Oct 252013
 

 (Le Reve Passe (Please Play Me)

Memorial At Peninsula Ltd are proud to be a members of

The Victoria Cross Trust

We are proud to announce we are now members of the Victoria cross Trust, it is our considered opinion that we at Memorial can work well with the trust and look forward to inviting the trust to some of our events in the future, in order to highlight the work of the trust.

It is fitting that we are members our antecedent regiment The Kings Royal Rifle Corps won 8 Victoria Crosses , furthermore there are war graves of Victoria Cross recipients in Winchester Hampshire.

The VC Grave is that of

Lieutenant-Colonel Francis David Millet Brown VC

Born 7th August 1837 in in Bhagalpur, India

Died 21st November 1895 (aged 58)

Buried at West Hill Cemetery in Winchester, England  

Service Bengal Army, British Army, British Indian Army

Years Of Service 1855 to 1894

Rank Lieutenant-Colonel

Unit 1st European Bengal Fusiliers / 101st Regiment of Foot / Indian Staff Corps  

Wars / Battles Indian Mutiny / Umbevla Campaign

Awarded Victoria Cross 

Lieutenant-Colonel Francis David Millet Brown VC (7 August 1837 – 21 November 1895) was an Irish 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.

Brown was born on 7 August 1837 in Bhagalpur, India. He was educated at Grosvenor Collage, Bath. He was educated from 1852 to 1854 by a private tutor, Brisco Morland Gane, late curate of Honiton.

He was 20 years old, and a lieutenant in the 1st European Bengal Fusiliers (later The Royal Munster Fusiliers) during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed, on 16th November 1857 at Narnoul, India, for which Brown was awarded the Victoria Cross:

For great gallantry at Narrioul, on the 16th November, 1857, in having, at the imminent risk of his own life, rushed to the assistance of a wounded soldier of the 1st European Bengal Fusiliers, whom he carried off, under a very heavy fire from the enemy, whose cavalry were within forty or fifty yards of him at the time

He was again promoted, this time to Captain 23rd August 1864. He returned to the army as Major on 7 December 1875. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 8 December 1881. He was presented to Queen Victoria at a Levee at St James Palace on 24th April 1860. He later achieved the rank of colonel

Personal Life

Between 1868 and 1873 Brown was employed as Assistant Principal of Thomason Civil Engineering Collage, Roorkee. He married Jessie Rhind Russel. Her date of birth is unknown. They had the following children:

Frank Russell Brown (24th March 1872 – 3 April 1900). Frank was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Munster Fusiliers. He was made a Lieutenant 1st August 1895.

Claude Russell Brown (born 11 April 1873). Claude was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Engineers 22nd July 1892. He was made a Lieutenant 22nd July 1895.

Brown married Jessie Doris Childs after the death of his first wife. Brown died on 21st November 1895 in Sandown, Isle of White and was buried in Winchester Cemetery, after a service at Winchester Cathedral.

The VC Grave is that of

Brigadier Charles Calveley Foss VC, CB,DSO (9th March 1885 – 9th April 1953) was an English 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.

Foss was born in kobe, the son of Rev. Hugh James Foss, Bishop of Osaka. He was 30 years old, and a captain in the 2nd Battalion the Bedfordshire Regiment of the British Army during the First World War when the deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 12th March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle, France, after the enemy had captured a part of one of the British trenches and a counter-attack made with one officer and 20 men had failed (all but two of the party having been killed or wounded in the attempt) Captain Foss on his own initiative dashed forward with only eight men under heavy fire and attacked the enemy with bombs and captured the position and the 52 Germans occupying it.

One of the eight men who accompanied Captain Foss at Neuve Chapelle was William George Peggs, 9822 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment who was awarded the Order of St George 4th Class (Russia) for his part in the attack. Peggs died from wounds received during a later battle on 9th August 1916. Peggs is buried at La Neuville British Cemetery, Albert, France.

Foss later achieved the rank of brigadier. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regimental Collection at the Wardown Park Museum, Luton and Bedfordshire.

Born 9th March 1885 Kobe, Japan

Died 9th April 1953 London

Buried at West hill Cemetery Winchester

Service / Branch British Army

Rank Brigadier

Units Bedfordshire Regiment / Home Guard

Wars / Battles WWI / WWII

Awards Victoria Cross / Order or the Bath / Distinguished Service Order

Memorial at Peninsula Ltd, who are also Hampshire Ambassadors laid wreath`s on 10th Nov 2013 on the above graves as members of the Victoria Cross Trust

West Hill Cemetery  Winchester where the VC graves can be seen

Lest we forget in the peace of gods green acre lay resting the forgotten heroes, not in our tender care as members of the VC Trust

This email is from Councillor Jeffs

Dear Steve and Julie
Many thanks for letting me know. It was interesting to read of the army careers of these brave fellows.

Thank you also for conducting the wreath laying ceremony at West Hill over the weekend

Kindest regards

Cllr Ernie Jeffs Mayor of Winchester

Please follow the link for more information on the  http://www.victoriacrosstrust.org

By Julie-Ann Rosser