gallantry in heading a successful charge made by the Beeloochee and Seikh Troops on one of the Enemy’s trenches before Delhi, on the 10th of September, 1857. He leaped out of our trenches, closely followed by the Native Troops, and was shot down from the top of the Enemy’s breastworks. Elected by the Privates of the Regiment.
He was born in Carrabane, County Galway and died at 1 New Street, Penzance, Cornwalll on 1 December 1888 and is buried in Penzance cemetery. Apparently only semi-literate, Duane put ‘the tail’ on the wrong side of his ‘u’ on his signature, which led to confusion about the correct spelling of his surname in official records. Duane is one of several soldiers from Carrabane (modern Kilconierin-Lickerrig-Clostoken parish) to fight with distinction in theatres of war throughout the nineteenth century.
Matthew Dixon Captain Royal Regiment of Artillery Crimean War 17 April 1855
Claude Dobson Commander HM Coastal Motor Boat 31 North Russia Relief Force 18 August 1919
Frederick Dobson Private Coldstream Guards WWI 28 September 1914
Dennis Donnini Fusilier Royal Scots Fusiliers WWII 18 January 1945*
Patrick Donohoe Private 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers Indian Mutiny 28 September 1857
John Doogan Private 1st King’s Dragoon Guards First Boer War 28 January 1881
George Dorrell Battery Sergeant Major Royal Horse Artillery WWI 1 September 1914
Eric Dougall Acting Captain Royal Field Artillery WWI 10 April 1918*
Charles Doughty-Wylie Lieutenant Colonel Royal Welsh Fusiliers WWI 26 April 1915*
Campbell Douglas Assistant surgeon 24th Regiment of Foot Andaman Islands Expedition 7 May 1867
Henry Douglas Lieutenant Royal Army Medical Corps Second Boer War 11 December 1899
Angus Douglas-Hamilton Temp. Lieutenant Colonel Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders WWI 25–26 September 1915*
George Dowell Lieutenant Royal Marine Artillery Crimean War 13 July 1855
William Dowling Private 32nd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 4 July 1857, 27 September 1857[A]
John Down Ensign 57th Regiment of Foot New Zealand Land Wars 2 October 1863
Robert Downie Sergeant Royal Dublin Fusiliers WWI 23 October 1916
Alexis Doxat Lieutenant Imperial Yeomanry Second Boer War 20 October 1900
Martin Doyle Company Sergeant Major Royal Munster Fusiliers First WWII 2 September 1918
Job Drain Driver Royal Field Artillery WWI 26 August 1914
Alfred Drake Corporal Prince Consort’s Own (Rifle Brigade) WWI 23 November 1915* [E]
Drake was born in December 1893 in Mile End, Stepney, London to Robert and Mary Ann Drake. He was 21 years old, and a corporal in the 8th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort`s Own) of the British Army during the First World War and was awarded the VC for his actions on 23 November 1915, near La Brique, Belgium. He was killed in his VC action.
The London Gazette No. 29447, 21 January 1916
“ For most conspicuous bravery on the night of 23rd Nov., 1915, near La Brique, France. He was one of a patrol of four which was reconnoitring towards the German lines. The patrol was discovered when close to the enemy who opened heavy fire with rifles and a machine gun, wounding the Officer and one man. The latter was carried back by the last remaining man. Corporal Drake remained with his Officer and was last seen kneeling beside him and bandaging his wounds regardless of the enemy’s fire. Later a rescue party crawling near the German lines found the Officer and Corporal, the former unconcious (sic) but alive and bandaged, Corporal Drake beside him dead and riddled with bullets. He had given his own life and saved his Officer.
He was interred in La Brique No2 Military Cemetery near Ieper.
The officer rescued by Corporal Drake was Lieutenant Henry Tryon also of the Rifle Brigade. After Tryon recovered from his wounds he returned to his former unit and was killed in action at Flers-Courcelette on 15 September 1916.
His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum.
Tom Dresser Private Green Howards WWI 12 May 1917
George Drewry Midshipman Royal Naval Reserve WWI 25 April 1915
Geoffrey Drummond Lieutenant Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve WWI 9–10 May 1918
James Duffy Private Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers WWI 27 December 1917
Thomas Duffy Private 1st Madras European Fusiliers Indian Mutiny 6 September 1857
Frederic Dugdale Lieutenant 5th Lancers Second Boer War 3 March 1901
James Dundas Lieutenant Bengal Engineers Bhutan War 30 April 1865
John Dunlay Lance Corporal 93rd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
Alexander Dunn Lieutenant 11th Hussars Crimean War 25 October 1854
Robert Dunsire Private Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) WWI 26 September 1915
William Dunstan Corporal 7th Battalion, AIF WWI 9 August 1915
John Dunville Second Lieutenant 1st Royal Dragoons WWI 24–25 June 1917*[C]
Alfred Durrant Private Rifle Brigade Second Boer War 27 August 1900 [E]
He was 35 years old, and a Private in the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort`s Own) of the British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place on 27th of August 1900 at the Battle of Bergendal, South Africa, for which he was awarded the VC:
“ At Bergendal, on the 27th August, 1900, Acting-Corporal Wellar having been wounded, and being somewhat dazed, got up from his prone position in the firing line, exposing himself still more to the enemy’s fire, and commenced to run towards them. Private Durrant rose, and pulling him down endeavoured to keep him quiet, but finding this impossible he took him up and carried him back for 200 yards under a heavy fire to shelter, returning immediately to his place in the line.
He later achieved the rank of lance-corporal. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
Thomas Durrant Sergeant Corps of Royal Engineers WWII 27 March 1942*[C]
Edward Dwyer Private East Surrey Regiment WWI 20 April 1915
John Dwyer Sergeant Australian Machine Gun Corps WWI 26 September 1917
Denis Dynon Corporal 53rd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 2 October 1857
George Eardley Acting Sergeant King’s Shropshire Light Infantry WWII 16 October 1944
John Edmondson Corporal 9th Division, AIF WWII 13–14 April 1941*[C]
Alexander Edwards Sergeant Seaforth Highlanders WWI 31 July 1917
Frederick Edwards Private Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) WWI 26 September 1916
Hughie Edwards Pilot Officer No. 105 Squadron RAF WWII 4 July 1941
Thomas Edwards Private Black Watch Sudan Campaign 13 March 1884
Wilfred Edwards Private King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) WWI 16 August 1917
William Edwards Lieutenant Highland Light Infantry Occupation of Egypt 13 September 1882
Ernest Egerton Corporal Sherwood Foresters WWI 20 September 1917
Roland Elcock Captain Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) WWI 15 October 1918
Keith Elliott Sergeant 22nd Battalion, NZEF WWII 15 July 1942
Neville Elliott-Cooper Temp. Lieutenant Colonel Royal Fusiliers WWI 30 November 1917
Howard Elphinstone Lieutenant Corps of Royal Engineers Crimean War 18 June 1855
Wilfrith Elstob Temp. Lieutenant Colonel Manchester Regiment WWI 21 March 1918*
Frederick Elton Brevet Major 55th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 29 March 1855
James Emerson Temp. Second Lieutenant Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers WWI 6 December 1917*
Henry Engleheart Sergeant 10th Hussars Second Boer War 13 March 1900
William English Lieutenant Scottish Horse Second Boer War 3 July 1901
John Erskine Sergeant Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) WWI 22 June 1916
Harold Ervine-Andrews Captain East Lancashire Regiment WWII 31 May 1940 to 1 June 1940
Eugene Esmonde Lieutenant Commander 825 Naval Air Squadron WWII 12 February 1942
Thomas Esmonde Captain 18th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 18 June 1855
Arthur Evans Lance-Sergeant Lincolnshire Regiment WWI 2 September 1918
George Evans Company Sergeant Major Manchester Regiment WWI 30 July 1916
Lewis Evans Acting Lieutenant Colonel Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) WWI 4 October 1917
Samuel Evans Private 19th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 13 April 1855
Donald Farmer Sergeant Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders Second Boer War 13 December 1900
Joseph Farmer Corporal Royal Army Medical Corps First Boer War 27 February 1881
Francis Farquharson Lieutenant 42nd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 9 March 1858
John Farrell Sergeant 17th Lancers Crimean War 25 October 1854
William Faulds Private South African Infantry WWI 18 July 1916
Fazal Din Acting Naik 10th Baluch Regiment WWII 2 March 1945*
Edward Fegen Acting Captain HMS Jervis Bay WWII 5 November 1940*
Alfred Ffrench Lieutenant 53rd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
Alexander Fincastle Lieutenant 16th Lancers Tirah Campaign 17 August 1897
Norman Finch Sergeant Royal Marine Artillery WWI 22–23 April 1918
George Findlater Piper Gordon Highlanders Tirah Campaign 20 October 1897
George Findlay Acting Major Corps of Royal Engineers WWI 4 November 1918
David Finlay Lance Corporal Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) WWI 9 May 1915
Humphrey Firman Lieutenant SS Julnar WWI 24–25 April 1916*
James Firth Sergeant Duke of Wellington’s Regiment Second Boer War 24 February 1900
Frederick Fisher Lance Corporal 13th Battalion, CEF WWI 22–23 April 1915*
Charles Fitzclarence Captain Royal Fusiliers Second Boer War 14 October 1899
Richard Fitzgerald Gunner Bengal Horse Artillery Indian Mutiny 28 September 1857
Andrew Fitzgibbon Hospital Apprentice 67th Regiment of Foot Third China War 21 August 1860
Francis Fitzpatrick Private Connaught Rangers Basuto War 28 November 1879
Thomas Flawn Private Connaught Rangers Basuto War 28 November 1879
Arthur Fleming-Sandes Temp. Second Lieutenant East Surrey Regiment WWI 29 September 1915
Gordon Flowerdew Temp. Lieutenant Colonel Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) WWI 31 March 1918*
Thomas Flynn Drummer 64th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 28 November 1857
Henry Foote Temp. Lieutenant Colonel 7th Royal Tank Regiment WWII 27 May 1942 to 15 June 1942
John Foote Honorary Captain Royal Canadian Army Chaplain Corps WWII 19 August 1942
James Forbes-Robertson Acting Lieutenant Colonel Border Regiment WWI 11–12 April 1918
George Forrest Lieutenant Bengal Veterans Establishment Indian Mutiny 11 May 1857
William Forshaw Lieutenant Manchester Regiment WWI 7–9 August 1915
Samuel Forsyth Sergeant New Zealand Engineers WWI 24 August 1918*
George Fosbery Lieutenant 4th Bengal European Regiment Umbeyla Campaign 30 October 1863
Charles Foss Captain Bedfordshire Regiment WWI 12 March 1915
Edward Foster Corporal East Surrey Regiment WWI 24 April 1917
Edmund Fowler Private 26th Regiment of Foot Zulu War 28 March 1879
Charles Fraser Major 7th Queen’s Own Hussars Indian Mutiny 31 December 1858
Ian Fraser Lieutenant HMS XE3 WWII 31 July 1945
John Freeman Private 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers Indian Mutiny 10 October 1857
John French Corporal 2/9th Battalion, AIF WWII 4 September 1942*
Bernard Freyberg Temp. Lieutenant Colonel Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment WWI 13 November 1916
Samuel Frickleton Lance Corporal New Zealand Rifle Brigade WWI 7 June 1917
Cyril Frisby Acting Captain Coldstream Guards WWI 27 September 1918
Wilfred Fuller Lance Corporal Grenadier Guards WWI 12 March 1915
William Fuller Lance Corporal Welsh Regiment WWI 14 September 1914
Christopher Furness Lieutenant Welsh Guards WWII 17–24 May 1940*
James Fynn Private South Wales Borderers WWI 9 April 1916
Alfred Gaby Lieutenant 28th Battalion, AIF WWI 8 August 1918*
Gaje Ghale Havildar 5th Gurkha Rifles WWII 24 May 1943
Ganju Lama Rifleman 7th Gurkha Rifles WWII 12 June 1944
George Gardiner Sergeant 57th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 22 March 1855
Philip Gardner Captain 4th Royal Tank Regiment WWII 23 November 1941
William Gardner Colour Sergeant 42nd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 5 May 1858
Charles Garforth Corporal 15th The King’s Hussars WWI 23 August 1914
Donald Garland Flying Officer No. 12 Squadron RAF WWII 12 May 1940*
Stephen Garvin Colour Sergeant 60th Rifles Indian Mutiny 23 June 1857 [E]
Garvin was around 31 years old, and a colour – sergeant in the 1st Battalion, 60th Rifles of the British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 23 June 1857 at Delhi, India for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross:
For daring and gallant conduct before Delhi on the 23rd of June, 1857, in volunteering to lead a small party of men, under a heavy fire, to the ” Sammy House,” for the purpose of dislodging a number of the Enemy in position there, who kept up a destructive fire on the advanced battery of heavy guns, in which, after a sharp contest, he succeeded. Also recommended for gallant conduct throughout the operations before Delhi.
He died Chesterton Oxfordshire 23rd November 1874 and is buried in Chesterton Cambridgeshire (not Oxfordshire). The medal in private ownership.
Benjamin Geary Second Lieutenant East Surrey Regiment WWI 20–21 April 1915
Robert Gee Temp. Captain Royal Fusiliers WWI 30 November 1917
Gian Singh Naik 15th Punjab Regiment WWII 2 March 1945
Guy Gibson Wing Commander No. 617 Squadron RAF WWII 16 May 1943[A]
Edric Gifford Lieutenant 24th Regiment of Foot First Ashanti Expedition 1873–1874[D]
Albert Gill Sergeant King’s Royal Rifle Corps WWI 27 July 1916* [E]
He was 36 years old, and a serjeant in the 1st Battalion, The The King`s Royal Rifle Corps of the British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
“ On 27th July 1916 at Delville Wood, France, the enemy made a very strong counterattack on the right flank of the battalion and rushed the bombing post after killing all the company bombers. Sergeant Gill rallied the remnants of his platoon, none of whom were skilled bombers, and reorganised his defences. Soon afterwards the enemy nearly surrounded his men and started sniping at about 20 yards range. Although it was almost certain death, Sergeant Gill stood boldly up in order to direct the fire of his men. He was killed almost at once, but his gallant action held up the enemy advance.
Gill is buried at Delville Wood Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery, Somme, France.
Gill’s Victoria Cross is in the Lord Ashcroft VC Collection at the Imperial War Museum.
Peter Gill Sergeant Major Loodiana Regiment Indian Mutiny 4 June 1857
Horace Glasock Driver Royal Horse Artillery Second Boer War 31 March 1900
William Goat Lance Corporal 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers Indian Mutiny 6 March 1858
Gabar Singh Negi Rifleman 39th Garhwal Rifles WWI 10 March 1915*
Gobind Singh Lance Daffadar 28th Light Cavalry WWI 30 November 1917 to 1 December 1917
Sidney Godley Private Royal Fusiliers WWI 23 August 1914
Herman Good Corporal 13th Battalion, CEF WWI 8 August 1918
Charles Goodfellow Lieutenant Bombay Engineers Indian Mutiny 6 October 1859
Gerald Goodlake Brevet Major Coldstream Guards Crimean War 28 October 1854
Bernard Gordon Lance Corporal 41st Battalion, AIF WWI 26–27 August 1918
James Gordon Private 2/31st Battalion, AIF WWII 10 July 1941
William Gordon Captain Gordon Highlanders Second Boer War 11 July 1900
William Gordon Corporal West India Regiment The Gambia 13 March 1892
Henry Gore-Browne Captain 32nd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 21 August 1857
Robert Gorle Temp. Lieutenant Royal Field Artillery WWI 1 October 1918
James Gorman Seaman Naval Brigade Crimean War 5 November 1854
William Gosling (VC) Sergeant Royal Field Artillery WWI 5 April 1917
Charles Gough Major 5th Bengal European Cavalry Indian Mutiny 15 August 1857,
18 August 1857, 27 January 1858, 3 February 1858[D]
Hugh Gough Lieutenant 1st Bengal European Light Cavalry Indian Mutiny 12 November 1857,
25 February 1858[D]
John Gough Brevet Major Rifle Brigade Third Somaliland Expedition 22 April 1903 [E]
Gough, known as “Johnnie,” was the son of General Sir Charles John Stanley Gough VC, and nephew of General Sir Hugh Henry Gough VC, both of whom won their VCs during the Indian Mutiny in 1857. This gave the family the rare distinction of holding the VC simultaneously by father, brother and (father’s) son. He was also the younger brother of General Sir Hurbert Gough (1870–1963), who led the British Fifth Army on the Western Front during the First World War.
Gough served in British Central Africa (1896); the Sudan (1898); 1898 Occupation of Crete (1898–99), the Second Boer War (1899–1902); and in British Somaliland (1903 and again in 1909). He attended the Army Staff College at Camberley in 1904-05, then returned to the College as a highly influential teacher from 1909-1913.
Gough was 31 years old, and a Brevet Major in The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort`s Own) of the Britsh Army during the Third Somaliland Expeddition when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
“ On 22nd April 1903, Gough was in command of a column on the march which was attacked by an enemy force in superior numbers led by Mohammed Abdullah Hassan near Daratoleh, British Somaliland. After conducting a successful defence, then a fighting withdrawal, Gough came back to help two captains ( William George Walker and George Murray Rolland). The captains were helping a mortally wounded officer. They managed to get the wounded officer onto a camel, but then he was wounded again and died immediately. The two captains won the VC for their actions. However, Gough played down his own part in the event. It was not until late in the year that the true story came out indicating that Gough was equally deserving of recognition. He was subsequently awarded the VC in January 1904. The King presented the medal to him at Buckingham Palace on 29th February 1904. He was appointed Aide-de-Camp to the King in August 1907.
Curragh Incident
Prior to the outbreak of the First World War, Gough was Chief of Staff to Lt-Gen Haig at Aldershot. He played a role in the Curragh Incident in March 1914, in which his brother and other cavalry officers stationed in Ireland threatened to resign rather than coerce Ulster Protestants who had no wish to be part of a Home Rule Ireland. Gough accompanied his brother, who had been suspended from duty, to a meeting in London with the Adjutant-General Ewart (morning of Sunday 22nd March), where Hubert confirmed that he would have obeyed a direct order to move against Ulster. Johnnie was in the War Office on 23rd March, when French (CIGS) agreed to Hubert’s demand that he amend a Cabinet document to promise that the Army would not be used to enforce Home Rule on Ulster. French may have been acting in the belief that the matter needed to be resolved quickly after learning from Haig that afternoon that all the officers of Aldershot Command would resign if Hubert were punished, but was later forced to resign.
First World War
Gough went to France as a Brigadier-General with the British Expeditionary Force and Chief of Staff to Douglas Haig`s I Corps. In early 1915 he continued as Haig’s principal staff officer when Haig was given command of the newly created British First Army. By February 1915 whilst working on planning for the forthcoming attack at Neuve Chapelle, Gough was chosen to command one of the New Army divisions. This appointment was due to commence sometime in March and would have meant his promotion to Major General.
Quotes from Johnnie Gough, VC by Ian F.W. Beckett (1989)
Gough was quoted as making a famous remark in November 1914 that was to be repeated as inspirational in the dark days of March 1918. ‘As he watched the enemy swarming over a low ridge one of his staff said the fight was decided. Gough turned with his eyes ablaze and exclaimed: “God will never let those devils win.”’.
‘Through Johnnie’s death Haig lost a sounding board which was highly constructive yet far from uncritical. Had Johnnie gone on to command a division then it seems almost certain that, as predicted by so many contemporaries, he would have risen much further in the army. Johnnie was a convinced “westerner” in strategic terms and a “fighting general”. The army high command’s commitment to the Western Front and to strategic offensives on that front would not have changed had Johnnie lived, but as he had demonstrated in his Staff College days he was a supreme realist and the conduct of these offensives might well have been modified by his influence with and, especially, by his ability to relate to Douglas Haig’.
On 20th February 1915 Gough was visiting his old battalion, the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, at Fauquissart, about 3 km north of Neuve Chapelle on the front line, about 2 km west of Aubers. His mortal wounding by a sniper there was very unlucky since the single shot that struck him in the abdomen was thought to have been a ricochet fired from approximately 1000 yards distance. He was moved to the 25th Field Ambulance at nearby Estaires, about 7 km behind the front line, where he eventually succumbed to his wound and died in the early morning of 22nd February. He was buried that afternoon in Estaires Communal Cemetery, France located 7 miles south west of Armentieres in Plot II. Row A. Grave 7. Gough was also posthumously knighted, being gazetted KCB on 22th April 1915.
Gough is memorialised in Winchester Cathedral.
Gough’s Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
Thomas Gould Petty Officer HMS Thrasher WWII 16 February 1942
Cyril Gourley Sergeant Royal Field Artillery WWI 30 November 1917
Thomas Grady Private 4th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 18 October 1854
Gerald Graham Lieutenant Corps of Royal Engineers Crimean War 18 June 1855
Patrick Graham Private 90th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 17 November 1857
Reginald Graham Lieutenant Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders WWI 22 April 1917
Charles Grant Lieutenant Indian Staff Corps Anglo-Manipur War 21 March 1891 to 9 April 1891[D]
John Grant Lieutenant 8th Gurkha Rifles Armed Mission to Tibet 6 July 1904
John Grant Sergeant Wellington Infantry Regiment WWI 1 September 1918
Peter Grant Private 93rd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
Robert Grant Sergeant 5th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 24 September 1857
Percival Gratwick Private 2/48th Battalion, AIF WWII 25–26 October 1942*
Robert Gray Temp. Lieutenant HMS Formidable WWII 9 August 1945*
Thomas Gray Sergeant No. 12 Squadron RAF WWII 12 May 1940*
John Grayburn Lieutenant Parachute Regiment WWII 17–20 September 1944*
Fred Greaves Acting Corporal Sherwood Foresters WWI 4 October 1917
John Green Captain Royal Army Medical Corps WWI 1 July 1916*
Patrick Green Private 75th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 11 September 1857
Harry Greenwood Lieutenant Colonel King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) WWI 23–24 October 1918
Milton Gregg Lieutenant Royal Canadian Regiment WWI 27 September 1918 to 1 October 1918[D]
William Gregg Sergeant Prince Consort’s Own (Rifle Brigade) WWI 6 May 1918 [E]
He was 28 years old, and a sergeant in the 13th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own), British Army during the First World War when he performed a deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
On the 6th of May 1918 at Bucquoy, France, when all the officers of Sergeant Gregg’s company had been hit during an attack on an enemy outpost, he took command, rushing two enemy posts, killing some of the gun teams, taking prisoners and capturing a machine-gun. He then started to consolidate his position until driven back by a counter-attack, but as reinforcements had by now come up, he led a charge, personally bombed a hostile machine-gun, killed the crew and captured the gun. When driven back again, he led another successful attack and held on to his position until ordered to withdraw.
Further information
He later achieved the rank of company sergeant-major and served in World War II with the Sherwood Foresters.
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets / Rifles Museum in Winchester.
William lived in Heanor, Derbyshire, and as testament to his deeds of gallantry when the town’s new swimming baths were built in 1970 they were named the ‘William Gregg V.C Swimming Baths’ in his honour.
That recognition was continued when the facilities were extended and privatised in 2009-10 as the ‘William Gregg V.C. Leisure Centre.
Francis Grenfell Captain 9th Lancers WWI 24 August 1914
Julian Gribble Temp. Captain Royal Warwickshire Regiment WWI 23 March 1918
John Grieve Sergeant Major Royal Scots Greys Crimean War 25 October 1854
Robert Grieve Captain 37th Battalion, AIF WWI 7 June 1917
William Griffiths Private 24th Regiment of Foot Andaman Islands Expedition 7 May 1867
William Grimbaldeston Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant King’s Own Scottish Borderers WWI 16 August 1917
John Grimshaw Corporal Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 25 April 1915
George Gristock Company Sergeant Major Royal Norfolk Regiment WWII 21 May 1940*[C]
George Grogan Temp. Brigadier General Worcestershire Regiment WWI 27 May 1918
John Guise Major 90th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
George Gunn Second Lieutenant 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery WWII 21 November 1941*
Arthur Gurney Private 2/48th Battalion, AIF WWII 22 July 1942*
Basil Guy Midshipman Naval Brigade Boxer Rising 13 July 1900
Thomas Hackett Lieutenant 23rd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 18 November 1857
William Hackett Sapper Corps of Royal Engineers WWI 22–23 June 1916*
Reginald Haine Second Lieutenant Honourable Artillery Company WWI 28–29 April 1917
Thomas Hale Assistant surgeon 7th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 8 September 1855
Arthur Hall Corporal 54th Battalion, AIF WWI 1 September 1918
Frederick Hall Company Sergeant Major 8th Battalion, CEF WWI 23–24 April 1915*
William Hall Able Seaman HMS Shannon Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
Lewis Halliday Captain Royal Marine Light Infantry Boxer Rising 24 June 1900
Joel Halliwell Lance Corporal Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 27 May 1918
Rupert Hallowes Temp. Second Lieutenant Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) WWI 25–30 September 1915*
Albert Halton Private King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) WWI 12 October 1917
John Hamilton Acting Lance Corporal Highland Light Infantry WWI 25–26 September 1917
John Hamilton Private 3rd Battalion, AIF WWI 9 August 1915
Thomas Hamilton Captain 68th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 11 May 1855
Walter Hamilton Lieutenant Corps of Guides Second Afghan War 2 April 1879*
Arthur Hammond Captain Corps of Guides Second Afghan War 14 December 1879
Harry Hampton Sergeant King’s (Liverpool) Regiment Second Boer War 21 August 1900
Thomas Hancock Private 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers Indian Mutiny 19 June 1857
Robert Hanna Company Sergeant Major 29th Battalion, CEF WWI 21 August 1917
John Hannah Sergeant No. 83 Squadron RAF WWII 15 September 1940
Percy Hansen Captain Lincolnshire Regiment WWI 9 August 1915
Henry Harden Lance Corporal Royal Army Medical Corps WWII 23 January 1945
William Hardham Farrier Sergeant Major 4th New Zealand Contingent Second Boer War 28 January 1901
Israel Harding Gunner HMS Alexandra Occupation of Egypt 11 July 1882
Theodore Hardy Chaplain Royal Army Chaplains’ Department WWI 7 July 1918
Hastings Harington Lieutenant Bengal Horse Artillery Indian Mutiny 14–22 November 1857
John Harman Lance Corporal Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment WWII 8–9 April 1944*
John Harper Corporal York and Lancaster Regiment WWII 29 September 1944*
Thomas Harris Sergeant Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) WWI 9 August 1918*
Arthur Harrison Lieutenant Commander HMS Vindictive WWI 22–23 April 1918*
John Harrison Leading Seaman Naval Brigade Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
John Harrison Second Lieutenant East Yorkshire Regiment WWI 3 May 1917*
Reginald Hart Lieutenant Royal Engineers Second Afghan War 31 January 1879
Henry Hartigan Pensioned Sergeant 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers Indian Mutiny 8 June 1857, 10 October 1857
Edmund Hartley Surgeon Major Cape Mounted Riflemen Basuto War 5 June 1879
Francis Harvey Major Royal Marine Light Infantry WWI 31 May 1916*
Frederick Harvey Lieutenant Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) WWI 27 March 1917
Jack Harvey Private London Regiment WWI 2 September 1918
Norman Harvey Private Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers WWI 25 October 1918
Samuel Harvey Private York and Lancaster Regiment WWI 29 September 1915
Henry Havelock-Allan Lieutenant 10th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 16 July 1857
Lanoe Hawker Captain No. 6 Squadron RFC WWI 25 July 1915
David Hawkes Private Rifle Brigade Indian Mutiny 11 March 1858* [E]
Hawkes was 35 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade ( Prince Consort`s Own of the British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he, Henry Wilmot and William Nash were awarded the VC:
Rifle Brigade, 2nd Battalion. Private David Hawkes
Date of Act of Bravery, 11th March, 1858
” For conspicuous gallantry at Lucknow on the 11th March, 1858. Captain Wilmot’s Company was engaged with :a large body of the enemy, near the Iron Bridge. That officer found himself at the end of a street with only four of his men, opposed to a considerable body. One of the four was shot through both legs, and became utterly helpless: the two men lifted him up, and although Private Hawkes was severely wounded, he carried him for a considerable distance, exposed to the fire of the enemy, Captain Wilmot firing with the men’s rifles, and covering the retreat of the party. Despatch of Brigadier-General Walpole, C.B., dated 20th of March, 1858
He was Killed in action at Faizabad, British India, on 14 August 1858. His VC is located at The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.
Robert Hawthorne Bugler 52nd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 14 September 1857 [E]
He was approximately 35 years old, and a Bugler in the 52nd ( Oxfordshire ) Regiment of Foot (later the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry) of the British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed at Delhi took place for which he was awarded the VC:
52nd Regiment, Bugler Robert Hawthorne
Date of Act of Bravery, 14th September, 1857
“ Bugler Hawthorne, who accompanied the explosion party, not only performed the dangerous duty on which he was employed, but previously attached himself to Lieutenant Salkeld, of the Engineers, when dangerously wounded, bound up his wounds under a heavy musketry fire, and had him removed without further injury.“
He died in Manchester, Lancashire on 2 February 1879.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum in the former Peninsula Barracks.
Reginald Hayward Acting Captain Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment) WWI 21–22 March 1918
Charles Heaphy Major Auckland Militia New Zealand Land Wars 11 February 1864
Alfred Heathcote Lieutenant 60th Rifles Indian Mutiny June to September 1857[D] [E]
Heathcote was 25 years old, and a lieutenant in the 60th Rifles ( Later The Kings Royal Rifle Corps ) of the British Army during the Indian Mutinywhen the following deed took place at the Seige of Delhi for which he was awarded the VC:
60th Rifles, Lieutenant Alfred Spencer Heathcote
“ For highly gallant and daring conduct at Delhi throughout the Siege, from June to September, 1857, during which he was wounded. He volunteered for services of extreme danger, especially during the six days of severe fighting in the streets after the Assault. Elected by the Officers of his Regiment.
He later achieved the rank of colonel and emigrated to Australia. He is buried at St James Anglican Churchyard, Bowral, New South Wales, Australia (Grave to left of entrance. Headstone). There is also a memorial for him at St. James’ Anglican Church, Sydney, New South Wales
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Victoria Barracks in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
William Heaton Private King’s (Liverpool) Regiment Second Boer War 23 August 1900
Michael Heaviside Private Durham Light Infantry WWI 6 May 1917
Frederick Hedges Temp. Lieutenant Bedfordshire Regiment WWI 24 October 1918
Arthur Henderson Acting Captain Princess Louises’s (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) WWI 23 April 1917*
Edward Henderson Temp. Lieutenant Colonel Prince of Wales’s (North Staffordshire Regiment) WWI 25 January 1917*
George Henderson Captain Manchester Regiment Arab Revolt 24 July 1920*
Herbert Henderson Trooper Bulawayo Field Force Matabeleland Rebellion 30 March 1896
Clement Heneage-Walker Captain 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars Indian Mutiny 17 June 1858
Andrew Henry Sergeant Royal Regiment of Artillery Crimean War 5 November 1854
Alfred Herring Temp. Second Lieutenant Royal Army Service Corps WWI 23–24 March 1918
William Hewett Lieutenant HMS Beagle Crimean War 26 October 1854
James Hewitson Lance Corporal King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) WWI 26 April 1918
Dennis Hewitt Second Lieutenant Hampshire Regiment WWI 31 July 1917*
William Hewitt Lance Corporal 2nd South African Light Infantry WWI 20 September 1917
Alan Hill Lieutenant Northamptonshire Regiment First Boer War 28 January 1881
Albert Hill Private Royal Welsh Fusiliers WWI 20 July 1916
Samuel Hill Sergeant 90th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
James Hills Second Lieutenant Bengal Horse Artillery Indian Mutiny 9 July 1857
George Hinckley Able Seaman Naval Brigade Taiping Rebellion 9 October 1862
Jack Hinton Sergeant 2nd Division, NZEF WWII 29 April 1941
David Hirsch Acting Captain Green Howards WWI 23 April 1917
Frederick Hitch Private 24th Regiment of Foot Anglo-Zulu War 22–23 January 1879
Frederick Hobson Sergeant 1st Battalion, CEF WWI 18 August 1917*
Samuel Hodge Private West India Regiment The Gambia 30 June 1866
Charles Hoey Temp. Major Lincolnshire Regiment WWII 16 February 1944*
John Hogan Sergeant Manchester Regiment WWI 29 October 1914
Norman Holbrook Lieutenant HMS B11 WWI 13 December 1914
Edward Holland Sergeant Royal Canadian Dragoons Second Boer War 7 November 1900
John Holland Lieutenant Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment WWI 3 September 1916
George Hollis Farrier 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars Indian Mutiny 17 June 1858
Stanley Hollis Company Sergeant Major Green Howards WWII 6 June 1944
James Hollowell Private 78th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 26 September 1857
Frederick Holmes Lance Corporal King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) WWI 26 August 1914
Joel Holmes Private 84th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 25 September 1857
Thomas Holmes Private 2nd Battalion, CEF WWI 26 October 1917
William Holmes Private Grenadier Guards WWI 9 October 1918*
Anthony Home Surgeon 90th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 26 September 1857
Duncan Home Lieutenant Bengal Sappers and Miners Indian Mutiny 14 September 1857
Samuel Honey Lieutenant 78th Battalion, CEF WWI 27 September to 2 October 1918*[D]
Alfred Hook Private 24th Regiment of Foot Anglo-Zulu War 22–23 January 1879
William Hope Lieutenant 7th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 18 June 1855
Alexander Hore-Rithven Captain Highland Light Infantry Sudan Campaign 22 September 1898
Ernest Horlock Bombardier Royal Field Artillery WWI 15 September 1914
David Hornell Bombardier No. 162 Squadron RCAF WWII 24 June 1944*
Basil Horsfall Second Lieutenant East Lancashire Regiment WWI 21 March 1918*
Alec Horwood Lieutenant Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) WWII 18–20 January 1944*
William House Private Royal Berkshire Regiment Second Boer War 2 August 1900
George Howell Corporal 1st Battalion, AIF WWI 6 May 1917
Neville Howse Captain New South Wales Army Medical Corps Second Boer War 24 July 1900
Charles Hudson Lieutenant Colonel Sherwood Foresters WWI 15 June 1918
James Huffam Second Lieutenant Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) WWI 31 August 1918
Mathew Hughes Private 7th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 7 June 1855 18 June 1855[D]
Thomas Hughes Private Connaught Rangers WWI 3 September 1916
Charles Hull Private 21st Lancers WWI 5 September 1915
Alfred Hulme Sergeant 2nd Division, NZEF WWII 20–28 May 1941
Robert Humpston Private Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) Crimean War 22 April 1855 [E]
Humpston was about 23 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade ( Prince Consort`s Own ) of the British Army during during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 22 April 1855 in the Crimea Private Humpston and Private Joseph Bradshaw, on their own, attacked and captured a Russian rifle pit situated among the rocks overhanging the Woronzoff Road. The pit was occupied every night by the Russians and its capture and subsequent destruction was of great importance.
Following his death in 1884 Robert Humpston was buried in a pauper’s grave. In September 2007, following a two year campaign to raise £1,200 to get a headstone for Pte Humpston, his grave was dedicated in a ceremony at Nottingham Cemetery.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum in the former Peninsula Barracks.
David Hunter Corporal Highland Light Infantry WWI 16–17 September 1918
Thomas Hunter Temp. Corporal 43 Commando WWII 2 April 1945*
Bellenden Hutcheson Captain Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps WWI 2 September 1918
James Hutchinson Private Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 28 June 1916
Arthur Hutt Private Royal Warwickshire Regiment WWI 4 October 1917
Alfred Ind Shoeing Smith Royal Horse Artillery Second Boer War 20 December 1901
George Ingouville Captain of the Mast HMS Arrogant Crimean War 13 July 1855
George Ingram Lieutenant 24th Battalion, AIF WWI 4 October 1918
Edgar Inkson Lieutenant Royal Army Medical Corps Second Boer War 24 February 1900
James Innes Lieutenant Bengal Sappers and Miners Indian Mutiny 23 February 1858
Gilbert Insall Second Lieutenant No. 11 Squadron RFC WWI 7 November 1915
Reginald Inwood Private 10th Battalion, AIF WWI 19–22 September 1917
Charles Irwin Private 53rd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
Ishar Singh Sepoy 28th Punjab Regiment Waziristan Campaign 10 April 1921
Albert Jacka Lance Corporal 14th Battalion, AIF WWI 19–20 May 1915
James Jackman Temp. Captain Royal Northumberland Fusiliers WWII 25 November 1941*
Harold Jackson Sergeant East Yorkshire Regiment WWI 22 March 1918
Norman Jackson Sergeant No. 106 Squadron RAF WWII 26 April 1944
Thomas Jackson Lance Corporal Coldstream Guards WWI 27 September 1918*
William Jackson Private 17th Battalion, AIF WWI 25 June 1916
Herbert James Second Lieutenant Worcestershire Regiment WWI 28 June 1915
Manley James Temp. Captain Gloucestershire Regiment WWI 21–23 March 1918
David Jamieson Captain Royal Norfolk Regiment WWII 7–8 August 1944
George Jarratt Corporal Royal Fusiliers WWI 3 May 1917*
Hanson Jarrett Lieutenant 26th Bengal Native Infantry Indian Mutiny 14 October 1858
Charles Jarvis Lance Corporal Corps of Royal Engineers WWI 23 August 1914
Joseph Jee Surgeon 78th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 25 September 1857
Francis Jefferson Fusilier Lancashire Fusiliers WWII 16 May 1944
Clarence Jeffries Captain 34th Battalion, AIF WWI 12 October 1917*
Edward Jennings Rough Rider Bengal Horse Artillery Indian Mutiny 14–22 November 1857
Jørgen Jensen Private 50th Battalion, AIF WWI 2 April 1917
Henry Jerome Captain 86th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 3 April 1858
Alan Jerrard Lieutenant No. 66 Squadron RFC WWI 30 March 1918
Dudley Johnson Acting Lieutenant Colonel Royal Sussex Regiment WWI 4 November 1918
Frederick Johnson Temp. Second Lieutenant Corps of Royal Engineers WWI 25 September 1915
James Johnson Second Lieutenant Northumberland Fusiliers WWI 14 October 1918
William Johnson Sergeant Sherwood Foresters WWI 3 October 1918
Robert Johnston Captain Imperial Light Horse Second Boer War 21 October 1899
William Johnston Captain Corps of Royal Engineers WWI 14 September 1914
William Johnstone Stoker HMS Arrogant Crimean War 9 August 1854
Alfred Jones Lieutenant 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers Indian Mutiny 8 June 1857
David Jones Sergeant King’s (Liverpool Regiment) WWI 3 September 1916
Henry Jones Captain 7th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 7 June 1855
Herbert Jones Colonel Parachute Regiment Falklands War 28 May 1982*
Loftus Jones Commander HMS Shark WWI 31 May 1916*
Richard Jones Temp. Lieutenant Loyal North Lancashire Regiment WWI 21 May 1916*
Robert Jones Private 24th Regiment of Foot Anglo-Zulu War 22–23 January 1879
Thomas Jones Private Cheshire Regiment WWI 25 September 1916
William Jones Private 24th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 22–23 January 1879
Eustace Jotham Captain 51st Sikhs WWI 7 January 1915*
William Joynt Lieutenant 8th Battalio, AIF WWI 23 August 1918
Reginald Judson Sergeant New Zealand and Australian Division WWI 26 August 1918
Joseph Kaeble Corporal 22nd Battalion, CEF WWI 8 June 1918
Kamal Ram Sepoy 8th Punjab Regiment WWII 12 May 1944
Karamjeet Judge Lieutenant 15th Punjab Regiment WWII 18 March 1945*
Karanbahadur Rana Rifleman 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles WWI 10 April 1918
Thomas Kavanagh Civilian Bengal Civil Service Indian Mutiny 9 November 1857
Richard Keatinge Major Bombay Artillery Indian Mutiny 17 March 1858
Joseph Kellaway Boatswain Third Class HMS Wrangler Crimean War 31 August 1855
Richard Kelliher Private 2/25th Battalion, AIF WWII 13 September 1943
Robert Kells Lance Corporal 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers Indian Mutiny 28 September 1857
Henry Kelly Temp. Second Lieutenant Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) WWI 4 October 1916
William Kenealy Private Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 25 April 1915
Edward Kenna Private 2/4th Battalion, AIF WWII 15 May 1945
Paul Kenna Captain 21st Lancers Sudan Campaign 2 September 1898
John Kenneally Lance Corporal Irish Guards WWII 28 April 1943
Charles Kennedy Private Highland Light Infantry Second Boer War 22 November 1900
Henry Kenny Private Loyal North Lancashire Regiment WWI 25 September 1915
James Kenny Private 53rd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
Thomas Kenny Private Durham Light Infantry WWI 4 November 1915
Thomas Kenny Private 2nd Battalion, AIF WWI 9 April 1917
William Kenny Drummer Gordon Highlanders WWI 23 October 1914
William Kenny Lieutenant 39th Garhwal Rifles Waziristan Campaign 2 January 1920*
Allan Ker Lieutenant Gordon Highlanders WWI 21 March 1918
George Kerr Lieutenant 3rd Battalion, CEF WWI 27 September 1918
John Kerr Private 4th Battalion, CEF WWI 16 September 1916
William Kerr Lieutenant 24th Bombay Native Infantry Indian Mutiny 10 July 1857
Geoffrey Keyes Temp. Lieutenant Colonel No. 11 (Scottish) Commando WWII 17–18 November 1941*
Leonard Keysor Private 1st Battalion, AIF WWI 7 August 1915
Leonard Keyworth Lance Corporal London Regiment WWI 25–26 May 1915
Khudadad Khan Sepoy 129th Duke of Connaught’s Own Baluchis WWI 31 October 1914
William Kibby Sergeant 2/48th Battalion, AIF WWII 23–31 October 1942*
Arthur Kilby Captain South Staffordshire Regiment WWI 25 September 1915*
Bruce Kingsbury Private 2/14th Battalion, AIF WWII 29 August 1942
Cecil Kinross Private 49th Battalion, CEF WWI 30 October 1917
Frank Kirby Corporal Royal Engineers Second Boer War 2 June 1900
James Kirk Second Lieutenant Manchester Regiment WWI 4 November 1918*
John Kirk Private 10th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 4 June 1857
Alfred Knight Sergeant Post Office Rifles WWI 20 September 1917 [E]
Alfred Joseph Knight was born in 1888 in Ladywood, Birmingham. He married Mabel Saunderson in 1915 and worked as a Clerical Assistant in the North Midland Engineering District prior to the outbreak of war.
The Great War began on the 28th of July 1914 and Alfred, keen to offer his services in the name of his King and country joined the Post Office Rifles three months later on the 26th October 1914. The Rifles moved to Northern France in May 1917 where they would see their first major action at the Second Battle of Bullecourt.
The Second Battle of Bullecourt was a further attempt at penetrating the German lines after the initial assault failed (The First Battle of Bullecourt). Before the offensive was called off on May the 17th 1917, Knight distinguished himself with an act of bravery that saw him bringing back wounded soldiers under heavy enemy fire and it was this action that saw Alfred promoted to Sergeant.
Sergeant Alfred Knight and the Post Office Rifles went on to fight at the Battle for Wurst Farm Ridge, Ypres on the 20th of September 1917 and it was during this battle that Knight’s act of gallantry saw him be awarded with the Victoria Cross. Alfred charged the enemy and single handedly captured an enemy position with no regard for his own safety whatsoever. Knight was presented with the Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace on January 3rd, 1918 by King George V.
It is also noted that as an extraordinary soldier, who was ready to improvise in Theatre of War, Sergeant Alfred Knight rushed through a group of enemy soldiers who were causing casualties at Hubner Farm bayoneted two, shot one and caused the rest to scarper. It was acts of bravery such as this that made Alfred Knight one of the standout soldiers in the Post Office Rifles.
After the war Alfred Knight worked at the Ministry of Labour, managing the Employment Exchange. He later went on to become the Senior Wages Inspector in the Midlands section of the Ministry of Labour and retired in 1951. In that same year he was made a member of the Order of The British Empire.
Sergeant Alfred Knight died aged 72 at his home on the 4th of December 1960.
Arthur Knight Acting Sergeant 10th Battalion, CEF WWI 2 September 1918*
Henry Knight Corporal King’s (Liverpool) Regiment Second Boer War 21 August 1900
George Knowland Lieutenant No. 1 Commando WWI 31 January 1945*
Cecil Knox Temp. Second Lieutenant Corps of Royal Engineers WWI 22 March 1918
John Knox Sergeant Scots Fusiliers Guards Crimean War 20 September 1854
Born in Glasgow on 30th September 1828, Knox joined the British Army at the age of 14. He was under-age, but was unusually tall, he was promoted to corporal before reaching the age of 18.
Crimean War
By the time of the Crimean War he was serjeant in the Scots Fusilier Guards (now called simply the Scots Guards). The British and French forces began to land on the Crimean Peninsula on 14th September 1854. On 19th September the combined forces moved off toward Sebastopol and on 20th September came the first major engagement of the campaign, the Battle of the Alma.
The Scots Fusilier Guards were part of the 1st Division, brigaded with 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards and 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, the division’s other brigade was the Highland Brigade. The division was at the extreme left of the Allied line (furthest inland), and initially in reserve to the Light Division. The two divisions halted a short distance before the Alma River, the Russians having taken up defensive positions just the other side of river. Here, on the further side of the river the British troops faced first fording the river itself, climbing the bank on its far side, then after a small amount of level ground, a further relatively low, but steep bank, and then a gradual upward slope, at the top of which the Russians had built an earthworks armed with artillery. The British contingents were ordered forward at about 14:45, the French having managed to force a crossing further downstream, near the river’s mouth. The Light Division crossed first, but were thrown into confusion by the Russian artillery, and began to withdraw. The Guards’ Brigade was ordered forward, and crossed the river. The battalions began re-establishing their ranks on the other side having scrambled up both of the banks on that side of the river. The brigadier ordered them forward without delay, and the Scots, in the middle of the Guards’ line obeyed. They began their advance, but the retreating troops of the Light Division broke their line, and some of the Scots Guards joined the retreat. Officers and others, prominent among them Knox, regained control, and rallied much of the battalion. It was this action which was the first of those for which he was eventually awarded the VC. Four other Scots Guards were also to be awarded the VC for their actions that day. In a letter to his family, he described the battle:
The scene that met my gaze was the most awful description: it made me shudder. The bodies of our opponents were so thick on the ground that for some distance I had to go on tiptoe to pass without touching … the enemy cheered, and endeavoured to drive us back; however, we stuck to them until we were masters.
He was commissioned (without purchase) into the 93rd Regiment of Foot as an ensign on 27 February 1855. On 20 April 1855 he was transferred to the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) as a lieutenant, and his original commission was backdated to 5 November 1854.
On 18th June 1855, Knox volunteered for the ladder party in the attack on the Redan, an attempt to finish the Siege of Sevastopol, he was struck by a Russian cannonball, removing part of his left arm. His actions that day also contributed toward his receiving the VC. His Crimea Medal shows that he also fought at the Battle of Balaclava and the Battle of Inkerman.
On 29th January 1856 Queen Victoria signed the warrant creating the Victoria Cross with the intention of rewarding acts of valour in the Crimean War. Knox’s own VC was not gazetted until 24th February 1857, by which time he had already been made a Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur by an Imperial decree of 16 June 1856. His VC citation read:
War Office, 24th February, 1857.
THE Queen has been graciously pleased to signify Her intention to confer the Decoration of the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned Officers and Men of Her Majesty’s Navy and Marines, and Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men of Her Majesty’s Army, who have been recommended to Her Majesty for that Decoration,—in accordance with the rules laid down in Her Majesty’s Warrant of the 29th of January, 1856—on account of acts of bravery performed by them before the Enemy during the late War, as recorded against their several names, viz. :—
2nd Bat. Rifle Brigade Lieutenant John Knox
When serving as a Serjeant in the Scots Fusilier Guards, Lieutenant Knox was conspicuous for his exertions in reforming the ranks of the Guards at the Battle of the Alma.
Subsequently, when in the Rifle Brigade, he volunteered for the ladder-party in the attack on the Redan, on the 18th of June, and (in the words of Captain Blackett, under whose command he was) behaved admirably, remaining on the field until twice wounded.
He was among the 62 men at the first presentation of the VC, made by Queen Victoria in Hyde Park, London on 26th June 1857. His action at the Alma was the earliest for which a VC was awarded to a member of the British Army—earlier actions leading to the award of a VC were carried out by members of the Royal Navy.
Later life
Despite the loss of his arm, he continued to serve, and was appointed an Instructor of Musketry on 7th January 1858, and promoted captain on 30th April. On 15th June 1866 he was appointed Inspector of Musketry for the South Western District. He briefly returned to regimental duties from 22nd January 1872, and on his retirement from the army on 8th June 1872 was granted a brevet majority. He took up residence at Cheltenham where he died on 8th January 1897, and was buried in the town’s cemetery where three other VC recipients also lie.
Sale of medals
In March 2010 it was announced that his VC is to be sold at auction in May by medal and coin specialists Spink’s, with an estimated price of £100,000–120,000. His VC was sold along with his Crimean War campaign medals, insignia of the Légion d’honneur, and the Russian cannonball which caused the partial loss of his left arm at the Redan. No details of the current owner have been given. The sale took place on 22nd April 2010 with the medal and the cannonball being sold for £252,000 ($387,500) to an anonymous buyer.
Filip Konowal Acting Corporal 47th Battalion, CEF WWI 22–24 August 1917
Kulbir Thapa Rifleman 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles WWI 25 September 1915
Lachhiman Gurung Rifleman 8th Gurkha Rifles WWII 12–13 May 1945
Alexander Lafone Major 1st County of London Yeomanry WWI 27 October 1917*
Daniel Laidlaw Piper King’s Own Scottish Borderers WWI 25 September 1915
Lala Lance Naik 41st Dogras WWI 21 January 1916
Lalbahadur Thapa Subadar 2nd Gurkha Rifles WWII 5–6 April 1943
George Lambert Sergeant Major 84th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 29 June 1857, 16 August 1857, 25 September 1857
Thomas Lane Private 67th Regiment of Foot Third China War 21 August 1860
Arthur Lascelles Acting Captain Durham Light Infantry WWI 3 December 1917
Anders Lassen Temp. Major Special Air Service WWII 8–9 April 1945*
David Lauder Private Royal Scots Fusiliers WWI 13 August 1915
Thomas Laughnan Gunner Bengal Horse Artillery Indian Mutiny 14 November 1857 to 22 November 1857
Harry Laurent Sergeant New Zealand Rifle Brigade WWI 12 September 1918
Brian Lawrence Sergeant 17th Lancers Second Boer War 7 August 1900
Samuel Lawrence Lieutenant 32nd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 7 July 1857, 26 September 1857
Edward Lawson Private Gordon Highlanders Tirah Campaign 20 October 1897
Herbert Le Patourel Temp. Major Hampshire Regiment WWII 3 December 1942
Ferdinand Le Quesne Surgeon Royal Army Medical Corps British rule in Burma 4 May 1889
Edward Leach Captain Royal Engineers & Bengal Sappers and Miners Second Afghan War 17 March 1879
James Leach Second Lieutenant Manchester Regiment WWI 29 October 1914
John Leak Private 9th Battalion, AIF First World War 23 July 1916
Joshua Leakey Lance Corporal Parachute Regiment Operation Herrick 22 August 2013
Nigel Leakey Sergeant King’s African Rifles WWII 19 May 1941*
Okill Learmonth Acting Major 2nd Battalion, CEF WWI 18 August 1917*
Roderick Learoyd Flight Lieutenant No. 49 Squadron RAF WWII 12 August 1940
William Leet Major 13th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 28 March 1879
Peter Leitch Colour Sergeant Corps of Royal Engineers Crimean War 18 June 1855
James Leith Lieutenant 14th Light Dragoons Indian Mutiny 1 April 1858
William Lendrim Corporal Corps of Royal Engineers Crimean War 14 February 1855
Wilbraham Lennox Lieutenant Corps of Royal Engineers Crimean War 20 November 1854
Edmund Lenon Lieutenant 67th Regiment of Foot Third China War 21 August 1860
Frank Lester Corporal Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 12 October 1918
Hubert Lewis Private Welsh Regiment WWI 22–23 October 1916*
Leonard Lewis Lance Corporal Northamptonshire Regiment WWI 18–21 September 1918*
Ian Liddell Temp. Captain Coldstream Guards WWII 3 April 1945
John Liddell Captain Princess Louises’s (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) WWI 31 July 1915*[C]
Robert Lindsay Captain Scots Fusiliers Guards Crimean War 20 September 1854
John Linton Commander HMS Turbulent WWII 1939 to 23 March 1943*[D]
Joseph Lister Sergeant Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 9 October 1917
Owen Lloyd Surgeon Major Royal Army Medical Corps Kachin Hills Expedition 6 January 1893
Isaac Lodge Gunner Royal Horse Artillery Second Boer War 31 March 1900
Arnold Loosemore Private Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) WWI 11 August 1917
David Lord Flight Lieutenant No. 271 Squadron RAF WWII 19 September 1944*
Stewart Loudoun-Shand Temp. Major Green Howards WWI 1 July 1916*
Albert Lowerson Sergeant 21st Battalion, AIF WWI 1 September 1918
Charles Lucas Boatswain’s Mate HMS Hecla Crimean War 21 June 1854
John Lucas Colour Sergeant 40th Regiment of Foot New Zealand Land Wars 18 March 1861
Frederick Luke Driver Royal Field Artillery WWI 26 August 1914
Charles Lumley Captain 97th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 8 September 1855
Frederick Lumsden Lieutenant Royal Marine Artillery First World War 3–4 April 1917
Graham Lyall Captain 102nd Battalion, CEF WWI 27 September 1918
Charles Lyell Captain Scots Guards WWII 22–27 April 1943*
John Lynn Private Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 2 May 1915
John Lyons Private 19th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 10 June 1855
Henry Lysons Lieutenant 26th Regiment of Foot Zulu War 28 March 1879
Harry Lyster Lieutenant 72nd Bengal Native Infantry Indian Mutiny 23 May 1858
Henry MacDonald Colour Sergeant Corps of Royal Engineers Crimean War 19 April 1855
Thain MacDowell Captain 38th Battalion, CEF WWI 9 April 1917
John MacGregor Temp. Captain 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles WWI 29 September 1918 to 3 October 1918
David MacIntyre Temp. Lieutenant Princess Louises’s (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) WWI 24 August 1918 27 August 1918
Donald Macintyre Major 2nd Gurkha Rifles Looshai Expedition 4 January 1872
David MacKay Private 93rd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
John MacKay Lance Corporal Gordon Highlanders Second Boer War 20 May 1900
James MacKenzie Private Scots Guards WWI 19 December 1914*
John Mackenzie Sergeant Seaforth Highlanders Third Ashanti Expedition 6 June 1900
John Mackey Corporal 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion, AIF WWII 12 May 1945*
Donald MacKintosh Lieutenant Seaforth Highlanders WWI 11 April 1917*
Hector MacLean Lieutenant Corps of Guides Tirah Campaign 17 August 1897
Herbert MacPherson Lieutenant 78th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 25 September 1857
Robert MacTier Private 23rd Battalion, AIF WWI 1 September 1918*
Ambrose Madden Sergeant Major 41st Regiment of Foot Crimean War 26 October 1854
James Magennis Acting Leading Seaman HMS XE3 WWII 31 July 1945
Michael Magner Drummer 33rd Regiment of Foot Abyssinian War 13 April 1868
Patrick Mahoney Sergeant 1st Madras European Fusiliers Indian Mutiny 21 September 1857
John Mahony Major Westminster Regiment WWII 24 May 1944
William Maillard Surgeon HMS Hazard Occupation of Crete 6 September 1898
Hugh Malcolm Wing Commander No. 18 Squadron RAF WWII 4 December 1942*
John Malcolmson Lieutenant 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry Anglo-Persian War 8 February 1857
George Maling Lieutenant Royal Army Medical Corps WWI 25 September 1915 [E] Att
George Maling was born in Sunderland on 6th October, 1888 at Carlton House the son of Edwin Allan and Maria Jane Maling. He was educated at Uppingham, going on to Oxford and then to St Thomas’s Hospital where he obtained the Degrees, M A; M B; B Ch. Oxon; MRCS; and LRCP. The Battle of Loos formed a part of the wider Artois-Loos Offensive conducted by the French and British in autumn 1915, sometimes referred to as the Second Battle of Artois, and comprised the major Allied offensive on the Western Front in 1915.The Loos offensive began on 25th September following a four day artillery bombardment in which 250,000 shells were fired, and was called off in failure on 28th September. Presided over by General Douglas Haig, the British had committed six divisions to the attack despite serious misgivings regarding the unavailability of a further two divisions as reserves. This delay in making available the reserves was crucial.
The Germans poured in reserves to counter-attack the following day when the British no longer had the benefit of a preliminary artillery bombardment.
Advancing towards the astonished Germans that afternoon without covering fire, the “Tommies” were cut down by repeated machine gun fire. After several days of sporadic fighting, the British were eventually forced to order a retreat. During the battle the British forces suffered 50,000 casualties. German casualties were estimated much lower, at approximately half the British total. It was against this backdrop of carnage that Lieutenant George Maling of the Royal Army Medical Corps attached to 12th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade (now the Royal Green Jackets) won his Victoria Cross.
At dawn on the second day of battle a group of British soldiers were trapped in the area of a ruined house in “no man’s land”, near Fauquissart, by a murderous artillery barrage, with the screams of the wounded carrying to the British lines, where their comrades were unable to give them support because of the intensity of the shelling.
Despite this, and on being advised that were some three-hundred wounded around this ruin, Maling shouldered his medical pack, shouted for his orderly and jumped the parapet and ran through curtain of exploding steel, and inexplicably arrived at ruin unharmed. He then set about his duties conscientiously and systematically, despite the incessant barrage, and the consequent escalation in casualty numbers.
Accompanied by his orderly, Maling moved from casualty to casualty, never hurrying, dressing wounds, carrying less seriously wounded men to more comfortable positions, and giving solace and as much palliative care as circumstances would permit to the more serious injured.
Both men worked through the day, taking cover only when the bombardment became too intense, and even then Maling sought to protect his patients with his body. Eventually, and inevitably, a shell exploded almost over-head of the two men, throwing them a distance.
Lieutenant Maling found to his surprise that he was uninjured, his orderly however, was not so fortunate and lay wounded amongst a pile of bodies.
Dazed, Maling struggled to his feet, pulled his orderly clear, and commenced to treat his wounds. At this point, Maling heard the faint cry of a comrade begging for water, and as he made his way to this unfortunate soldier another artillery shell exploded near-by flinging Maling to the ground, covering him with debris and blowing his bag out of his hand.
Most incredibly he again escaped unhurt, and so crawled about on his hands and knees recovering his lost medical equipment, and re-commenced treating the ever growing band of injured and dying as the barrage continued pitilessly throughout that terrible and Hellish day.
As night fell the bombardment lessened in intensity, becoming more sporadic. Maling was therefore able to commence transporting the wounded to relatively safer places. Not once during this long night of wounded and dying soldiers did Maling think of leaving his patients and returning to the safety of British lines, instead he continued alone in his selfless and gallant humanitarian work, with great commitment and courage.
As dawn broke, the early light showed hundreds of dead around the area of the ruined house, but almost three hundred alive but wounded. Again a haggard and tired Maling continued moving from man to man giving what treatment he could and trying to raise their spirits.
By 8am the German gunners ceased their attack, and British rescue teams were able to move forward to bring the wounded back to casualty stations and thence away from the “Front”. For the most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in collecting and treating more than 300 wounded, all the time under heavy shell fire and in the open Lieutenant Maling was awarded the highest honour that can be bestowed on a British soldier — the Victoria Cross. He was mentioned in despatches and promoted to Captain in 1916.
George Allen Maling VC died on 9th July, 1929 at the age of 40 in Lee, South East London, where he had practised as a General Practitioner (Doctor). His medals are held by the Museum of Army Medical Services, Aldershot.
Wilfred Malleson Midshipman HMS River Clyde WWI 25 April 1915
Joseph Malone Lance-Sergeant 13th Light Dragoons Crimean War 25 October 1854
Ross Mangles Civilian Bengal Civil Service Indian Mutiny 30 July 1857
William Manley Assistant surgeon Royal Artillery New Zealand Land Wars 29 April 1864
Edward Mannock Major No. 85 Squadron RFC WWI 17 June 1918 to 26 July 1918*
Conwyn Mansel-Jones Captain West Yorkshire Regiment Second Boer War 27 February 1900
Leslie Manser Flying Officer No. 50 Squadron RAF WWII 30 May 1942*
Jack Mantle Acting Leading Seaman HMS Foylebank WWII 4 July 1940*
William Mariner Private King’s Royal Rifle Corps WWI 22 May 1915 [E]
Mariner, the son of Mrs A. Wignall was 32 years old, and a Private the 2nd Battalion, The King`s Royal Rifle Corps of the British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
The citation for the award, published in the London Gazette on 23rd June 1915
No. 2052 Private William Mariner, 2nd Battalion, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps.
“ During a violent thunderstorm on the night of 22nd May, 1915, he left his trench near Cambrin, and crept out through the German wire entanglements till he reached the emplacement of a German machine gun which had been damaging our parapets and hindering our working parties.
After climbing on the top of the German parapet he threw a bomb in under the roof of the gun emplacement and- heard some groaning and the enemy running away. After about a quarter of an hour he heard some of them coming back again, and climbed up on the other side of the emplacement and threw another bomb among them left-handed. He then lay still while the Germans opened a heavy fire on the wire entanglement behind him, and it was only after about an hour that he was able to crawl back to his own trench.
Before starting out he had requested a serjeant to open fire on the enemy’s trenches as soon as he had thrown his bombs. Rifleman Mariner was out alone for one and a half hours carrying out this gallant work.“
He was killed in action, France, on 1st July 1916 and his name is on the Thiepval, Memorial.
Percival Marling Lieutenant King’s Royal Rifle Corps Sudan Campaign 13 March 1884 [E]
Born on 6 March 1861, he was 23 years old, and a lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, The King`s Royal Rifle Corps,of the British Army, attached Mounted Infantry during the Mahdist Warwhen the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
” On 13 March 1884 at the Battle of Tamai in the Sudan during the Mahdist War, Lieutenant Marling risked his life to save that of a private of The Royal Sussex Regiment who had been shot. His citation reads:
For his conspicuous bravery at the battle of Tamai, on 13th March last, in risking his life to save that of Private Morley, Royal Sussex Regiment, who, having been shot, was lifted and placed in front of Lieutenant Marling on his horse. He fell off almost immediately, when Lieutenant Marling dismounted, and gave up his horse for the purpose of carrying off Private Morley, the enemy pressing close on to them until they succeeded in carrying him about 80 yards to a place of comparative safety.
Marling later served in the Second Anglo-Boer- War(1899-1901) in South Africa, where in March 1901 he took over the command of the 18th Hussars.
On 20 October 1903, he was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Gloucestershire,and in 1923 was appointed High Sheriff of Gloucestershire.
He later achieved the rank of colonel and died on 29th May 1936.
His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum.
James Marshall Acting Lieutenant Colonel Irish Guards WWI 4 November 1918*
William Marshall Quartermaster Sergeant 19th Hussars Sudan Campaign 29 February 1884
Cyril Martin Lieutenant Corps of Royal Engineers WWI 12 March 1915
Horace Martineau Sergeant Protectorate Regiment Second Boer War 26 December 1899
Arthur Martin-Leake [B] Surgeon Captain Lieutenant South African Constabulary Royal Army Medical Corps Second Boer War
WWI 8 February 1902 29 October 1914 to 8 November 1914[D]
Richard Masters Private Royal Army Service Corps WWI 9 April 1918
James Masterson Lieutenant Devonshire Regiment Second Boer War 6 January 1900
Francis Maude Captain Royal Regiment of Artillery Indian Mutiny 25 September 1857
Frederick Maude Brevet Lieutenant Colonel 3rd Regiment of Foot Crimean War 5 September 1855
Thomas Maufe Second Lieutenant Royal Garrison Artillery WWI 4 June 1917
Francis Maxwell Lieutenant Robert’s Light Horse Second Boer War 31 March 1900
Joseph Maxwell Lieutenant 18th Battalion, AIF WWI 3 October 1918
Henry May Private Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) WWI 22 October 1914
Leslie Maygar Lieutenant 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles Second Boer War 23 November 1901
Arthur Mayo Midshipman Indian Naval Brigade Indian Mutiny 22 November 1857
Tom Mayson Lance-Sergeant King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) WWI 31 July 1917
John McAulay Corporal Scots Guards WWI 27 November 1917
William McBean Lieutenant 93rd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 11 March 1858
Robert McBeath Lance Corporal Seaforth Highlanders WWI 20 November 1917
Lawrence McCarthy Lieutenant 16th Battalion, AIF WWI 23 August 1918
Charles McCorrie Private 57th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 23 June 1855
John McCrea Surgeon 1st Cape Mounted Yeomanry Basuto War 14 January 1881
James McCudden Temp. Captain No. 56 Squadron RFC WWI August 1917 to March 1918
John McDermond Private 47th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 5 November 1854
William McDonell Civilian Bengal Civil Service Indian Mutiny 30 July 1857
John McDougall Private 44th Regiment of Foot Third China War 21 August 1860
Stanley McDougall Sergeant 47th Battalion, AIF WWI 28 March 1918
William McFadzean Private Royal Irish Rifles WWI 1 July 1916*
Samuel McGaw Lance-Sergeant 42nd Regiment of Foot First Ashanti Expedition 21 January 1874
Lewis McGee Sergeant 40th Battalion, AIF WWI 4 October 1917
John McGovern Private 1st Bengal European Fusiliers Indian Mutiny 23 June 1857
David McGregor Lieutenant Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) WWI 22 October 1918
Roderick McGregor Private Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) Crimean War July 1855 [E]
McGregor was about 31 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade ( Prince Consort`s Own ) of the British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
In July 1855 at the Quarries, Crimea, a bandsman going to fetch water from a well in front of the advanced trench, was killed. A number of men at once rushed out determined to drive the Russian riflemen from the pits which they occupied. Private McGregor and two others were the first to reach the Russians, whom they drove out, killing some. Private McGregor was employed as a sharpshooter in the advance trenches before Sebastopol. He crossed an open space under fire and, taking cover under a rock, dislodged two Russians who were occupying a rifle-pit.
The official citation was as follows:
” For courageous conduct when employed as a sharpshooter in the advanced trenches in the month of July, 1855; a Rifle Pit was occupied by two Russians, who annoyed our troops by their fire. Private McGregor crossed the open space under fire, and taking cover under a rock, dislodged them, and occupied the pit.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum in the former Peninsula Barracks.
Louis McGuffie Acting Sergeant King’s Own Scottish Borderers WWI 28 September 1918*
James McGuire Sergeant 1st Bengal European Fusiliers Indian Mutiny 14 September 1857
Patrick McHale Private 5th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 2 October 1857, 22 December 1857
Hugh McInnes Gunner Bengal Artillery Indian Mutiny 14 November 1857 to 22 November 1857
George McIntosh Private Gordon Highlanders WWI 31 July 1917
Hugh McIver Private Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) WWI 23 August 1918
Ian McKay Sergeant Parachute Regiment Falklands War 12 June 1982*
George McKean Lieutenant 14th Battalion, CEF WWI 27–28 April 1918
James McKechnie Sergeant Scots Fusilier Guards Crimean War 20 September 1854
Edward McKenna Colour Sergeant 65th Regiment of Foot New Zealand Land Wars 7 September 1863
Albert McKenzie Able Seaman HMS Vindictive WWI 22–23 April 1918
Hugh McKenzie Lieutenant Canadian Machine Gun Corps WWI 30 October 1917*
Alan McLeod Second Lieutenant No. 2 Squadron RFC WWI 27 March 1918
Peter McManus Private 5th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 26 September 1857
Valentine McMaster Assistant surgeon 78th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 25 September 1857
Eric McNair Temp. Lieutenant Royal Sussex Regiment WWI 14 February 1916
William McNally Sergeant Green Howards WWI 27 October 1918
Frank McNamara Lieutenant No. 1 Squadron AFC WWI 20 March 1917
John McNamara Corporal East Surrey Regiment WWI 3 September 1918
John McNeill Lieutenant Colonel 107th Bengal Infantry Regiment New Zealand Land Wars 30 March 1864
Frederick McNess Lance-Sergeant Scots Guards WWI 15 September 1916
Stewart McPherson Colour Sergeant 78th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 26 September 1857
James McPhie Corporal Corps of Royal Engineers WWI 14 October 1918*
Bernard McQuirt Private 95th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 6 January 1858
Allastair McReady-Diarmid Acting Captain Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) WWI 30 November 1917 to 1 December 1917*
William McWheeney Sergeant 44th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 20 October 1854
Samuel Meekosha Corporal Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) WWI 19 November 1915
John Meikle Sergeant Seaforth Highlanders WWI 20 July 1918
Matthew Meiklejohn Captain Gordon Highlanders Second Boer War 21 October 1899
Edward Mellish Chaplain Royal Army Chaplains’ Department WWI 27–29 March 1916
Charles Melliss Captain Indian Staff Corps Third Ashanti Expedition 30 September 1900
Teignmouth Melvill Lieutenant 24th Regiment of Foot Zulu War 22 January 1879*
Charles Melvin Private Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) WWI 21 April 1917
William Merrifield Sergeant 4th Battalion, CEF WWI 1 October 1918
Charles Merritt Major South Saskatchewan Regiment WWII 19 August 1942
William Metcalf Lance Corporal 16th Battalion, CEF WWI 2 September 1918
Godfrey Meynell Captain 12th Frontier Force Regiment Second Mohmand Campaign 29 September 1935*
Ron Middleton Flight Sergeant No. 149 Squadron RAF WWII 28 November 1942*
Anthony Miers Commander HMS Torbay WWII 4–5 March 1942
John Milbanke Lieutenant 10th Hussars Second Boer War 5 January 1900
Francis Miles Private Gloucestershire Regiment WWI 23 October 1918
Duncan Millar Private 42nd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 15 January 1859
Frederick Miller Lieutenant Royal Regiment of Artillery Crimean War 5 November 1854
James Miller Private Bengal Ordnance Depot Indian Mutiny 28 October 1857
James Miller Conductor King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) WWI 30–31 July 1916*
Walter Mills Private Manchester Regiment WWI 10–11 December 1917*
William Milne Private 16th Battalion, CEF WWI 9 April 1917*
Harry Miner Corporal 58th Battalion, CEF WWI 8 August 1918*
Mir Dast Jemadar 55th Coke’s Rifles (Frontier Force) WWI 26 April 1915
Coulson Norman Mitchell Captain 4th Canadian Engineers WWI 8–9 October 1918
George Mitchell Private Gordon Highlanders WWII 23–24 January 1944*
Samuel Mitchell Captain of the Foretop HMS Harrier New Zealand Land Wars 29 April 1864
Martin Moffat Private Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment WWI 14 October 1918
John Molyneux Sergeant Royal Fusiliers WWI 9 October 1917
Thomas Monaghan Trumpeter 2nd Dragoon Guards Indian Mutiny 8 October 1858
George Monger Private 23rd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 18 November 1857
Rupert Moon Lieutenant 58th Battalion, AIF WWI 12 May 1917
George Moor Second Lieutenant Hampshire Regiment WWI 5 June 1915
Arthur Moore Lieutenant 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry Anglo-Persian War 8 February 1857
Hans Moore Major 88th Regiment of Foot 9th Cape Frontier War 29 December 1877
Montague Moore Second Lieutenant Hampshire Regiment WWI 20 September 1917
Samuel Morley Private Military Train Indian Mutiny 15 April 1858
Robert Morrow Private Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria’s) WWI 12 April 1915
Edward Mott Sergeant Border Regiment WWI 27 January 1917
Thomas Mottershead Sergeant No. 20 Squadron RFC WWI 7 January 1917*
James Mouat Sergeant 6th Dragoons Crimean War 26 October 1854
Albert Mountain Sergeant Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) WWI 26 March 1918
John Moyney Lance-Sergeant Irish Guards WWI 12–13 September 1917
Andrew Moynihan Sergeant 90th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 8 September 1855
Harold Mugford Lance Corporal Machine Gun Corps WWI 11 April 1917
Kenneth Muir Major Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Korean War 23 September 1950*
Patrick Mullane Sergeant Royal Horse Artillery Second Afghan War 27 July 1880
George Mullin Sergeant Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry WWI 30 October 1917
Charles Mullins Captain Imperial Light Horse Second Boer War 21 October 1899
James Munro Colour Sergeant 93rd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
Michael Murphy Farrier Military Train Indian Mutiny 15 April 1858
Thomas Murphy Private 24th Regiment of Foot Andaman Islands Expedition 7 May 1867
Harry Murray Captain 13th Battalion, AIF WWI 4–5 February 1917
James Murray Lance Corporal Connaught Rangers First Boer War 16 January 1881
John Murray Sergeant 68th Regiment of Foot New Zealand Land Wars 21 June 1864
Edgar Myles Lieutenant Welsh Regiment WWI 9 April 1916
Patrick Mylott Private 84th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 12 July 1857 to 25 September 1857
Andrew Mynarski Pilot Officer No. 419 Squadron RCAF WWII 12 June 1944*
Namdeo Jadav Sepoy Maratha Light Infantry WWII 9 April 1945
Nand Singh Acting Naik Sikh Regiment WWII 11–12 March 1944
William Napier Sergeant 13th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 6 April 1858
William Nash Corporal Rifle Brigade Indian Mutiny 11 March 1858 [E]
Nash was a 33 year old corporal in the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade ( Prince Consort`s Own of the British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
On the 11th of March 1858 at Lucknow, India, Corporal Nash’s company was engaged with a large number of the enemy near the Iron Bridge. At one stage a captain ( Henry Wilmot ) found himself at the end of a street with only four of his men opposed to a considerable body of the enemy. One of the men was shot through both legs and Corporal Nash and a private ( David Hawkes ) (who was himself severely wounded) lifted the man up and they then carried him for a considerable distance, the captain covering the retreat of the party.
He later achieved the rank of sergeant. He died Hackney, Middlesex, 6th of April 1875 and was buried at the Church of St John-at-Hacney
Martin Nasmith Lieutenant Commander HMS E11 WWI 20 May 1915 to 8 June 1915
Philip Neame Lieutenant Corps of Royal Engineers WWI 19 December 1914
Samuel Needham Private Bedfordshire Regiment WWI 10–11 September 1918
Thomas Neely Corporal King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) WWI 27 September 1918*
David Nelson Sergeant Royal Horse Artillery WWI 1 September 1914
Randolph Nesbitt Captain Mashonaland Mounted Police Mashona Rebellion 19 June 1896
Netrabahadur Thapa Acting Subadar 5th Gurkha Rifles WWII 25–26 June 1944
John Nettleton Squadron Leader No. 44 Squadron RAF WWII 17 April 1942
Robert Newell Private 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers Indian Mutiny 19 March 1858
James Newland Captain 12th Battalion, AIF WWI 7–14 April 1917[D]
Augustus Newman Lieutenant Colonel Essex Regiment WWII 28 March 1942
William Newton Flight Lieutenant No. 22 Squadron RAAF WWII 16–18 March 1943*[F]
Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu Second Lieutenant 28th Māori Battalion, NZEF WWII 26–27 March 1943*
Henry Nicholas Private Canterbury Regiment WWI 3 December 1917
Harry Nicholls Lance Corporal Grenadier Guards WWII 21 May 1940
William Nickerson Lieutenant Royal Army Medical Corps Second Boer War 20 April 1900
Eric Nicolson Flight Lieutenant No. 249 Squadron RAF WWII 16 August 1940
Cecil Noble Acting Corporal Prince Consort’s Own (Rifle Brigade) WWI 12 March 1915 [E]
He was 23 years old, and an Acting Corporal in the 2nd Battalion,The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort`s Own) of the British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
On 12 March 1915 at Neuvue Chapelle, France, when the advance of the battalion was impeded by wire entanglements and by very severe machine-gun fire, Corporal Noble and another man ( Harry Daniels) voluntarily rushed in front and succeeded in cutting the wires. They were both wounded, and Corporal Noble later died of his injuries. Daniels survived to receive his Victoria Cross and later rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
Noble was buried at Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery, two miles south of Saint-Omer, France, in plot I, row A, Plot / Grave 57.
William Norman Private 7th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 19 December 1854
Gerard Norton Lieutenant Kaffrarian Rifles WWII 31 August 1944
John Norwood Second Lieutenant 5th Dragoon Guards Second Boer War 30 October 1899
Claude Nunney Private 38th Battalion, CEF WWI 1–2 September 1918
George Nurse Corporal Royal Field Artillery Second Boer War 15 December 1899
James Ockendon Sergeant Royal Dublin Fusiliers WWI 4 October 1917
Luke O’Connor Sergeant Royal Welch Fusiliers Crimean War 20 September 1854
William Odgers Leading Seaman HMS Niger New Zealand Land Wars 28 March 1860
Timothy O’Hea Private Rifle Brigade —[A] 9 June 1866 [E]
O’Hea was about 23 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade ( Prince Consort`s Own ) of the British Army Stationed in Canada when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
“ On 9 June 1866 at Danville, Quebec, Canada, a fire broke out in a railway car containing 2000 lb (900 kg) of ammunition, between Quebec and Montreal. The alarm was given and the car was disconnected at Danville Railway Station. While the sergeant in charge was considering what should be done, Private O’Hea took the keys from his hand, rushed to the car, opened it and called for water and a ladder. It was due to this man’s example that the fire was suppressed
O’Hea was said to have died in the Tirari Desert-Sturt Stony Desert region of central Australia in November 1874 while searching for a lost member of the Leichhardt expedition. Graham Fischer was present at the death but did not describe the specifics on the event. A recent book by Elizabeth Reid, The Singular Journey of O’Hea’s Cross, poses the theory that Timothy O’Hea in fact died in Ireland, shortly after his discharge from the British Army in 1868. His identity and VC annuity were then assumed by his brother John, and it is this man who actually died in Australia.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
Christopher O’Kelly Acting Captain 52nd Battalion, CEF WWI 26 October 1917
Michael O’Leary Lance Corporal Irish Guards WWI 1 February 1915
William Olpherts Captain Bengal Artillery Indian Mutiny 25 September 1857
Martin O’Meara Private 16th Battalion, AIF WWI 9–12 August 1916
John O’Neill Sergeant Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment WWI 14 October 1918
George Onions Lance Corporal Devonshire Regiment WWI 22 August 1918
John Ormsby Sergeant King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) WWI 14 April 1917
Michael O’Rourke Private 7th Battalion, CEF WWI 15–17 August 1917
John Osborn Company Sergeant Major Winnipeg Grenadiers WWII 19 December 1941*
James Osborne Private Northamptonshire Regiment First Boer War 22 February 1881
Gerald O’Sullivan Captain Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers WWI 1–2 July 1915
Edmund O’Toole Sergeant Cape Frontier Light Horse Zulu War 3 July 1879
James Owens Corporal 49th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 30 October 1854
William Oxenham Corporal 32nd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 30 June 1857
Anthony Palmer Private Grenadier Guards Crimean War 5 November 1854
Frederick Palmer Lance-Sergeant Royal Fusiliers WWI 16–17 February 1917
Robert Palmer Squadron Leader No. 109 Squadron RAF WWII 23 December 1944*
James Park Gunner Bengal Artillery Indian Mutiny 14 November 1857 to 22 November 1857[D]
John Park Sergeant 77th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 19 April 1855
Parkash Singh Havildar 8th Punjab Regiment WWII 6 January 1943
Charles Parker Sergeant Royal Horse Artillery Second Boer War 31 March 1900
Walter Parker Lance Corporal Royal Marine Light Infantry WWI 30 April 1915 to 1 May 1915
Samuel Parkes Private 4th Light Dragoons Crimean War 25 October 1854
Frederick Parslow Mercantile Marine Master[E] Royal Naval Reserve WWI 4 July 1915*
Francis Parsons Lieutenant Essex Regiment Second Boer War 18 February 1900
Hardy Parsons Acting Second Lieutenant Gloucestershire Regiment WWI 20–21 August 1917
Frank Partridge Private 8th Battalion, AIF WWII 24 July 1945
George Paton Acting Captain Grenadier Guards WWI 1 December 1917*
John Paton Sergeant 93rd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
John Pattison Private 50th Battalion, CEF WWI 10 April 1917
Keith Payne Warrant Officer Class II Australian Army Training Team Vietnam Vietnam War 24 May 1969
George Peachment Private King’s Royal Rifle Corps WWEI 25 September 1915* [E]
Before he joined up in April 1915, Peachment was an apprentice steam engine maker in Bury, Lancashire.
Peachment was a private in The King`s Royal Rifle Corps of the British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
“ At the Battle of Loos, on 25th September 1915 near Hulluch, France, during very heavy fighting, when the front line was compelled to retire in order to reorganise, Private Peachment saw his company commander lying wounded and crawled to help him. The enemy fire was intense but although there was a shell-hole quite close in which a few men had taken cover, Private Peachment never thought of saving himself. He knelt in the open by his officer and tried to help him, but while doing so was first wounded by a bomb and a minute later mortally wounded by a rifle bullet.
His medal is held in the Lord Ashcroft VC Collection.
George Pearkes Acting Major 5th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles WWI 30–31 October 1917
Samuel Pearse Sergeant Royal Fusiliers North Russia Relief Force 29 August 1919*
James Pearson Private 86th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 3 April 1858
John Pearson Private 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars Indian Mutiny 17 June 1858
Cyrus Peck Lieutenant Colonel 16th Battalion, CEF WWI 2 September 1918
William Peel Captain Naval Brigade Crimean War 18 October 1854[D] 5 November 1854 18 June 1855
Walter Peeler Lance Corporal 3rd Battalion, AIF WWI 4 October 1917
Henry Pennell Lieutenant Sherwood Foresters Tirah Campaign 20 October 1897
Henry Percy Colonel Grenadier Guards Crimean War 5 November 1854
John Perie Sapper Corps of Royal Engineers Crimean War 18 June 1855
Frederick Peters Acting Captain HMS Walney WWII 8 November 1942
Everard Phillipps Ensign 11th Bengal Native Infantry Indian Mutiny 30 May 1857 to 18 September 1857[D] [E]
After attending St Edmund’s College, Ware, in 1854 Everard Phillipps sailed for India to join the 11th Bengal Native Infantry. When the Indian Mutiny broke out in 1857, Phillipps’ regiment was amongst the first to revolt.
When the Queen’s proclamation against the insurgents came, he had to read it out as he could speak the native tongue. Riding boldly forward while the bullets whistled round him, he began to read the proclamation, but before he got to the end of the first sentence his horse was shot from under him, and he fell to the ground, himself wounded by a stray bullet.
Undeterred, he sprang to his feet and read through the whole proclamation from beginning to end before taking cover.
On the desertion of the Bengal Infantry, he then joined the 60th Rifles. He performed many gallant deeds, and in the months before his death he was wounded three times.
At the Siege of Delhi, he captured the Water Bastion with a small party and was killed in the streets on the 17th of September 1857. His death was recorded in the London Gazette on 18th of September.
Ensign Phillipps was awarded the Victoria Cross fifty years after his death.
His citation reads:
London Gazette, 21st October, 1859.
“Ensign Everard Aloysius Lisle Phillipps, of the 11th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry, would have been recommended to Her Majesty for the decoration of the Victoria Cross, had he survived, for many gallant deeds which he performed during the Siege of Delhi, during which he was wounded three times. At the assault of that city he captured the Water Bastion with a small party of men, and was finally killed in the streets of Delhi on the 18th of September.”
His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.
Robert Phillips Temp. Lieutenant Royal Warwickshire Regiment WWI 25 January 1917
Edmund Phipps-Hornby Major Royal Horse Artillery Second Boer War 31 March 1900
Arthur Pickard Ensign Royal Artillery New Zealand Land Wars 20 November 1863
Ernest Pitcher Petty Officer HMS Dunraven WWI 8 August 1917
Henry Pitcher Lieutenant 4th Punjab Infantry Umbeyla Campaign 30 October 1863
James Pitts Private Manchester Regiment Second Boer War 6 January 1900
Basil Place Lieutenant HMS X7 WWII 22 September 1943
Alfred Pollard Second Lieutenant Honourable Artillery Company WWI 29 April 1917
James Pollock Corporal Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders WWI 27 September 1915
Charles Pope Lieutenant 11th Battalion, AIF WWI 15 April 1917*
Patrick Porteous Temp. Captain Royal Regiment of Artillery WWII 19 August 1942
Frederick Potts Private Berkshire Yeomanry WWI 21 August 1915
Arthur Poulter Private Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) WWI 10 April 1918
Prakash Singh Chib Jemadar 13th Frontier Force Rifles WWII 16–17 February 1945*
Premindra Bhagat Second Lieutenant Corps of Indian Engineers WWII 31 January 1941 to 1 February 1941
Harry Prendergast Lieutenant Madras Engineers Indian Mutiny 21 November 1857
John Prettyjohns Corporal Royal Marine Light Infantry Crimean War 5 November 1854
Llewelyn Price-Davies Lieutenant King’s Royal Rifle Corps Second Boer War 17 September 1901 [E]
Price-Davies was 23 years old, and a Lieutenant in The King’s Royal Rifle Corps during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place at Blood River Poort for which he was awarded the VC:
At Blood River Poort, on the 17th September, 1901, when the Boers had overwhelmed the right of the British Column, and some 400 of them were galloping round the flank and rear of the guns, riding up to the drivers (who were trying to get the guns away) and calling upon them to surrender, Lieutenant Price Davies, hearing an order to fire upon the charging Boers, at once drew his revolver and dashed in among them, firing at them in a most gallant and desperate attempt to rescue the guns. He was immediately shot and knocked off his horse, but was not mortally wounded, although he had ridden to what seemed to be almost certain death without a moment’s hesitation.
He was promoted to Captain in his regiment on 7 January 1902, while still seconded with Mounted Infantry in South Africa.
Thomas Pride Captain of the Afterguard Royal Navy Bombardment of Shimonoseki 6 September 1864
Dighton Probyn Captain 2nd Punjab Cavalry Indian Mutiny 1857 to 1858[E]
Arthur Procter Private King’s (Liverpool Regiment) WWI 4 June 1916
Joseph Prosser Private 1st Regiment of Foot Crimean War 16 June 1855
George Prowse Chief Petty Officer Royal Naval Division WWI 2 September 1918
Thomas Pryce Acting Captain Grenadier Guards WWI 11–12 April 1918*
John Purcell Private 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers Indian Mutiny 19 June 1857
Charles Pye Sergeant Major 53rd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 17 November 1857
Lionel Queripel Captain 10th Parachute Battalion WWII 19 September 1944*
Robert Quigg Private Royal Irish Rifles WWI 1 July 1916
Henry Raby Lieutenant Naval Brigade Crimean War 18 June 1855
Ram Singh Acting Subadar 1st Punjab Regiment WWII 25 October 1944*
Henry Ramage Sergeant 2nd Dragoons Crimean War 25 October 1854
Rambahadur Limbu Lance Corporal 10th Gurkha Rifles Malaysia-Indonesia Confrontation 21 November 1965
Horace Ramsden Trooper Protectorate Regiment Second Boer War 26 December 1899
John Randle Temp. Captain Royal Norfolk Regiment WWII 4–6 May 1944*
Harry Ranken Captain Royal Army Medical Corps WWI 19–20 September 1914* [E] Att
Ranken was 31 years old, and a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps, British Army, attached to 1st Battalion, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On the19th and 20th of September 1914 at Haute-Avesnes, France, Captain Ranken was severely wounded in the leg whilst attending to his duties on the battlefield under shrapnel and rifle fire. He arrested the bleeding from this and bound it up, then continued to dress the wounds of his men, sacrificing his own chance of survival to their needs. When he finally permitted himself to be carried to the rear his case had become almost desperate and he died on 25th of September.
Ranken is buried in Braine Communal Cemetery.
Legacy
Ranken worked at the Brook fever hospital in South East London, which was on the site adjacent to the Royal Herbert Military Hospital; the original hospital designed on the principles laid down by Florence Nightingale after the Crimean war. When the military hospital moved across the road to a new set of buildings around 1970 – the Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital – the administration block at the QE was named after him – Ranken House. The QE has since been largely rebuilt and is now a civilian hospital, but the name has been preserved. Harry Ranken’s photograph and a copy of his citation are still proudly displayed in the reception area of Ranken House.
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum (Aldershot, England).
William Ratcliffe Private Prince of Wales’s Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment) WWI 14 June 1917
Reginald Rattey Corporal 25th Battalion, AIF WWI 22 March 1945
George Ravenhill Private Royal Scots Fusiliers Second Boer War 15 December 1899
Walter Rayfield Private 7th Battalion, CEF WWI 2–4 September 1918
Claud Raymond Lieutenant Corps of Royal Engineers WWII 21 March 1945*[C]
John Raynes Acting Sergeant Royal Field Artillery WWI 11 October 1915
William Raynor Lieutenant Bengal Veterans Establishment Indian Mutiny 11 May 1857
Anketell Read Captain Northamptonshire Regiment WWI 25 September 1915*
Herbert Reade Surgeon 61st Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 14 September 1857
John Readitt Private Prince of Wales’s Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment) WWI 25 February 1917
Hamilton Reed Captain Royal Field Artillery Second Boer War 15 December 1899
Ivor Rees Sergeant South Wales Borderers WWI 31 July 1917
Lionel Rees Temp. Major No. 32 Squadron RFC WWI 1 July 1916
Thomas Reeves Able Seaman Naval Brigade Crimean War 5 November 1854
Oswald Reid Captain King’s (Liverpool Regiment) WWI 8–10 March 1917
William Reid Acting Flight Lieutenant No. 61 Squadron RAF WWII 3 November 1943
Thomas Rendle Bandsman Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry WWI 20 November 1914
William Rennie Lieutenant 90th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 21 September 1857, 25 September 1857[D]
George Renny Lieutenant Bengal Horse Artillery Indian Mutiny 16 September 1857
Douglas Reynolds Captain Royal Field Artillery WWI 26 August 1914 9 September 1914[D]
Henry Reynolds Captain Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) WWI 20 September 1917
James Reynolds Surgeon Major Army Medical Department Zulu War 22–23 January 1879
William Reynolds Private Scots Fusiliers Guards Crimean War 20 September 1854
John Rhodes Lance-Sergeant Grenadier Guards WWI 9 October 1917
William Rhodes-Moorhouse Second Lieutenant No. 2 Squadron RFC WWI 26 April 1915*
Alfred Richards Sergeant Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 25 April 1915
Arthur Richardson Sergeant Lord Strathcona’s Horse Second Boer War 5 July 1900
George Richardson Private 34th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 27 April 1859
James Richardson Piper 16th Battalion, CEF WWI 8 October 1916*
Richhpal Ram Subadar 6th Rajputana Rifles WWII 7 February 1941
William Rickard Quartermaster HMS Weser Crimean War 11 October 1855
Thomas Ricketts Private Royal Newfoundland Regiment WWI 14 October 1918
Richard Ridgeway Captain Bengal Staff Corps Second Naga Hills Expedition 22 November 1879
Frederick Riggs Sergeant York and Lancaster Regiment WWI 1 October 1918*
John Ripley Corporal Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) WWI 9 May 1915
Henry Ritchie Commander HMS Goliath WWI 28 November 1914
Walter Ritchie Drummer Seaforth Highlanders WWI 1 July 1916
Jacob Rivers Private Sherwood Foresters WWI 12 March 1915*
John Robarts Gunner HMS Ardent Crimean War 29 May 1855
Frank Roberts Acting Lieutenant Colonel Worcestershire Regiment WWI 22 March 1918 to 2 April 1918[D]
Frederick Roberts Lieutenant King’s Royal Rifle Corps Second Boer War 15 December 1899 [E]
Roberts attended Eton Collage and joined the army soon after completing his studies. The son of Field Marshal Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts one of the greatest commanders of the Victorian era, it was only natural that he should follow his father into the British Army, and after the Royal Military Collage, Sandhurst, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the King`s Royal Rifle Corps on 10th June 1891.After joining the Army he was soon involved in action, fighting in the Wariristan Expeditionin 1894 and 1895, where he was Mentioned in Dispatches. He came to the attention of senior officers for his effective leadership. In 1898 he took part in the Nile Expedition following which he was promoted to lieutenant and awarded Order of Meijidieh of the Forth Class.
At the age of 27, Roberts went with the King’s Rifles to the Second Boer War, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
On 15th December 1899 at the Battle of Colenso, South Africa, Roberts, with several others, tried to save the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, when the detachments serving the guns had all become casualties or been driven from their guns. Some of the horses and drivers were sheltering in a donga about 500 yards behind the guns and the intervening space was swept with shell and rifle fire. Roberts with two other officers ( Walter Norris Congreve and Harry Norton Schofield) and Corporal George Edward Nurse helped to hook a team into a limber and then to limber up a gun. While doing so, he fell badly wounded and two days later died of his wounds at Chieveley, Natal. The action was observed by the Commander-in-chief, Redvers Buller who recommended Roberts for the VC in a despatch written on 16 December, before Roberts had died from his wounds.
Confirmation of the award was made on 2 February 1900, the citation reading:
War Office, February 2, 1900.
Queen has been graciously pleased to signify Her intention to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officer, whose claims have been submitted for Her Majesty’s approval, for their conspicuous bravery at the battle of Colenso, as stated against their names:—
The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own) Captain W. N. Congreve
At Colenso on the 15th December, 1899, the detachments serving the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, had all been either killed, wounded, or driven from their guns by Infantry fire at close range, and the guns were deserted.
About 500 yards behind the guns was a donga in which some of the few horses and drivers left alive were sheltered. The intervening space was swept with shell and rifle fire.
Captain Congreve, Rifle Brigade, who was in the donga, assisted to hook a team into a limber, went out; and assisted to limber up a gun. Being wounded, he took shelter; but, seeing Lieutenant Roberts fall, badly wounded, he went out again and brought him in. Captain Congreve was shot through the leg, through the toe of his boot, grazed on the elbow and the shoulder, and his horse shot in three places.
Lieutenant the Honourable F. H. S. Roberts (since deceased). Lieutenant Roberts assisted Captain Congreve. He was wounded in three places.
Roberts and his father were one of only three father-son pairs to win the VC, his father having won it in 1858 for an action at Khudaganj during the Indian rebellion.
F.H.S. Robert’s Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum in Chelsea.
Frederick Roberts Lieutenant Bengal Horse Artillery Indian Mutiny 2 January 1858
James Roberts Private 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers Indian Mutiny 28 September 1857
Peter Roberts Lieutenant HMS Thrasher WWII 16 February 1942
Charles Robertson Lance Corporal Royal Fusiliers WWI 8–9 March 1918
Clement Robertson Captain Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment WWI 4 October 1917
James Robertson Private 27th Battalion, CEF First World War 6 November 1917*
William Robertson Sergeant Major Gordon Highlanders Second Boer War 21 October 1899
Edward Robinson Able Seaman Naval Brigade Indian Mutiny 13 March 1858
Eric Robinson Lieutenant Commander HMS Vengeance WWI 26 February 1915
Leefe Robinson Lieutenant No. 39 Squadron RFC WWI 2–3 September 1916
Henry Robson Private Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) WWI 14 December 1914
Patrick Roddy Ensign Bengal Army Indian Mutiny 27 September 1858
George Rodgers Private 71st Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 16 June 1858
James Rogers Sergeant South African Constabulary Second Boer War 15 June 1901
Maurice Rogers Sergeant Wiltshire Regiment WWII 3 June 1944
Robert Rogers Lieutenant 44th Regiment of Foot Third China War 21 August 1860
George Rolland Captain 1st Bombay Grenadiers Third Somaliland Expedition 22 April 1903
Frederick Room Acting Lance Corporal Royal Irish Regiment WWI 16 August 1917
Gerard Roope Lieutenant Commander HMS Glowworm WWII 8 April 1940
Matthew Rosamund Sergeant Major 37th Bengal Native Infantry Indian Mutiny 4 June 1857
John Ross Corporal Corps of Royal Engineers Crimean War 21 July 1855
George Roupell Lieutenant East Surrey Regiment WWI 20 April 1915
Hugh Rowlands Captain 41st Regiment of Foot Crimean War 5 November 1854
David Rushe Troop Sergeant Major 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers Indian Mutiny 19 March 1858
Charles Russell Brevet Major Grenadier Guards Crimean War 5 November 1854
John Russell Captain Royal Army Medical Corps WWEI 6 November 1917
Charles Rutherford Lieutenant 5th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles WWI 26 August 1918
William Ruthven Sergeant 22nd Battalion, AIF First World War 19 May 1918
John Ryan Private 1st Madras European Fusiliers Indian Mutiny 26 September 1857
John Ryan Private 65th Regiment of Foot New Zealand Land Wars 7 September 1863
John Ryan Lance Corporal 55th Battalion, AIF WWI 30 September 1918
Miles Ryan Drummer 1st Bengal European Regiment Indian Mutiny 14 September 1857
Robert Ryder Private Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) WWI 26 September 1916
Robert Ryder Commander HMS Campbeltown WWII 28 March 1942
Clifford Sadlier Lieutenant 51st Battalion, AIF WWI 24–25 April 1918
Thomas Sage Private Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert’s) WWI 4 October 1917
Philip Salkeld Lieutenant Bengal Sappers and Miners Indian Mutiny 14 September 1857
Nowell Salmon Lieutenant Naval Brigade Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
George Samson Seaman Royal Naval Reserve WWI 25 April 1915
George Sanders Corporal Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) WWI 1 July 1916
William Sanders Lieutenant HMS Prize WWI 30 April 1917
Richard Sandford Lieutenant HMS C3 WWI 22–23 April 1918
Willward Sandys-Clarke Lieutenant Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) WWII 23 April 1943*
Euston Sartorious Captain 59th Regiment of Foot Second Afghan War 24 October 1879
Reginald Sartorius Major 6th Bengal Cavalry First Ashanti Expedition 17 January 1874
Arthur Saunders Sergeant Suffolk Regiment WWI 26 September 1915
William Savage Able Seaman HM Motor Gun Boat WWII 28 March 1942*
John Sayer Lance Corporal Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment WWI 21 March 1918[C]
Arthur Scarf Squadron Leader No. 62 Squadron RAF WWII 9 December 1941*
Christian Schiess Corporal Natal Native Contingent Zulu War 22–23 January 1879
Harry Schofield Captain Royal Field Artillery Second Boer War 15 December 1899
John Schofield Temp. Second Lieutenant Lancashire Fusiliers First World War 9 April 1918*
Mark Scholefield Seaman Naval Brigade Crimean War 5 November 1854
Andrew Scott Captain Bengal Staff Corps Baluchistan 26 July 1877
Robert Scott Private Manchester Regiment Second Boer War 6 January 1900
Robert Scott Sergeant Cape Mounted Riflemen Basuto War 8 April 1879
Francis Scrimger Captain Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps WWI 25 April 1915
Derek Seagrim Temp. Lieutenant Colonel Green Howards WWII 20–21 March 1943
Ernest Seaman Lance Corporal Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers WWI 29 September 1918*
William Seeley Seaman HMS Eurayalus Bombardment of Shimonoseki 6 September 1864
George Sellar Lance Corporal 72nd Regiment of Foot Second Afghan War 14 December 1879
Alfred Sephton Petty Officer HMS Coventry WWII 18 May 1941*[C]
Cecil Sewell Lieutenant Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) WWI 29 August 1918*
Shahamad Khan Naik 89th Punjab Regiment WWI 12–13 April 1916
Robert Shankland Lieutenant 43rd Battalion, CEF WWI 26 October 1917
Charles Sharpe Acting Corporal Lincolnshire Regiment WWI 9 May 1915
John Shaul Corporal Highland Light Infantry Second Boer War 11 December 1899
Hugh Shaw Captain 18th Regiment of Foot New Zealand Land Wars 24 January 1865
Same Shaw Private Rifle Brigade Indian Mutiny 13 June 1858 [E]
Shaw was a private in the 3rd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade ( Prince Consort`s Own of the British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 13 June 1858 at Lucknow, India for which he was awarded the VC:
Rifle Brigade (3rd Battalion)
Private Same Shaw
Date-of Act of Bravery, 13th June, 1858.
“ For the Act of Bravery recorded in a despatch from Major-General James Hope Grant, K.C.B., Commanding the LucknowField Force, to the Deputy Adjutant-General of the Army, of which the following is an extract:
“Nowabegunge, 17th June, 1858. “I have to bring to notice the conduct of Private Same Shaw, of the 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade, who is recommended by his Commanding Officer for the Victoria Cross, An armed rebel had been seen to enter a tope of trees. Some officers and men ran into the tope in pursuit of him. This man was a Ghazee. Private Shaw drew his short sword, and with that weapon rushed single-handed on the Ghazee. Shaw received a severe tulwar wound, but after a desperate struggle, he killed the man.” ” I trust his Excellency will allow me to recommend this man for the Victoria Cross, and that he will approve of my having issued a Division Order, stating that I have done so.
He later achieved the rank of corporal.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum in the former Peninsula Barracks.
Robert Shebbeare Lieutenant 60th Bengal Native Infantry Indian Mutiny 14 September 1857
Albert Shepherd Private King’s Royal Rifle Corps WWI 20 November 1917 [E]
He was 20 years old, and a privat in the 12th (S) Battalion,The King`s Royal Rifle Corps of the British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
“ On 20th November 1917 at Villers Plouich, France, when his company was held up by a machine-gun at point-blank range, Private Shepherd volunteered to rush the gun and although ordered not to, rushed forward and threw a Mills bomb killing two gunners and capturing the gun. The company, continuing its advance, came under heavy enfilade* machine-gun fire and when the last officer and NCO had become casualties, Private Shepherd took command of the company, ordered the men to lie down and went back some 70 yards to get the help of a tank. He then returned to his company and led them to their last objective
A formation or position is “in enfilade” if weapons fire can be directed along its longest axis. For instance, a trench is enfiladed if the opponent can fire down the length of the trench. A column of marching troops is enfiladed if fired on from the front or rear such that the projectiles travel the length of the column. A rank or line of advancing troops is enfiladed if fired on from the side (flank)..
He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on 28th August 1916 and became acting Corporal one month later on 28th September 1916.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
John Sheppard Boatswain’s Mate Naval Brigade Crimean War 15 July 1855
Sher Thapa Rifleman 9th Gurkha Rifles WWII 18–19 September 1944*
Sher Shah Lance Naik 16th Punjab Regiment WWII 19–20 January 1945*
Robert Sherbrooke Captain HMS Onslow WWII 31 December 1942
John Sherwood-Kelly Acting Lieutenant Colonel Norfolk Regiment WWI 20 November 1917
Robert Shields Corporal Royal Welch Fusiliers Crimean War 8 September 1855
William Short Private Green Howards WWI 6 August 1916*
Alfred Shout Captain 1st Battalion, AIF WWI 9 August 1915*
William Sidney Temp. Major Grenadier Guards WWII 8–9 February 1944
Ellis Sifton Lance-Sergeant 18th Battalion, CEF WWI 9 April 1917*
John Simpson Quartermaster Sergeant 42nd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 15 April 1858
Ray Simpson Warrant Officer Class II Australian Army Training Team Vietnam Vietnam War 6–11 May 1969
John Sims Private 34th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 18 June 1855
John Sinnott Corporal 84th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 6 October 1857
John Sinton Captain Indian Medical Service WWI 21 January 1916
John Skinner Company Sergeant Major King’s Own Scottish Borderers WWI 18 August 1917
Michael Sleavon Corporal Corps of Royal Engineers Indian Mutiny 3 April 1858
Alfred Smith Gunner Royal Regiment of Artillery Sudan Campaign 17 January 1885
Alfred Smith Second Lieutenant East Lancashire Regiment WWI 23 December 1915
Archibald Smith Temp. Lieutenant Royal Naval Reserve WWI 10 March 1917*
Clement Smith Lieutenant Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Fourth Somaliland Expedition 10 January 1904
Edward Smith Lance-Sergeant Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 21–23 August 1918
Ernest Smith Private 1st Canadian Infantry Division WWII 21–22 October 1944
Philip Smith Corporal 17th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 18 June 1855
Frederick Smith Captain 43rd Regiment of Foot New Zealand Land Wars 21 January 1864 [E]
Smith entered the British Army in 1849 and saw action during the Crimean War at Alma, Inkerman and Sebastopol
Smith was 37 years old, and a captain in the 43rd ( Monmouthshire ) regiment of Foot (later the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry ) of the British Army during the Waikato- Hauhau Maori War,New Zealand when the following deed took place on 21 June 1864 at Tauranga for which he was awarded the VC.
“ For his distinguished conduct during the engagement at Tauranga, on the 21st of June. He is stated to have led on his Company in the most gallant manner at the attack on the Maories’ position, and, although wounded previously to reaching the Rifle Pits, to have jumped down into them, where he commenced a hand to hand encounter with the Enemy, thereby giving his men great encouragement, and setting them a fine example
He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He commanded the 43rd Foot in the late 1870`s and retired in February 1878.
He died in Duleek, Co Meath, on 22nd July 1887. His grave (unmarked) is in Duleek (Church of Ireland) Churchyard, Co Meath. A memorial plaque to him, originally in Duleek Church, is now situated in Kilmore Church, standing in the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Co Down.
Henry Smith Lance Corporal 52nd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 14 September 1857 [E]
Smith was about 32 years old, and a lance corporal in the 52nd ( Oxfordshire ) Regiment of Foot ( later the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry ) of the British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 14 September 1857 at Delhi, India for which he was awarded the VC:
“ Lance-Corporal Smith most gallantly carried away a wounded comrade under a heavy fire of grape and musketry on the Chaundee Chouck, in the city of Delhi, on the morning of the assault on the 14th September, 1857.
(General Order of Major-General Sir Archdale Wilson, Bart., K.C.B., dated Head Quarters, Delhi City, September 21, 1857.)
He later achieved the rank of sergeant, and died of cholera while serving in India. He was buried in a mass grave
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum in the former Peninsula Barracks
Issy Smith Acting Corporal Manchester Regiment WWI 26 April 1915
James Smith Corporal Corps of Royal Engineers Mohmand Campaign 16 September 1897
James Smith Private Border Regiment WWI 21 December 1914
John Smith Sergeant Bengal Sappers and Miners Indian Mutiny 14 September 1857
John Smith Private 1st Madras European Fusiliers Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
John Smith Lieutenant 5th Gurkha Rifles Hunza-Naga Campaign 20 December 1891
John Smyth Lieutenant 15th Ludhiana Sikhs WWI 18 May 1915
Nevill Smyth Captain 2nd Dragoon Guards Sudan Campaign 2 September 1898
Quentin Smythe Sergeant Royal Natal Carabineers WWII 5 June 1942
James Somers Sergeant Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers WWI 1–2 July 1915
Charles Spackman Sergeant Border Regiment WWI 20 November 1917
Robert Spall Sergeant Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry WWI 13 August 1918
Bill Speakman Private Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) Korean War 4 November 1951
David Spence Troop Sergeant Major 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers Indian Mutiny 17 January 1858
Edward Spence Private 42nd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 15 April 1858
Dudley Stagpoole Drummer 57th Regiment of Foot New Zealand Land Wars 2 October 1863
William Stanlake Private Coldstream Guards Crimean War 26 October 1854
Richard Stannard Lieutenant HMT Arab WWII 28 April 1940 to 2 May 1940[D]
Leslie Starcevich Private 2/43rd Battalion, AIF WWII 28 June 1945
Percy Statton Sergeant 40th Battalion, AIF WWI 10–12 August 1918
Gordon Steele Lieutenant HM Coastal Motor Boat 88 North Russia Relief Force 18 August 1919
Thomas Steele Sergeant Seaforth Highlanders WWI22 February 1917
William Stewart Captain 93rd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
James Stokes Private King’s Shropshire Light Infantry WWII 1 March 1945*
Charles Stone Gunner Royal Field Artillery WWI 21 March 1918
Walter Stone Acting Captain Royal Fusiliers WWI 30 November 1917*
Percy Storkey Lieutenant 19th Battalion, AIF WWI 7 April 1918
Harcus Strachan Lieutenant The Fort Garry Horse WWI 20 November 1917
George Stringer Private Manchester Regiment WWI 8 March 1916
George Strong Private Coldstream Guards Crimean War September 1855
Ronald Stuart Lieutenant HMS Pargust WWI 7 June 1917
Frank Stubbs Sergeant Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 25 April 1915*
Sefanaia Sukanaivalu Corporal Fiji Infantry Regiment WWII 23 June 1944*
Arthur Sullivan Corporal Royal Fusiliers North Russia Relief Force 10 August 1919
John Sullivan Boatswain’s Mate Naval Brigade Crimean War 10 April 1855
William Sutton Bugler 60th Rifles Indian Mutiny 2 August 1857 to 13 September 1857[D] [E]
Sutton was about 27 years old, and a bugler in the 1st Battalion, 60th Rifles ( later The Kings Royal Rifle Corps, of the British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 13 September 1857 at Delhi, India for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
60th Rifles (1st Battalion)
Bugler William Sutton. Date of Act of Bravery, 13th September, 1857
“ For gallant conduct at Delhi on the 13th of September, 1857, the night previous to the Assault, in volunteering to reconnoitre the breach. This Soldier’s conduct was conspicuous throughout the operations, especially on the 2nd of August, 1857, on which occasion, during an attack by the Enemy in force, he rushed forward over the trenches, and killed one of the Enemy’s Buglers, who was in the act of sounding. Elected by the Privates of the Regiment.
Commemorating the valiant deeds of JAMES THOMPSON who was born in Yoxall in 1833[sic]. Served in the 1st Battalion 60th Rifles and was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1857 for his gallant conduct during the Indian Mutiny.
Edwin Swales Acting Major No. 582 Squadron RAF WWII 23 February 1945*
Ernest Sykes Private Northumberland Fusiliers WWI 19 April 1917
William Sylvester Assistant surgeon Royal Welch Fusiliers Crimean War 8 September 1855
George Symons Sergeant Royal Regiment of Artillery Crimean War 6 June 1855
William Symons Second Lieutenant 7th Battalion, AIF WWI 8–9 August 1915
James Tait Lieutenant 78th Battalion, CEF WWI 11 August 1918*
Henry Tandey Private Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) WWI 28 September 1918
John Taylor Captain of the Forecastle Naval Brigade Crimean War 18 June 1855
Christopher Teesdale Lieutenant Royal Regiment of Artillery Crimean War 29 September 1855
William Temple Assistant surgeon Royal Artillery New Zealand Land Wars 20 November 1863
Edward Thackeray Second Lieutenant Bengal Sappers and Miners Indian Mutiny 16 September 1857
Thaman Gurung Rifleman 5th Gurkha Rifles WWII 10 November 1944*
Jacob Thomas Bombardier Bengal Artillery Indian Mutiny 27 September 1857
John Thomas Lance Corporal Prince of Wales’s (North Staffordshire Regiment) WWI 30 November 1917
Alexander Thompson Lance Corporal 42nd Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 5 April 1858
George Thompson Flight Sergeant No. 9 Squadron RAF WWII 1 January 1945*[C]
James Thompson Private 60th Rifles Indian Mutiny 9 July 1857 [E]
Thompson was about 27 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, 60th Rifles ( King Royal Rifle Corps )of the British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 9 July 1857 at Delhi, British India
For gallant conduct in saving the life of his captain (Captain Wilton), on the 9th of July, 1857, by dashing forward to his relief, when that officer was surrounded by a party of Ghazees, who made a sudden rush on him, from a serai – and killing two of them before further assistance could reach. Also recommended for conspicuous conduct throughout the siege
Thompson was one of five men of the 1/60th elected under Section 13 of the Royal Warrant to receive the Victoria Cross for the Siege of Delhi. Two months later he was badly wounded in the assault on Delhi on 14 September 1857, the opening day of the battle that lasted until 20 September 1857 when the city was cleared of insurgents. His left arm was amputated and he was invalided out of the Army. The citation, published in the London Gazette of 20 January 1860, concludes with a commendation for his ‘conspicuous conduct throughout the siege’. The citation does not specify Delhi and some sources have interpreted the siege to be the more famous Siege of Lucknow although Thompson was not at Lucknow. The 1/60th was part of the Siege of Delhi, the other four 1/60th citations do state Delhi and the action saving the life of Captain Wilton on 9 July 1857 occurred at Delhi. Thompson was at Delhi between July and September 1857 by which time he had been severely wounded and saw no further active service
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
In December 2009, a memorial plaque to Thompson and two other recipients of the Victoria Cross, John Henry Carless and Charles George Bonner, was unveiled at the Town Hall in Walsall, England.
There is a small memorial plaque in St Peter’s Church, Yoxall, Staffordshire. It reads:
” Commemorating the valiant deeds of JAMES THOMPSON who was born in Yoxall in 1833[sic]. Served in the 1st Battalion 60th Rifles and was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1857 for his gallant conduct during the Indian Mutiny.
Hugo Throssell Second Lieutenant 10th Light Horse Regiment WWI 29–30 August 1915
Frederick Tilston Acting Major Essex Scottish Regiment WWI 1 March 1945
Arthur Tisdall Sub-Lieutenant Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve WWI 25 April 1915
Ross Tollerton Private Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders WWI 14 September 1914
Henry Tombs Major Bengal Horse Artillery Indian Mutiny 9 July 1857
Joseph Tombs Lance Corporal King’s (Liverpool Regiment) WWI 16 June 1915
Frederick Topham Corporal 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion WWII 24 March 1945
James Towers Private Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) WWI 6 October 1918
Edgar Towner Lieutenant 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, AIF WWI 1 September 1918
Ernest Towse Captain Gordon Highlanders Second Boer War 11 December 1899
Alfred Toye Acting Captain Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) WWI 25 March 1918
Charles Train Corporal London Scottish Regiment First WWI 8 December 1917
James Travers Colonel 2nd Bengal Native Infantry Indian Mutiny July 1857
Richard Travis Sergeant Otago Infantry Regiment WWI24 July 1918*
William Traynor Sergeant West Yorkshire Regiment Second Boer War 6 February 1901
Leonard Trent Squadron Leader No. 487 Squadron RNZAF WWII 3 May 1943
William Trevor Major Bengal Engineers Bhutan War 30 April 1865
Joseph Trewavas Seaman HMS Beagle Crimean War 3 July 1855
Lloyd Trigg Flying Officer No. 200 Squadron RAF WWII 11 August 1943*
Paul Triquet Captain Royal 22e Régiment WWII 14 December 1943
Frederick Tubb Lieutenant 7th Battalion, AIF WWI 9 August 1915
Tul Pun Rifleman 6th Gurkha Rifles WWII 23 June 1944
James Turnbull Sergeant Highland Light Infantry WWI 1 July 1916*
Alexander Turner Second Lieutenant Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment) WWI 28 September 1915*[C]
Hanson Turner Acting Sergeant West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales’s Own)WWII 6–7 June 1944*
Richard Turner Lieutenant Royal Canadian Dragoons Second Boer War 7 November 1900
Samuel Turner Private 60th Rifles Indian Mutiny 19 June 1857 [E]
Turner was 31 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, 60th Rifles ( later the Kings Royal Rifle Corps ) of the British Army during the Indian Mutiny, when the following deed on 19 June 1857 at Delhi, India took place for which he was awarded the VC:
Private Samuel Turner. Date of Act of Bravery, 19th June, 1857
“ For having, at Delhi, on the night of the 19th of June, 1857, during a severe conflict with the Enemy, who attacked the rear of the Camp, carried off” on his shoulders, under a heavy fire, a mortally wounded Officer, Lieutenant Humphreys, of the Indian Service. During this service, Private Turner was wounded by a sabre cut in the right arm. His gallant conduct saved the above-named Officer from the fate of others, whose mangled remains were not recovered until the following day.
Victor Turner Temp. Lieutenant Colonel Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) WWII 27 October 1942 [E]
Victor was born in Reading in Berkshire, the son of Major Charles Turner of the Royal Berkshire Regiment and his second wife, Jane Elizabeth, only daughter of Admiral Sir Alexandra Buller. He was the younger brother of Second Lieutenant Alexandra Buller Turner VC and had a family connection with General Sir Redvers Buller VC.
He was educated at Wellington Collage and the Royal Military Collage Sandhurst before commissioning as Second Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade in 1918. He served in the campaign in Iraq in 1919–20, was promoted Major in 1938 and Lieutenant-Colonel in 1942 while serving in the Middle-East before the act in which he won the VC.
He lived at Thatcham House before moving to Suffolk after the war and retired from the army in 1949.
In 1950 was appointed to the Royal Household receiving a position in the ceremonia King`s Bodyguard of the Guard of the yeoman of the Guard and rose to be “Clerk of the Cheque and Adjutant” of the Guard in 1955. He was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 1966 in connection with his services to the Royal Household and was promoted to Lieutenant of the Queen’s Bodyguard in 1967.
He was 42 years old, and a temporary lieutenant colonel in The Rifle Brigade of trhe British Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 27th October 1942, at El Aqqaqir (Kidney feature), Western Desert, Eygpt, during the Second Battle of El Alamein, Lieutenant Colonel Turner was commanding a battalion of the Rifle Brigade. After overcoming a German position, the battalion fought off desperate counter-attacks by 90 tanks, destroying or immobilising more than 50 of them. During the action, one of the 6-pounder guns was left with only one officer and a sergeant, so Colonel Turner joined them as loader, and between them they destroyed another five tanks. Not until the last tank had been repulsed did he consent to having a wound in his head attended to.
The citation for his award was published in the London Gazette on 20 November 1942 and reads as follows:
“ Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Victor Buller Turner (17630), The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) (Thatcham, Berks).
For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the 27th October, 1942, in the Western Desert.
Lieutenant-Colonel Turner led a Battalion of the Rifle Brigade at night for 4,000 yards through difficult country to their objective, where 40 German prisoners were captured. He then organised the captured position for all-round defence; in this position he and his Battalion were continuously attacked from 5.30 a.m. to 7 p.m., unsupported and so isolated that replenishment of ammunition was impossible owing to the concentration and accuracy of the enemy fire.
During this time the Battalion was attacked by not less than 90 German tanks which advanced in successive waves. All of these were repulsed with a loss to the enemy of 35 tanks which were in flames, and not less than 20 more which had been immobilised.
Throughout the action Lieutenant-Colonel Turner never ceased to go to each part of the front as it was threatened. Wherever the fire was heaviest, there he was to be found. In one case, finding a solitary six-pounder gun in action (the others being casualties) and manned only by another officer and a Sergeant, he acted as loader and with these two destroyed 5 enemy tanks. While doing this he was wounded in the head, but he refused all aid until the last tank was destroyed.
His personal gallantry and complete disregard of danger as he moved about encouraging his Battalion to resist to the last, resulted in the infliction of a severe defeat on the enemy tanks. He set an example of leadership and bravery which inspired his whole Battalion and which will remain an inspiration to the Brigade.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
Thomas Turrall Private Worcestershire Regiment WWI 3 July 1916
John Tytler Lieutenant 66th Bengal Native Infantry Indian Mutiny 10 February 1858
Umrao Singh Havildar 81st West African Division WWII 15–16 December 1944
Edward Unwin Captain HMS River Clyde WWI 22 April 1915
Charles Upham Second Lieutenant WWII 22nd to 30th May 1941 and 14th to 15th July 1942[B]
Captain 2nd Division, NZEF WWII22–30 May 1941 14–15 July 1942[B]
James Upton Corporal Sherwood Foresters WWI 9 May 1915
John Vallentin Captain South Staffordshire Regiment WWI 7 November 1914*
Bernard Vann Acting Lieutenant Colonel Sherwood Foresters WWI 29 September 1918
Theodore Veale Private Devonshire Regiment WWI 20 July 1916
John Vereker Acting Lieutenant Colonel Grenadier Guards WWI 27 September 1918
Arthur Vickers Private Royal Warwickshire Regiment WWI 25 September 1915
Charles Vickers Temp. Captain Sherwood Foresters WWI 14 October 1915
Samuel Vickery Private Dorset Regiment Tirah Campaign 20 October 1897
William Vousden Captain 5th Punjab Cavalry Second Afghan War 14 December 1879
Richard Wadeson Lieutenant 75th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 17 July 1857
Richard Wain Captain Tank Corps WWI 20 November 1917*
Richard Wakeford Temp. Captain Hampshire Regiment WWII 13 May 1944
Adam Wakenshaw Private Durham Light Infantry WWII 27 June 1942*
Garth Walford Captain Royal Artillery WWI 26 April 1915*
Mark Walker Lieutenant 30th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 5 November 1854
William Walker Captain 4th Gurkha Rifles Third Somaliland Expedition 22 April 1903
Samuel Wallace Temp. Lieutenant Royal Field Artillery WWI 20 November 1917
George Waller Lieutenant 60th Rifles Indian Mutiny 14 September 1857, 18 September 1857 (D) (E)
Waller was about 30 years old, and a colour- sergeant in the 1st Battalion, 60th Rifles (later The King’s Royal Rifle Corps) of the British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place at Delhi, British India for which he was awarded the VC.
“ For conspicuous bravery at Delhi on the 14th of September, 1857, in charging and capturing the Enemy’s guns near the Cabul Gate; and again, on the 18th of September, 1857, in the repulse of a sudden attack made by the Enemy on a gun near the Chaudney Chouk. Elected by the Non-Commissioned Officers of the Regiment
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks.
Horace Waller Private King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) WWI 10 April 1917*
William Waller Lieutenant 25th Bombay Light Infantry Indian Mutiny 20 June 1858
George Walters Sergeant 49th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 5 November 1854
Malcolm Wanklyn Lieutenant Commander HMS Upholder WWII 24 May 1941
Bernard Warburton-Lee Captain HMS Hardy Second World War 10 April 1940*
Charles Ward Private King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Second Boer War 26 June 1900
Henry Ward Private 78th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 25 September 1857
James Ward Sergeant No. 75 Squadron RAF WWII 7 July 1941
Joseph Ward Sergeant 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars Indian Mutiny 17 June 1858
Sidney Ware Corporal Seaforth Highlanders WWI 6 April 1916
William Waring Lance-Sergeant Royal Welsh Fusiliers WWI 18 September 1918*
Blair Wark Major 32nd Battalion, AIF First World War 29 September 1918 to 1 October 1918[D]
Reginald Warneford Flight Sub-Lieutenant No. 1 Squadron RNAS First World War 7 June 1915
Edward Warner Private Bedfordshire Regiment WWI 1 May 1915*
Samuel Wassall Private 80th Regiment of Foot Zulu War 22 January 1879
Arnold Waters Acting Major Corps of Royal Engineers WWI 4 November 1918
Tasker Watkins Lieutenant Welch Regiment WWII 16 August 1944
John Watson Lieutenant 3rd Bombay European Regiment Indian Mutiny 14 November 1857
Oliver Watson Acting Lieutenant Colonel King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) WWI 28 March 1918*
Thomas Watson Lieutenant Corps of Royal Engineers Mohmand Campaign 16 September 1897
Joseph Watt Skipper Royal Naval Reserve WWI 15 May 1917
Henry Weale Lance Corporal Royal Welsh Fusiliers WWI 26 August 1918
Frank Wearne Second Lieutenant Essex Regiment WWI 28 June 1917*
Lawrence Weathers Temp. Corporal 43rd Battalion, AIF WWI 2 September 1918
James Welch Lance Corporal Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment) WWI 29 April 1917
Harry Wells Second Lieutenant Royal Sussex Regiment WWI 25 September 1915*
Ferdinand West Captain No. 8 Squadron RFC WWI 12 August 1918
Richard West Acting Lieutenant Colonel North Irish Horse WWI 2 September 1918*
William Weston Lieutenant Green Howards WWII 3 March 1945
Francis Wheatley Private Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) Crimean War 12 October 1854 [E]
Wheatley was born in Riddington, Nottinghamshire, his father was a frame work knitter, a trade which Francis took up before joining the army. He was enlisted at Daventry on 5 November 1839 (for a bounty of £3.17s.6d) into the 1st Battalion The Rifle Brigade ( Prince Consort`s Own ), of the British Army.
He was awarded his Victoria Cross for duty in the Crimean War on 12 October 1854. The day before his VC action, another act of gallantry earned him the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The citation reads: On 12 October 1854 Wheatley and some other Riflemen were occupying a section of the trenches before Sevastopol when a live Russian shell fell amongst the men. Without hesitation Wheatley seized hold of the shell and endeavoured to knock the fuse out with the butt of his rifle. He was unsuccessful at the first attempt and so, with great presence of mind and deliberation he managed somehow to heave it over the parapet of the trench. It had scarcely fallen outside when it exploded. Had it not been for his coolness, presence of mind and supreme courage and discipline, the shell would have inevitably exploded amongst the party causing serious casualties, but instead not a man was hurt.
His VC was presented by Queen Victoria in person at the first investiture at Hyde Park London on 26 June 1857.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum in the former Peninsula Barracks.
Kevin Wheatley Warrant Officer Class II Australian Army Training Team Vietnam Vietnam War 13 November 1965*
George Wheeler Major 9th Gurkha Rifles WWI 23 February 1917
George Wheeler Major 7th Hariana Lancers WWI 12–13 April 1915*
Frederick Whirlpool Private 1st Punjab Cavalry Indian Mutiny 3 April 1858, 2 May 1858[D]
Harry Whitchurch Surgeon Captain Indian Medical Service Chitral Expedition 3 March 1895
Albert White Sergeant South Wales Borderers WWI 19 May 1917*
Archie White Temp. Captain Green Howards WWI 21 September 1916 to 1 October 1916[D]
Geoffrey White Lieutenant Commander HMS E14 WWI 28 January 1918*
George White Major 92nd Regiment of Foot Second Afghan War 6 October 1879
Jack White Private King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) WWI 7 March 1917
William White Temp. Second Lieutenant Machine Gun Corps WWI 18 September 1918
Harold Whitfield Private King’s (Shropshire Light Infantry) WWI 10 March 1918
Thomas Whitham Private Coldstream Guards WWI 31 July 1917
John Whittle Sergeant 12th Battalion, AIF WWI 9–10 April 1917
Alfred Wilcox Lance Corporal Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry WWI 12 September 1918 [E]
Until 2006, he was the only recipient of the Victoria Cross whose exact resting place was unknown.
He was 33 years old, and a lance corporal in the 2/4th Battalion The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry of the British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 12 September 1918 near Laventie, France, when his company was held up by enemy machine-gun fire at short range, Lance-Corporal Wilcox rushed to the nearest enemy gun, bombing it and killing the gunner. Being then attacked by an enemy bombing party, the corporal picked up enemy stick bombs and led his company against the next gun, finally capturing and destroying it. Then, left with only one man he continued bombing and captured a third gun. Going up the trench, bombing as he went, he captured a fourth gun and then returned to his platoon.
A nephew was Charles Wilcox GC. In 2006 his nephew John Wilcox, who had attended his Uncle’s funeral in 1954, helped historian Chris Sutton in locating his grave in Aston Church. A service was held, and a memorial unveiled on 12 September 2006, 88 years to the day after he captured the guns.
Alfred Wilkinson Private Manchester Regiment WWI 20 October 1918
Thomas Wilkinson Bombardier Royal Marine Artillery Crimean War 7 June 1855
Thomas Wilkinson Temp. Lieutenant Loyal North Lancashire Regiment WWI 5 July 1916
Thomas Wilkinson Temp. Lieutenant HMS Li Wo WWII 14 February 1942*
John Williams Private 24th Regiment of Foot Zulu War 22–23 January 1879
John Williams Company Sergeant Major South Wales Borderers WWI 7–8 October 1918
William Williams Seaman Royal Naval Reserve WWI 7 June 1917
William Williams Able Seaman HMS River Clyde WWI 25 April 1915*
Richard Willis Captain Lancashire Fusiliers WWI 25 April 1915
Henry Wilmot Captain Rifle Brigade Indian Mutiny 11 March 1858 [E]
Wilmot was born in Chaddesden, Derby, the son of Sir Henry Wilmot (4th Baronet) and his wife Maria Mundy daughter of Edmund Mundy of Shipley Hall.
Wilmot served as a captain in the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade ( Prince Consort`s Own ) and fought in the Indian Mutiny. On 11 March 1858 at Lucnow, India, along with Private David Hawkes and Corporal William Nash, the following deed led to his being awarded the Victoria Cross:
Rifle Brigade, 2nd Battalion. Captain (now Brevet-Major) Henry Wilmot
Date of Act of Bravery, 11th March, 1858
“ For conspicuous gallantry at Lucknow on the 11th March, 1858. Captain Wilmot’s Company was engaged with a large body of the enemy, near the Iron Bridge. That officer found himself at the end of a street with only four of his men, opposed to a considerable body. One of the four was shot through both legs, and became utterly helpless: the two men lifted him up, and although Private Hawkes was severely wounded, he carried him for a considerable distance, exposed to the fire of the enemy, Captain Wilmot firing with the men’s rifles, and covering the retreat of the party. Despatch of Brigadier-General Walpole, C.B., dated 20th of March, 1858
He later achieved the rank of Brigadier General.
Wilmot sat as Conservative Member of Parliament for South Derbyshire from 1869 to 1885.
Arthur Wilson Captain HMS Hecla Sudan Campaign 29 February 1884
Eric Wilson Acting Captain East Surrey Regiment WWII 11–15 August 1940
George Wilson Private Highland Light Infantry WWI 14 September 1914
Harry Wood Corporal Scots Guards WWI 13 October 1918
Evelyn Wood Lieutenant 17th Lancers Indian Mutiny 19 October 1858
John Wood Captain 20th Bombay Native Infantry Anglo-Persian War 9 August 1856
Wilfred Wood Private Northumberland Fusiliers WWI 28 October 1918
Joseph Woodall Lance-Sergeant Prince Consort’s Own (Rifle Brigade) WWI 11 April 1918 [E]
Woodall was 21 years old and a Lance Sergeantt in the 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort`s Own) of the British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 11th April 1918 the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade was rushed up in buses to a position on the La Bassée Canal to try to stem the German breakthrough on the Lys. Over the next eleven days it was involved in severe fighting in the area around Hinges and Robecq. On 22nd April, 1st Bn, Rifle Brigade, together with the 1st Hampshires, took part in an attack which helped to secure the Canal. It was during this fighting that Lance Sergeant Joseph Woodall won his Victoria Cross on the far side of the canal at La Pannerie, near Hinges.
His citation read:
La Pannerie, France, 22nd April 1918, Lance Sergeant Joseph Edward Woodall, 1st Bn, The Rifle Brigade.
“ For most conspicuous bravery and fine leadership during an attack. ( La Pannerie, France ) Sjt. Woodall was in command of a platoon which, during an advance, was held up by a machine gun. On his own initiative he rushed forward and, single-handed, captured the gun and eight men. After the objective had been gained, heavy fire was encountered from a farmhouse some 200 yards in front. Sjt. Woodall collected ten men and, with great dash and gallantry, rushed the farm and took thirty prisoners. Shortly afterwards, when the officer in command was killed, he took entire command, reorganised the two platoons, and disposed them most skilfully.
Throughout the day, in spite of intense shelling and machine-gun fire, this gallant N.C.O. was constantly on the move, encouraging the men and finding out and sending back invaluable information. The example set by Sjt. Woodall was simply magnificent, and had a marked effect on the troops. The success of the operation on this portion of the front is attributed almost entirely to his coolness, courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety.
Joseph Woodall was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 23 November 1918.
Joseph Woodall stayed in the Army after the war and on 7th March 1919 became a Second Lieutenant with one of the Service Battalions of The Rifle Brigade. He retired from the Army as a Captain in September 1921.
Woodall did not attend the 1956 VC Centenary Review, although he did attend a Festival of Remembrance in Dublin in November 1956, along with three other VC holders – Adrian Carton de Wiart, John Moyney and James Duffy.
Joseph Woodall died at St. Michael’s Hospital, Dun Laoghaire on 2 January 1962 and was buried in Deans Grange Cemetery.
Medal entitlement of Captain Joseph Edward Woodall – 1st Bn, The Rifle Brigade
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum.
Thomas Woodcock Private Irish Guards WWI 12–13 September 1917
Charles Wooden Sergeant 17th Lancers Crimean War 26 October 1854
Sidney Woodroffe Second Lieutenant Prince Consort’s Own (Rifle Brigade) WWI 30 July 1915* [E]
Woodroffe was born in Lewes, Sussex and was educated at Marlbrough Collage.
He was 19 years old, and a second Lieutenant in the 8th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort`s Own) of the British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
“ On 30th July 1915 at Hooge, Belgium, when the enemy had broken through the centre of our front trenches, Second Lieutenant Woodroffe’s position was heavily attacked with bombs from the flank and subsequently from the rear, but he managed to defend his post until all his bombs were exhausted. He then skillfully withdrew his remaining men and immediately led them forward in a counter-attack under intense rifle and machine-gun fire, and was killed whilst in the act of cutting the wire obstacles in the open.
This medal is currently in the Lord Ashcroft V.C. Trust Collection
2nd Lt. Woodroffe has no known grave and is commemorated at the Menin Gate in Ypres. His entry is possibly unique, in that the postnomial VC appears before his name, and was most likely added at a later date. He is also listed on the Lewes War Memorial.
War poet Charles Sorley, a contemporary of Woodfroffe at Marlborough, dedicated a poem to Woodroffe entitled ‘In Memoriam SCW VC
He was the brother of Kenneth Woodroffe, a cricketer who played for Hampshire and Sussex. Kenneth was also killed in 1915 whilst serving with the Rifle Brigade.
James Woods Private 48th Battalion, AIF WWI 18 September 1918
Geoffrey Woolley Second Lieutenant Queen Victoria’s Rifles WWI 20–21 April 1915 [E]
VC OBE MC (14th May 1892 – 10th December 1968) was the first British Territorial Army officer to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
The Queen Victoria’s Rifles were posted to the Ypres Salient. On the 17th of April 1915, the British Army captured Hill 60, a low rise to the south-east of Ypres. In the midst of fierce German efforts to retake the hill, Second Lieutenant Woolley’s company were sent up on the afternoon of the 20th of April to take ammunition supplies to the defenders. The situation quickly deteriorated, with many men and all the other officers on the hill being killed. Woolley refused verbal and written orders to withdraw, saying he and his company would remain until properly relieved. They repelled numerous attacks through the night. When they were relieved the next morning, he returned with 14 men remaining from the 150-strong company. The citation for the Victoria Cross he was awarded for this action reads:
For most conspicuous bravery on “Hill 60” during the night of 20th–21st April, 1915.
Although the only Officer on the hill at the time, and with very few men, he successfully resisted all attacks on his trench, and continued throwing bombs and encouraging his men till relieved. His trench during all this time was being heavily shelled and bombed and was subjected to heavy machine gun fire by the enemy.
Two days later Woolley was promoted directly to the rank of Captain. He saw further action in the early stages of the Second Battle of Ypres until he was invalided back to England suffering from poison gas and psychological effects. When Woolley had recovered, he was appointed as an instructor at the Officers Infantry School. He returned to the Western Front in summer 1916 as a General Staff Officer Grade II on the Third Army Staff. After the war, Wooley was one of many officers awarded the Military Cross in the King’s Birthday Honours of 1919.
Alexander Wright Private 77th Regiment of Foot Crimean War 22 March 1855 19 April 1855
Peter Wright Company Sergeant Major Coldstream Guards WWII 25 September 1943
Theodore Wright Captain Corps of Royal Engineers WWI 23 August 1914 14 September 1914*[D]
Wallace Wright Lieutenant 2nd Regiment of Foot Kano-Sokoto Expedition 26 February 1903
George Wyatt Lance Corporal Coldstream Guards WWI 25–26 August 1914
Guy Wylly Lieutenant 1st Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen Second Boer War 1 September 1900
Charles Yate Major King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) WWI 26 August 1914
Yeshwant Ghadge Naik Maratha Light Infantry WWII 10 July 1944*
Frederick Youens Second Lieutenant Durham Light Infantry WWI 7 July 1917*
Jack Youll Lieutenant Northumberland Fusiliers WWI 15 June 1918
Alexander Young Sergeant Major Cape Police Second Boer War 13 August 1901
Frank Young Second Lieutenant Hertfordshire Regiment WWI 18 September 1918*
John Young Private 87th Battalion, CEF WWI 2 September 1918
Thomas Young Private Durham Light Infantry WWI 25–31 March 1918
Thomas Young Lieutenant Naval Brigade Indian Mutiny 16 November 1857
William Young Private East Lancashire Regiment WWI 22 December 1915
David Younger Captain Gordon Highlanders Second Boer War 11 July 1900
Raphael Zengel Sergeant 5th Battalion, CEF WWI 9 August 1918
Sourced from www and Wikipedia