“VALIANT MEN OF HERTFORDSHIRE”
COMMEMORATING THOSE AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS IN THE GREAT WAR FROM HERTFORDSHIRE
THE VICTORIA CROSS
The Victoria Cross was introduced as the premier award for gallantry, available for all ranks, to cover actions since the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1854; it was allegedly created on the suggestion of Prince Albert, the Prince Consort. The Naval version originally had a navy blue ribbon which continued until the end of the Great War when the same purple ribbon was adopted by all Services. Of the 1354 awards since 1856, 832 have gone to the Army, 107 to the Navy, 31 to the RAF, 10 to the Royal Marines and 4 to civilians. Second bars have been awarded three times. The facility for posthumous awards, made retrospective to 1856, began in 1902 and was confirmed in 1907, while the early practice of forfeitures (eight between 1863 and 1908) was discontinued after the First World War. Each VC is still made by the same London jewellers, Messrs Hancocks (now of Burlington Gardens, London, W1 from the bronze of Chinese cannons captured from the Russians at the siege of Sebastopol (large ingots of which are stored at the Army's Central Ordnance Depot at Donning ton). Recommendation for the VC is normally issued by an officer at regimental level, or equivalent, and has to be supported by three witnesses, although this has been waived on occasion. The recommendation is then passed up the military hierarchy until it reaches the Secretary of State for Defence. The recommendation is then laid before the monarch who approves the award with his or her signature. Victoria Cross awards are always promulgated in the London Gazette with the single exception of the award to the American Unknown Soldier in 1921 In the case of a gallant and daring act being performed by a squadron, ship's company or a detached body of men (such as Royal Marines) in which all men are deemed equally brave and deserving of the Victoria Cross then a ballot is drawn. The officers select one officer, the NCOs select one individual and the private soldiers or seamen select two individuals. In all 46 awards have been awarded by ballot with 29 of the awards during the Indian Mutiny. Four further awards were granted to Q Battery, Royal Horse Artillery at Korn Spruit on 31 March 1900 during the Second Boer War. The final ballot awards for the army were the six awards to the Lancashire Fusiliers at W Beach during the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 although three of the awards were not gazetted until 1917. The final seven ballot awards were the only naval ballot awards with three awards to two QShips in 1917 and four awards for the Zeebrugge Raid in 1918. The provision for awards by ballot is still included in the Victoria Cross warrant but there have been no further such awards since 1918
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PREFACE This book is published in the Centenary year of the outbreak of the Great War 1914 – 1918. It is intended as a tribute to all those who endured the horrors of that war and to honour the memory of those 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 nineteen represented here are associated with Hertfordshire as encompassed by the county boundaries of that time. Not only included are those born in Hertfordshire but those living there, attending a Hertfordshire school or who served in the County’s Militia. Of the nineteen recipients recipients, eight lost their lives in the conflict. Of those returning home more than one had physical and mental scars. They had difficulty finding work and were traumatized by their experiences. Sadly a problem that can still affect those who put their lives on the line. So this book concentrates on the events where they displayed extreme courage rather than the aftermath. AT THE END OF THEIR LIFE THEY SAY OF FIGHTING MEN: THAT OLD SOLDIERS NEVER DIE THEY JUST FADE AWAY AND THE ROYAL MARINES ARE SAID TO CROSS THE HARBOUR BAR. THEY ONLY DIE IF THEY ARE FORGOTTEN. SO PLEASE READ THEIR STORIES THAT THEY MAY REMEMBERED AND SO LIVE ON IN PEOPLE’S MEMORIES.
Compiled by Ted Sparrow
June June2014
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CONTENTS Barber, Edward VC
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Native of Tring
BURT, Alfred Alexander V.C
Page 7
Resident of Port Vale
COLLINGS-WELLS, John Stanhope VC
Page 11
Enlistment in the Hertfordshire Militia
CLOUTMAN, Sir BRETT Mackay VC, QC
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Educated at Bishop's Stortford College and Berkhamsted Preparatory School
COX, Christopher Augustus VC
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Born and lived in Kings Langley
MARTIN-LEAKE, Arthur VC L.R.C.P., F.R.C.S.
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He was born at Standon, near Ware
McKEAN, George Burdon VC MC MM
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He spent final time living with daughter at Potters Bar (which was Hertfordshire). Served with the Canadians
McREADY-DIARMID, Allastair Malcolm Cluny VC Page 30 He went to Queen Elizabeth Boys' Grammar School, Barnet.
Reverend MELLISH, Edward Noel VC
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He served as a private in the Boer War in the Artist’s Rifles attached to Baden-Powell's police He gained the rank of Temporary Chaplain in 1915 in the service of the Army Chaplain's Department Also appears in “The Valiant Men of Essex connected to ”Saffron Walden/ Dunmow
PEARKES, George Randolph VC DSO MC The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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He was born in Watford, Hertfordshire and was sent to Berkhamsted School. He served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
SMITH, Alfred Victor Smith VC
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Chorister at Saint Alban’s Cathedral
VEALE, Theodore William Henry VC
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He was born in Dartmouth. Spent last years with daughter at Hoddesdon
WARNER, Edward VC
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He was born in St Albans in Hertfordshire
YOUNG, Frank Edward VC
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He was born in Cherat in the North West Province, India. Served in the Hertfordshire TA
HAILEYBURY COLLEGE
PUPILS & STAFF
COFFIN, Clifford VC, CB, DSO & Bar
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He was born in Blackheath. Pupil at Haileybury
FRISBY, Cyril Hubert VC
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He was born in Sussex. Pupil at Haileybury
HALLOWES, Rupert Price VC, MC
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He was born in Sussex. Pupil at Haileybury
ROBERTSON, Clement VC
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He was born in Wales. Pupil at Haileybury
WILLIS, Richard Raymond VC
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Member of Staff at Haileybury post war.
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BARBER, Edward VC Edward Barber was born on 10 June 1893 to William and Sarah Ann Barber, who resided at Miswell Lane, Tring in Hertfordshire. His father was a lamp lighter. He began his working life as a bricklayer’s labourer, enlisting in the army in October 1911. After three years of service Barber was due to be transferred to the Army Reserve and was considering leaving to join the police but the outbreak of war put paid to any career change. Barber stood 6 feet 2 inches tall and was described as ‘a man of buoyant spirits, an iron will, reckless to a degree, and absolutely without fear. OUTBREAK OF WAR 1st Bn. Grenadier Guards in August 1914 were in Warley, London District. September 1914: came under command of 20th Brigade, 7th Division. 7 October 1914: landed at Zeebrugge. Thus they were involved in the early battles of the war. On the 4 August 1915: transferred to 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division His body was found by Lance Corporal Fuller from the same company. Fuller found a letter in Barber’s pocket addressed to a cousin living at Slough. Fuller wrote to the cousin explaining, ‘while doing his duty he was picked off by a German sniper. The bullet penetrated his brain, death being instantaneous… Your cousin feared nothing and he was the finest man we had, both in wit and courage.’ MEDALS
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Victoria Cross: 1914 Star + clasp "5th Aug Aug-22nd 22nd Nov 1914": British War Medal (1914-20): (1914 Victory Medal (1914-19) CITATION The London Gazette, 19 April 1915 “For most conspicuous bravery on 12th March, 1915, at Neuve Chapelle. He ran speedily in front of the grenade company to which he belonged, and threw bombs on the enemy with such effect that a very great number of them at once surrendered. When the grenade party reached rea Pte. Barber they found him quite alone and unsupported, with the enemy surrendering all about him.” him COMMEMORATION
LE TOURET MILITARY CEMETERY and the LE TOURET MEMORIAL, Richebourg L'Avoue, L'Avoue Pas de Calais Barber’s body was never recovered and in Feb February ruary 1916 he was officially classified as dead. His mother told a London journalist, ‘‘Of Of course, we are very proud, but I can’t bear to lose my boy. What is the Victoria Cross to the loss of my son? son?’
Tring War Memorial in the grounds of the St Peter & St Paul (Church of England) Church
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BURT, Alfred Alexander V.C Alfred Alexander Burt was born on the 3rd March 1895 and was a resident of Port Vale in Hertfordshire. He was a gas fitter for the Hertford Gas Company before the war and joined the Hertfordshire Regiment as a part time, Territorial Force soldier in 1911. He was a private with Service number 1665 OUTBREAK OF WAR Private Burt was mobilised with the battalion on the 4th August 1914 and, following initial training in Romford and Bury St. Edmunds, went to the Western Front with the battalion on the 6th November 1914. He served with them throughout the first uncomfortable winter in the trenches, surviving the constant patrolling and raiding as well as their involvement in the Battle of Festubert in May 1915. It was during the Battle of Loos in September 1915 that Alfred Burt, by then a Corporal, won the Victoria Cross.
THE BATTLE OF LOOS The battle took place on ground not of the British’s choosing and before stocks of ammunition and heavy artillery were sufficient, the opening of the battle was noteworthy for the first use of poison gas by the British Army. Despite heavy casualties, there was considerable success on the first day in breaking into the deep enemy positions near Loos and Hulluch. But the reserves had been held too far from the battle front to be able to exploit the successes and succeeding days bogged down into attrition warfare for minor gains.
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BRITISH TROOPS ADVANCING THROUGH A GAS CLOUD.AT LO WAR DIARY FOR THE BATTALION FOR SEPTEMBER 1915 War Diary for September 1915. 1-9-15. Battalion marched to CAMBRIN, 1 Company in CUINCHY SUPPORT POINT, 1 Company in CAMBRIN SUPPORT POINT, 1 Coy in MAISON ROUGE dugouts, and 1 Company in ANNEQUIN. 6-9-15. HQ moved from CAMBRIN to ANNEQUIN. [Comment; Private 3399 Frederick BENTLEY died of wounds] 8-9-15. The Battalion moved into Z2 section and relived the 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Casualties during four days were - 2nd Lieut. N.P. Gold [Norman P. GOLD] wounded, 1 man killed [comment; Acting L/Cpl 2264 Alec Harry DODWELL killed 11-9-15], 3 wounded. 12-9-15. Battalion was relieved by the 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifles and marched back into billets at BEUVRY. 16-9-15. The Battalion relieved 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifles in A1 section. 19-9-15. The Battalion was relieved by the 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifles in A1 section 20-9-15. The Battalion relieved 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifles in A1 section 24-9-15. 2/Lieut. Grice [William Lucas GRICE] and 2/Lieut. Smallwood [Eric Butler SMALLWOOD, MC] joined the battalion from the 3rd/1st battalion. The Battalion was relieved by the 1st Kings in A1 section, two Companies, No.2 and No.3 at BRADDELL POINT, No.4 Company STAFFORD REDOUBT. 25-9-15 [The Battle of Loos]. About 6.30am the 1st Kings attacked but never reached the German trenches as they were held up by heavy machine gun fire and No.3 and No.4 Companies who were in close support were ordered not to advance. We then assumed normal conditions.
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26-9-15. We relieved half of the Kings line with one company. [Comment; Private 3330 Bert MILLS died of wounds] 27-9-15. at 5pm we made another gas attack on the enemy as on the 25th but were ordered not to advance unless the enemy had ad suffered from it. At 5.30pm we sent out a patrol but they were immediately fired at by enemy machine guns and in consequence we did not attack. Neither did the 1st Kings. From 25th to 30th our casualties were approximately Captain Smeathman [Lovel Francis Franc SMEATHMAN, MC] wounded, Lieut. Molony [Brian Charles MOLONY] suffered from gas poisoning, OR's wounded or suffering from gas poisoning 25. [Comment; Private 3936 George Thomas GINN died from illness in England and Private 1665 Alfred BURT VC won his Vic Victoria toria Cross today] 30-9-15.. The 6th Brigade was relieved, the B Battalion being relieved by the 9th Cheshire Regiment and marched back to billets at the eastern end of BETHUNE. BETHUNE.� On the 27th September 1915 the battalion were lined up in their trenches waiting to go 'over the top' near Cuinchy. Their section of the line came under heavy machine gun fire, forcing even more men into their already crowded trenches. Just at that time, a German Trench Mortar barrage hit them and an incredibly powerful 'minenwerfer' shell landed in their midst. It did not explode immediately so, without thought, Alfred ran to it, held it firm with one foot, pulled the fuse out and threw it over the parapet before it could explode in amongst them. It was estimated that his selfless actions ions saved the lives of 20 or more of his comrades. MEDALS Corporal Burt was presented with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace in March 1916 and continued to serve on the Western Front, rising to the rank of Sergeant, until his battalion batta were disembodied in 1919.
Victoria Cross: 1914 (Mons) Star: British War Medal (1914 (1914-20): 20): Victory Medal (1914-19): (1914 King George VI Coronation Medal (1937): Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953). His medals were presented to the Hertfordshir Hertfordshire e Regiment Museum in Hertford by Burt's daughter in 1979 and are now on display in the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment Museum at Wardown Park in Luton, Bedfordshire. POST WAR After the war, Sergeant Burt was one of the Honour Guard during the internment of the Unknown Warrior on Thursday 11th November 1920. The Guard, which included many VC holders, Between the wars Burt ran a pub but poor health stopped any thoughts of him serving se during the Second World War. He was also one of the Victoria Cross holders who attended the end of Second The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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World War Victory Day Celebration Reception held at the Dorchester Hotel in London on the 8th June 1946 CITATION The citation for the medal reads: "For For most conspicuous bravery at Cuinchy on 27th September, 1915. His company had lined the front trench preparatory to an attack when a large “minenwerfer bomb fell into the trench. Corporal Burt, who well knew the destructive power of this class o off bomb, might easily have got under cover behind a traverse, but he immediately went forward, put his foot on the fuse, wrenched it out of the bomb and threw it over the parapet, thus rendering the bomb innocuous. His presence of mind and great pluck saved the lives of others in the traverse traverse� .COMMEMORATION Alfred Burt died on the 9th June 1962 aged 67 as a result of complications caused by his exposure to a gas attack during the war To commemorate him a street was named after him in a new development in Chesham. It was done to mark the bravery of th this Hertfordshire-born born soldier who moved to Chesham in 1925, where he managed the New Inn pub in Waterside. 1931 TO 1939
West Herts Crematorium Watford Hertfordshire, England where he was cremated
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COLLINGS-WELLS, John Stanhope VC He was born on 19th July 1880 and the General Register Office Index shows that he was born in Chorlton [Lancashire]. The 1881 census has him living at 3 Albert Place, Rusholme Lancashire with his father, 23 year old Arthur, originally from Chelmsford [Essex] and described as an engineering speciality inventor and agent and his mother, 25 year old Caroline, from Colchester Essex. John was seventeen when the family moved from Mill Hill [Middlesex] to Caddington Hall, in Bedfordshire in June 1898. He was also churchwarden at All Saints’ Church in Caddington His connection with Hertfordshire was his enlistment in the Hertfordshire Militia, and was commissioned into the Bedfordshire Regiment on 14 March 1904. He was made lieutenant in September 1904 and captain in January 1907. In July 1881the Militia became part of the Bedfordshire Regiment as 4th Battalion (Hertfordshire Militia). Hertfordshire had no regular infantry regiment hence the attachment to the Bedfordshire Regiment which was the 16th Regiment of Foot.
OUT BREAK OF WAR On the outbreak of World War One in August 1914 the battalion was embodied for service as a garrison unit which also provided drafts to replace casualties in the 1st and 2nd Battalions, both serving on the Western Front. However Collings-Wells actually went to France on 6th November 1914 when he joined 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment as a captain. He did not serve long, being wounded on 15th January 1915 in front line trenches near Fleurbaix. The first to go into action in Belgium became immortalised as the “Old Contemptibles” after the issue of the following “ORDER OF THE DAY” given by Kaiser Wilhelm II on 19th August 1914 “It is my Royal & Imperial command that you concentrate your energies, for the immediate present upon one single purpose, and that is that you address all your skill and all the valour of my soldiers to exterminate the treacherous English; walk over General French’s contemptible little army.” He returned to the front lines. In July 1916, with the rank of Major, in command of a company. He was promoted to acting Lieutenant-Colonel in October 1916. The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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The first action the battalion took part in was during the dying days of the Battle of the Somme which had begun on 1st July 1916. On 13th November the 63rd Division attacked German positions in waterlogged ground around Beaucourt, one of the objectives for the very first day of the battle – 136 days before. The state of the ground must have caused many wry comments from the soldiers about the need to send in the navy! Major Collings-Wells was now in command of the battalion. The war diary simply says: “The Battalion advanced with the remainder of the Brigade at 6.45 am and sustained heavy casualties among Officers and NCOs in and near the enemy front line from a strongpoint established between enemy front line and second line which had been passed over by the leading Brigades. Battalion advanced to enemy second line and from there parties pushed forward to Station Road and beyond”. This action cost 4th Bedfords 9 officers killed, 5 wounded, 57 other ranks killed, 108 wounded and 16 missing – a total of 195 out of a probable total of around a thousand men. Collings-Wells escaped injury; he was promoted to acting lieutenantcolonel with effect from 26th October. In June 1917 Captain (Acting Lieutenant-Colonel) Collings-Wells was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. In September he assumed temporary command of 190th Brigade for a week. On 30th October 1917 the battalion made an attack which was part of the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele. The attack took place not far from that village. The war diary is typically terse: “Battalion attacked at 5.50 a.m. 7th R.F. on left, Artists Rifles on right. Canadian Corps on Right of Artists. Canadian attack was successful, but our attack was held up by very heavy and boggy ground surrounding the Paddebeek and a total advance of about 150-200 yards only was made. Casualties - Officers killed. Capt. L. C. T. Gate. 2nd Lt. A. E. Tee - Wounded. Capt. J. Scott Lt. C. H. Wareing, Lt. K. V. R. Gold. 2nd Lt. S. A. Glossop. 2nd Lt. V. Bornet. 2nd Lt. Ivey, 2nd Lt. Radwell, Other Ranks killed 52. Wounded 150. Missing 23”. Collings-Wells was subsequently mentioned in dispatches. On 21st March 1918 the Germans launched a surprise attack on the over-extended British 5th Army, trying to make use of their extra manpower now that Russia had been knocked out of the war and before the Americans could arrive in large numbers. Their attack was very successful forcing a headlong retreat of about fifty miles. 4th Bedfords were then at a village called Ribecourt-la-Tour – all the war diary says is: “Enemy attacked and captured front line posts. Brigade was withdrawn to 2nd line defence.” Over the next few days they retreated via Neuville, Ypres, Bazentin-le-Petit and Coucelette to High Wood and Thiepval on the old Somme battlefield; the latter village had been captured by 7th Bedfords in September 1916. The town of Albert, hub of the 1916 battles and held since 1914 fell to the Germans and 4th Bedfords took up positions at Bouzincourt Ridge on 26th March. The next day they attacked – the war diary says: “Battalion was moved south to a position west of Albert where they attacked the Railway at 7.30 a. m. Lt. Col. J. S. Collings-Wells, D. S. O. Major G. P. Nunneley, 2/Lt. D. H. Macklin, 2.Lt. O. J. Soames killed, Lieutenants. C. Keith-Johnston M. C., J. B. Primrose-Wells, 2. Lieutenants. L. Hambling & W. Broughton wounded. Capt. L. G. Plumbly M.C. took over command of the Battalion temporarily from this date”.
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MEDALS John's parents at Buckingham Palace June 1918
Victoria Cross: Distinguished Service Order: 1914 Star: British War Medal (1914-20): Victory Medal (1914-19) with MiD Oakleaf. COMMEMORATION John's remains were known to be buried in one of the graves from those who were killed in the dugout on 27th March 1918, but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission could not say for certain which one. However, a peculiar sequence of circumstances changed things, as described in an undated letter to "The Times". "Dear Sir, When serving as a junior commissioned officer in the 4th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment (then attached to the 63rd Division) in France during 1916 I was invalided from the trenches and sent to the nearest base, where I underwent medical treatment until fit again for active service. Before leaving my battalion in 1916, and at the special request of one of our then Captains, I gave him my map case, bearing my own name stamped thereon, having no further need for it. I thought no more of the matter until about a couple of years ago, when I received a communication from the Imperial War Graves Commission, returning the same map case, battered and mud-stained almost beyond all recognition. They informed me that it had been found with the remains of an officer in the Bedfordshire Regiment, identified as such by the tunic buttons, who, it was thought, had fallen early in 1918. I immediately identified the map case as the one I had formerly given to Captain Collings-Wells, of my own battalion, when I left them in 1916, and informed the Imperial War Graves Commission to that effect. This officers relatives were inclined to accept this evidence, after consultation with the authorities at the Imperial War Graves Commission, and a memorial cross is now being erected at Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, near Albert, to Lieutenant-Colonel J.S. Collings-Wells V.C D.S.O., etc. Yours faithfully, G. Martin"
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Wells memorial in the chancel June 2012 Memorial to John Stanhope Collings-Wells Collings John Collings-Wells inside St John the Baptist Church, Markyate
His body was brought home and buried in St Etheldreda Churchyard, Hatfield, Welwyn Hatfield District, Hertfordshire. John Collings Collings-Wells memorial is in the chancel June 2012.
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CLOUTMAN, Sir BRETT Mackay VC, QC Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Brett Mackay Cloutman VC MC KC (7 November 1891 – 15 August 1971) was a British Army officer who was 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. Brett Cloutman was educated at Berkhamsted Preparatory School and his secondary education was at Bishop's Stortford College and London University where he was a member of the Royal Engineers contingent of the university's Officers' Training Corps. At the outbreak of World War I Cloutman enlisted as a Rifleman in the Rangers (12th Battalion, London Regiment), reached the rank of Lance-Corporal, and in 1915 was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Kent (Fortress) Engineers, a Territorial Force unit CITATION A few weeks later the action took place for which Cloutman won his VC. The official citation read: “For most conspicuous bravery on the 6th November, 1918, at Pont-sur-Sambre. Major Cloutman, after reconnoitring the river crossings, found the Quartes Bridge almost intact but prepared for demolition. Leaving his party under cover he went forward alone, swam across the river, and, having cut the "leads" from the charges, returned the same way, despite the fact that the bridge and all approaches thereto were swept by enemy shells and machine-gun fire at close range. Although the bridge was blown up later in the day by other means, the abutments remained intact.” The bridge had been prepared for demolition by the Germans, and was well defended. By cutting the wires, Cloutman prevented the enemy from blowing it up at the time. He was seen at the bridge, however, and escaped under an intense fire from its guards. The fact that the abutments were not destroyed later meant that the bridge could be more quickly replaced by the Allies. This was the last act to win a VC in the First World War.
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POST WAR After the war Cloutman became a lawyer and was cal called led to the Bar at Gray's Inn in 1926. In World War II he served again in the Royal Engineers and received a mention in despatches. He became a King's Counsel in 1946 and in 1947 he was appointed Senior Chairman of the War Pensions Tribunal. He was Senior O Official fficial Referee of the Supreme Court of Judicature (now the Senior Courts of England and Wales) 1954 1954-63. 63. He was knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 1957. He was Master of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers 1939 1939–40 and 1965–66. President of theHornsey the (N London) YMCA; Chairman of the Metropolitan Union of YMCA. He was also Governor, Eltham College. Published: (joint) The Law Relating to Authors and Publishers; The Law Relating to Printers MEDALS His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Engi Engineers Museum, Chatham, Kent.
(1914-20): Victory Medal (1914--19): 1939 - 45 Star: Victoria Cross: Military Cross: British War Medal (1914 Africa Star: Italy Star: Defence Medal (1939-45): War Medal (1939-45)) + MiD Oak leaf: King George VI Coronation Medal (1937): Queen Elizabeth II Coronat Coronation Medal (1953) COMMEMORATED He died on the 15.08.1971 at Highgate, North London He e is commemorated at Berkhamsted School
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Memorial Hall at Bishop Stortford School
He was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium and his ashes buried beside his brother Lieutenant Wolfred Cloutman,, who died on 28 August 1915 and who lies in the Norfolk Cemetery, Somme, France
A ceremony to unveil a plaque to honour the 14 MEN awarded the Victoria Cross who were cremated at Golders Green Crematorium, was held on Sunday 7th April 2014 The Parade comprised Chelsea Pensioners and 21 Royal British Legion Standard Bearers, members of o all of the local cadet forces and their officers.
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COX, Christopher Augustus VC Christopher Augustus Cox was born Christmas Day 1889 in Kings Langley. In 1912 he married Maud Swan with whom he eventually had eight children. Christopher Cox after leaving school, worked as a farm hand. WORLD WAR 1 Private Christopher Augustus Cox VC (25 Dec 1889-24 Aug 1959). 'B' Company, 7th (Service) Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment. Enlisting in the Bedfordshire Regiment, he went to France on 26 July 1915. Christopher served as a Private and Stretcher Bearer in the 7th battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. He was wounded in the leg on the 1st July 1916 when the 7th battalion stormed not only the first two German trench lines but also took the Pommiers redoubt. Christopher was back with the battalion in time for the storming of Thiepval and the Schwaben Redoubt in September 1916 and served through the winter of 1916 / 1917. He survived the assault on the Miraumont trench system in February 1917 during the Ancre operations and won his Victoria Cross in March 1917 when his battalion was one of those who pursued the Germans as they fell back onto the formidable Hindenburg Line defences. The 54th brigade moved into the Loupart Line on the 13th March with Christopher and the 7th Bedfords being south of Achiet-le-Grand. Although the Germans were withdrawing to the Hindenburg Line they fought a controlled rearguard action and held Achiet-le-Grand and Bihucourt villages strongly. The 54th Brigade had to advance 2 miles over open ground which took five days and cost many casualties. The 13th March saw him carrying several wounded Bedfords back to the dressing stations through a horrendous barrage and sustained machine gun fire. On arrival at the station each time he did not hesitate to turn around and return to the battlefield in search of more wounded men. On the 14th, his company were in the rear but the stretcher bearers were called on for assistance. Having advanced straight through the barrage across open ground to the line of shell holes the advance had dug in around, he set about moving blatantly from hole to hole dressing all the wounds he could find. After he had covered all he could find he started carrying the most badly hurt men back on his back as there were no stretchers available. The first 200 yards were covered under intensive, aimed machine gun fire but he dashed across the open, completely ignoring the fire
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as he went. Onlookers were amazed to see him return unhurt some time later, when he went back with a second man. This continued all day and into the night. From his actions on the 15th Second Lieutenant Chapman is quoted as saying 'I saw him wandering about in front of hill 130 in the front wave attending to the wounded. He showed absolutely contempt of the volume of machine gun fire and heavy bombardment, although M.G. opened on single targets. I previously saw him carry back a man on his back on three different occasions, and on withdrawing my Company I found he had similarly treated six others, two of whom were wounded a second time while he was carrying them.' The village of Achiet-le-Grand finally fell to them after four days heavy fighting on 17 March. When the 7th Bedfords' attack was halted by ferocious German fire, the whole line took cover in shell-holes. Cox, acting as a stretcher-bearer in ' B' Company, went out on his own and rescued four men. He then went out again to bring in wounded from adjoining units, some of whom he carried to safety on his back. Over the course of four days Cox was constantly in the front line, tending the wounded, salvaging drums of machine-gun ammunition and marking out gaps in the barbed wire with tape He also ferried machine gun supplies to where they were needed the most when he returned to the battlefield having dropped a wounded man off. Whilst carrying one man on his back, the wounded man was hit again but Christopher carried on despite knowing he was being targeted by the efficient German gunners. At one point in the day Second Lieutenant Dealler saw him moving through a hail of machine gun fire being aimed at him, completely ignoring it as he did so. He arrived back with the Officer and, having listed what work he had been busy doing, asked for any direction as to the next location of any wounded men. With no immediate reply being forthcoming, Christopher advanced back into the fire on his own initiative and disappeared over the brow of a hill, completely disregarding the attention of the German gunners who had so few targets to fire at. Once he had found all the wounded Bedfords he could, Christopher turned his attention to the Middlesex men who were next to them in the advance. Second Lieutenant Dealler added "He did not rejoin the Company till about 12 hours after and although a very powerful man, whom I have never seen tired before, he was thoroughly exhausted." The 16th saw him ferrying the wounded back from the most advanced point through a hail of machine gun and artillery fire, transferring ammunition across the battlefield and marking out gaps in the enemy wire with tape in full view of the enemy gunners. When the advance was finished and the battalion was hurriedly digging in beneath an intense barrage, Christopher was one of the few men who could be seen above ground where he was busily carrying on moving the wounded back to the aid stations to the rear. The 17th saw him advance to help the company in front of his own as all their stretched bearers had fallen. On passing through the gaps in the enemy wire whilst looking for wounded men he paused to mark the passages that allowed following waves to move quickly through them later on. All told Private Cox must have moved around 20 men from where they fell wounded back to the dressing stations despite intense fire and barrages. With so little movement taking place above ground he was constantly a target for any German observer with a gun yet ignored the obvious The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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danger and repeated the action time and time again. In addition, the number of men he must have dressed as they lay wounded in shell holes is another matter entirely and must surely measure somewhere between 40 and 60. Six weeks later the 18th Division assaulted German positions around Cherisy during the Battle of Arras and the battalion were attacking south of the village. They advanced on the heels of the British bombardment only to find the wire uncut, after which the front waves had no option, but to dig in and shelter from the crossfire and artillery barrage that rained down on them that day. he During the advance he received two wounds to his foot and had to be invalided back to Blackburn in Lancashire. Private Cox was unable to return to the front again after receiving his third wound as he did not regain full fitness afterwards. Instead he helped to train the new recruits rather than being idle and of no use to his country and comrades. Both of Chris’s brothers also served in the War. Harry Cox served in the Navy and survived the war, but James Cox was killed in action in Belgium. He was wounded on the 1st October 1916 and died 2 days later at the No 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station near Poperinghe. He is buried with over 10,000 others in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium Christopher Cox was demobilised in 1919. CITATION London Gazette 11 May 1917: Private Christopher Augustus Cox No. 13908 `”During the attack of his battalion (the 7th Bedfordshire Regiment) the front wave was checked by the severity of the enemy artillery and machine-gun fire, and the whole line had to take cover in shell holes to avoid annihilation. Private Cox, utterly regardless of personal safety, went out into the open over fire-swept ground and single-handed rescued four men. Having collected the wounded of his own battalion, he then assisted to bring in the wounded of an adjoining battalion.
On the two subsequent days he carried out similar rescue work with the same disregard of his own safety. He has on all occasions displayed the same high example of unselfishness and valour.” MEDALS Christopher Cox was presented with the VC by the King on 21st July 1917 at Buckingham Palace. His was one of 32 VCs presented that day. The photograph below shows him with Maud on returning to Kings Langley after the presentation ceremony.
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Christopher and Maud Cox, Taken after receiving his Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross: 1914-15 Star: British War Medal (1914-20): Victory Medal (1914-19): Italy Star: Defence Medal (1939-45): King George VI Coronation Medal (1937): Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953). In addition to Cox's Victoria the IWM also holds his service medals POST WORLD WAR 1 After the war he returned to live in Kings Langley and loved to spend time in his garden. He worked for a few years for a builder, and then worked for another 32 years as a Maintenance Labourer at the Ovaltine Factory. WORLD WAR 2 During the Second World War he served in the Home Guard and again showed his courage by entering the bombed-out Griffin Pub to search for the publican in the ruins. Unfortunately Ted Carter was already dead, the only civilian killed in Kings Langley during the war. POST WORLD WAR 2 After the war he was back at work in the factory when, in 1954 aged 64, he fell off the factory roof. This unavoidable fall put him in hospital on and off for the rest of his life. Christopher Cox, V.C. died 28th April 1959 aged 69, the father of eight children.
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COMMEMORATION
Special memorial panel in the church at Kings Langley Kings Langley village was twinned with Achiet Achiet-le-Grand Grand in France in November 2009, in honour of Christopher Cox
On the 17th March 2007 the unveiling of a plaque of remembrance to Christopher's V.C. and those who fell at Achiet le Grand
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MARTIN-LEAKE, Arthur VC L.R.C.P., F.R.C.S. He was born at Standon; near Ware on the 4th April 1874.He was the fifth son of Stephen Martin-Leake of Thor Hall, Essex. Arthur was educated at Westminster School, and at the University College Hospital, qualifying in 1893. He saw active service in the South African War, leaving his appointment at the district hospital in Hemel Hempstead and joined the Hertfordshire Company of the Imperial Yeomanry as a trooper. BOER WAR He first encountered action at Princeloo's Surrender and then at the relief of Hoar's Laager. He then joined the South African Constabulary as a Surgeon-Captain under General Baden-Powell. On 8th February 1902, he was awarded the Victoria Cross "For great devotion to duty and self-sacrifice at Vlakfontein, 8 Feb 1902, when he went out into the firing-line to dress a wounded man under very heavy fire from about forty Boers only 100 yards off. When he had done all he could for him, he went over to a badly wounded officer, and while trying to place him in a more comfortable position he was shot about three times. He only gave up when thoroughly exhausted, and then he refused water until other wounded men had been served." Whilst recovering from his wounds CITATION FIRST VC The London Gazette: no. 27433. p. 3176. 13 May 1902. “During the action at Vlakfontein, on the 8th February, 1902, Surgeon-Captain Martin-Leake went up to a wounded man and attended to him under a heavy fire from about 40 Boers at 100 yards range. He then went to the assistance of a wounded Officer, and, whilst trying to place him in a comfortable position, was shot three times, but would not give in till he rolled over thoroughly exhausted. All the eight men at this point were wounded, and while they were lying on the Veldt, Surgeon-Captain Martin-Leake refused water till everyone else had been served� The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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Arthur studied and then passed the F.R.C.S. in 1903. He then took up the appointment of Chief Medical Officer of the Bengal-Nagpur Railway. Arthur also saw active service in 1912, when the Balkan War began. He sailed to Europe and served with the British Red Cross with the Montenegrin Army. He was present at the fighting at Scutari and Tarabosh Mountain, and for his work there was awarded the Order of the Montenegrin Red Cross. He then returned to his work in India. WORLD WAR 1 At the outbreak of the Great War, Arthur again left for Europe and was posted, in the rank of Lieutenant, to the 5th Field Ambulance, serving with 'C' Section. In March 1915, he was promoted to Captain, and then Major in the November the same year. He was also awarded a Gold Medal by the British Medical Association. On 3rd April 1917 he was appointed Commanding Officer of a Field Ambulance serving at the rank of acting Lieutenant Colonel (46th Field Ambulance), he also served as Commanding Officer to a Casualty Clearing Station, when he was Mentioned in Despatches. CITATION FOR BAR TO THE VC The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29074. page 1700. 16 February 1916 He was awarded a Bar to his Victoria Cross during the First Battle of Ypres - "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty throughout the campaign, especially during the period 29 Oct to 3 Nov 1914, near Zonnebeke, in rescuing, whilst exposed to constant fire, a large number of the wounded who were lying close to the enemy's trenches." – Arthur was the first person to ever win a Bar to the Victoria Cross. BETWEEN THE WARS At the end of the war he returned to his work at the Bengal-Nagpur Railway. In 1937 he retired to his estate at Marshalls near Ware, Hertfordshire. He saw service again during World War Two when he commanded an ARP Unit. MEDALS
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Victoria Cross & Bar: Queen's South Africa Medal (1899 (1899-1902) 1902) with 3 clasps for "Cape Colony" - "Transvaal" - "Wittebergen": King's South Africa Medal ( 1901 1901-02 02 ) with 2 clasps: "South Africa 1901" - "South Africa 1902": 1914 Star - clasp "5th Aug-22nd 22nd Nov 1914": British War Medal (1914-20): Victory Medal ( 1914--19 19 ) + MiD Oakleaf : King George V Silver Jubilee Medal ( 1935 ):King George VI Coronation Medal (1937): Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953): Indian Volunteer Forces Officers' Decoration: Order of the Red Cross (Montenegro): British Red Cross Society Balkan War Medal (1912-13) 13) with clasp "Montenegro" COMMEMORATED Arthur died at Ware; Hertfordshire on the 22 June 1953 (aged 79)
St John the Evangelist st Churchyard, High Cross, East Hertfordshire District, Hertfordshire. Plot: Leake Family Plot
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McKEAN, George Burdon VC MC MM PREWAR He was born 4 July 1888 at 102 High Street, Willington, County Durham, England. His father is listed on the birth certificate as a furniture broker, James McKean. However James is shown as a coal miner (hewer) in the 1901 census aged 27 and Jane Ann Henderson his mother aged 33. Orphaned when young, he lived with a sister in Bishop Auckland before migrating in 1902 to join two brothers in Canada at age 14. After several years working on his brother's farm, he enrolled at Robertson College, Edmonton, working as a student missionary during his summer breaks. In 1913 he became involved with the Scout movement, and founded his church's first troop. He married his first wife Isabel Hall in 1915 WORLD WAR 1 January 1915 he finally enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, having three times been turned down. He enlisted as a private in the 51st Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. In 1916 he transferred to the 14th Battalion (The Royal Montreal Regiment). He came to England at the end of March 1916. By early July he was in France as a corporal in the 14th Battalion and part of the 1st Canadian Division. He as slight of build, just 5ft 6ins tall and barely nine stones in weight. He fought in the battle of the Somme and was awarded the Military Medal at Bully-Grenay, near Lens. He was awarded a commission in 1917. He was frequently given scouting duties, and would later write "It was the pure love of adventure that attracted me to scouting". In 1918 he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his part in capturing a German trench block near Vimy Ridge. He leaped over the blockade and killed two German soldiers. His men followed him and the barricade was overcome, and the trench occupied. The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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He was later awarded the Military Cross for leading a battalion in capturing over a hundred enemy soldiers at Cagnicourt. He was seriously injured in this action and invalided to England, where he remained for the remainder of the war. Following a period in England where he gained a commission and the rank of Lieutenant, he returned to his battalion in France. On the 28th April 1918, on the Gavrelle Sector, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. In the action his party was on the right flank and held up at a block in the communication trench by very heavy fire. The block was too close to call on the allies’ heavy artillery, was wellprotected by wire and covered by a machine gun thirty yards behind. The whole operation was threatened so Lieut. McKean ran out into the open with utter disregard of danger, jumped over the block headfirst on top of the enemy. While lying there another solder rushed at him with fixed bayonet. McKean shot the attacker and then the man on whom he was lying. He then singlehandedly engaged the enemy by fearlessly attacking a second block, killing two, capturing four others and driving the remaining garrison into a dug-out where they were all destroyed. CITATION The citation for the V.C. stated “for the most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during a raid on the enemy’s trenches” and “for had he not captured this position the whole of the raiding party would have been exposed to dangerous enfilading fire during the withdrawal. His leadership at all times has been beyond praise.” He was sent home but on 18th August he returned to the front line. On 2nd September, at Cagnicourt, he was wounded in the leg but later that morning; with two of his men he captured the town and several hundred Germans. As a result the main Canadian force was able to pass safely through and capture their main objective. He was recommended for a bar to the V.C., but received an M.C. for this action. MEDALS Medal entitlement of Captain George Burdon MCKEAN: 14th Battalion, Quebec Regiment, CEF
Victoria Cross: Military Cross: Military Medal: British War Medal (1914-20): Victory Medal (1914-19) POST WAR He left hospital in 1919.At the end of the war he transferred to the British Army about 1924 the Corps of Military and commanded the Bureau of Information at the Khaki University of Canada in London, an institution which prepared soldiers for civilian life The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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He married his second wife, Constance and they had a daughter. At some stage he and his wife came to Potters Bar and settled at No 8 (now 16) Dove Lane in 1926. He had already gone into business with Mr Janes, of the Duke of York Hotel, Ganwick Corner in late 1925, setting up sawmills at The Ridgeway, Cuffley. On the 26th November 1926 Captain McKean was in the act of cutting a log when the saw shattered and a piece fractured his skull. The injuries were so severe that he died five hours later in Potters Bar Hospital. COMMEMORATION His medals and portrait can be seen at the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Mount McKean in the Canadian Rockies are named in his honour
He was buried with full military honours at Brighton. The local branch of the Potters Bar British Legion was represented at Woodvale Cemetery and Crematorium Brighton.
In September 2003 Captain McKean’s daughter, grand-daughter and great grand-daughter along with many French locals attended a ceremony in Church Square, Cagnicourt, when it was renamed ‘Plas de George Burdon McKean’. In front of the nearby church a plaque was unveiled which commemorated his gallantry eighty-five years earlier. On the left and wearing the medals is The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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McKean's daughter: Pat Stanley: David Mitsui of Edmonton, Alberta Canada, (Grandson of Masumi Mitsui MM); On the right are Sophie and Mark Harri Harris who are McKean's great grandchildren and Sue Harris: a granddaughter. REFERENCE WEBMATTERS website He wrote a book about his war experiences, "Scouting Thrills" (1919) and later published "Making Good, a Story of North-West West Canada" (1921), a book for chi children ldren about ranching in Alberta.
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McREADY-DIARMID, Allastair Malcolm Cluny VC He was born on March 2, 1888 at New Southgate, Middlesex. He was the son of Herbert Leslie Drew and Fanny A. Drew (nee McReady), of 71 Goldsmith Avenue, Acton. He was the third of four sons of the Drew family and they all entered school under the name of Drew Their mother came from Jersey in the Channel Islands. As a boy Allastair went to Queen Elizabeth Boys' Grammar School, Barnet, and Victoria College in Jersey. At that time Barnet belonged to the County of Hertfordshire this lasted until 1965, when it became part of Greater London under the London Government Act 1963 He spent most of his life in Tottenham before the war. WORLD WAR 1 He was commissioned via the University of London OTC, into the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment in March 1915. Soon after his arrival at the Front he was wounded and it is believed that he was sent on convalescence to the Gloucestershire town of Dursley. Here he met Hilda his wife-to-be and he was married in the Parish Church in September 1915. It was about this time he changed his name by deed poll. He returned to the Front in October 1915 and it appears that he was wounded again, which meant that he missed the Somme campaign. After a period with a training battalion in Kent, he returned to France in late 1916 and joined the 17th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment in April 1917, when it took part in the Battle of Arras. On 1 July 1917 he was promoted to Lieutenant and about this time came home to Dursley on leave, to see his daughter, born in May of that year, for the one and only time. On 26 October 1917 he was promoted to Temporary Captain. He was killed by a bomb on December 1, 1917 and was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously on March 15, 1918. CAMBRAI The Battle of Cambrai opened on 20 November 1917 and after an initial significant advance, thanks to the deployment of tanks in numbers for the first time, the Germans counter-attacked strongly. 2 Division was rushed to Cambrai and into the line near the village of Moeuvres. On 30 November Allastair led his men in a successful counter-attack to stem a significant German attack The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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across the Canal du Nord, then under construction. There was no let up the next day and the Divisional History records: "It was at this period that what was probably the finest bombing exploit of the whole war took place. Captain A M C McReady - Diarmid of D Company, 17th Middlesex Regiment, seeing the position, called for volunteers from his company. Arming himself with a plentiful supply of bombs, he rushed forward and attacked the enemy. With extraordinary gallantry, and with such splendid bomb throwing as was seldom seen, he gradually drove the enemy back up the trench down which his troops had forced their way. “By throwing all the bombs himself,” said the Official Report, “this officer killed and otherwise disposed of 94 of the enemy – 67 dead and 27 wounded were actually counted after the recapture of the trench, a feat which can hardly, if ever, have been equalled in the past.” Every foot of the 300 yards of lost trench was regained, and by his deliberate disregard of danger, his cheerfulness and coolness, Captain McReady - Diarmid inspired all who saw him. It was a marvellous performance but alas! the gallant officer, having won back for his battalion the lost ground, was himself killed by an enemy bomb almost at the moment of his final triumph. He had, however, by his brave action, and by the same spirit of devotion displayed on the previous day, won for the 2nd Division the second Victoria Cross awarded to it during the Cambrai operations of 1917. CITATION "The London Gazette," dated 12th March, 1918, records the following: - "For most conspicuous bravery and brilliant leadership. When the enemy penetrated some distance into our position and the situation was extremely critical, Capt. McReady-Diarmid at once led his company forward through a heavy barrage. He immediately engaged the enemy, with such success that he drove them back at least 300 yards, causing numerous casualties and capturing 27 prisoners. The following day the enemy again attacked and drove back another company which had lost all its officers. This gallant officer at once called for volunteers and attacked. He drove them back again for 300 yards, with heavy casualties. Throughout this attack Capt. McReady-Diarmid led the way himself, and it was absolutely and entirely due to his marvellous throwing of bombs that the ground was regained. His absolute disregard for danger, his cheerfulness and coolness at a most trying time, inspired all who saw him. This most gallant officer was eventually killed by a bomb when the enemy had been driven right back to their original starting point." MEDALS Victoria Cross: 1914-15 Star: British War Medal: Victory Medal His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum, Chelsea, England.
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COMMEMORATION At Victoria College in Jersey he is remembered:remembered: “1914 - 1918 One hundred and twenty seven Old Victorians (staff and boys) laid down their lives in the First World War. Their names are engraved on the plinth beneath Sir Galahad in the College Quad and in the First Book of Remembrance.� Remembrance.
1918
Cambrai Memorial, Louverva
l
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Reverend MELLISH, Edward Noel VC He served as a private in the Boer War in the Artist’s Rifles attached to Baden-Powell's police He gained the rank of Temporary Chaplain in 1915 in the service of the Army Chaplain's Department.
Captain Mellish was the first member of the army chaplaincy to win the VC. Edward Noel Mellish was born on Christmas Eve 1880 at Oakleigh Park, Barnet, North London, the son of Edward and Mary Mellish. He was educated at Saffron Walden Grammar School and on completing his studies was to become a member of the Artists Rifles which stood him in good stead for the future . BOER WAR In 1900 aged 20 he went to South Africa and served with Baden-Powell's police against the Boers. One who served with him at this time described him as the bravest man he knew; "On one occasion his unit being surrounded by Boers there seemed little hope for them. Edward Mellish was given the task of summoning help. Somehow he got through but then with his duty done he returned to his comrades to tell them help was on the way and to assist with the defence until reinforcements arrived". PREWAR After the war he returned to England for a while only to return to South Africa to take up a post in the diamond mines at Jagersfontein. During his time there he assisted at a local church and native mission where he would read the lessons and also minister to the sick and needy. He made a great impression on the local populace, one of whom was to remark; "It is such men as Mr Mellish who restore one's faith in mankind." The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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Feeling that his work in Africa was over Edward Mellish returned to England to study at Kings College London taking holy orders in 1912 to become curate at St Pauls Church in Deptford. Here he did great work with the Church Lads Brigade taking over an old public house behind the Empire Music Hall and turning it into a boys club. The youngsters insisted on naming it after their curate and it became known as the Noel Club
WORLD WAR 1 When the war broke out Edward Mellish had no hesitation in offering his services to the chaplaincy and was to serve from May 1915 until February 1919. Tragedy was to befall him however when on September 25th of 1915 his brother 2nd Lieutenant Richard Coppin Mellish was killed in action whilst serving with the 1st Middlesex Regiment at the Battle of Loos. Early 1916 found the Reverend Mellish attached to the 4th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers who at that time were serving in the notorious Ypres Salient. The "Action of the St Eloi Craters" went on from late March until mid April 1916 but it was to be the first three days of this action that were to bring the award of the Victoria Cross to Edward Mellish.
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The object of the operation was to cut away a German salient that encroached on the British lines over a front of about six hundred yards. Tunnelling companies had prepared six mines which were blown in the early hours of March 27th. Following this at 4-15am was the 4th Royal Fusiliers with the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers and some Canadian units went over the top to come up against withering rifle, machine gun and artillery fire from the Jaeger regiment manning the enemy trenches. Despite the opposition the attackers did manage to take the German first line trench but then had to consolidate, so weakened were they by the ferocity of the opposition. Artillery duels then commenced which went on for several days. Eventually the beleaguered British units were relieved, yet local attacks went on in the area until the middle of May." It was however the three day period of 27th - 29th March which would see the Reverend Mellish move into the annals of the Victoria Cross. A quote from a letter by an officer of the Northumberland Fusiliers who had witnessed these actions: "Nothing could be finer than the way Captain Mellish did his duty and more than his duty during the time he was near us. Immediately the troops captured the trenches and while the wounded were picking their way painfully back, the enemy's guns were turned on full blast and the intervening ground was deluged with shell and machine gun fire. Into this tempest of fire the brave Parson walked with a prayer book under his arm as though on church parade in peace time. He reached the first of the wounded and knelt down to do what he could for them. The first few he brought in himself without any aid and it made us think a bit more of parsons to see how he walked quietly under fire assisting the slow moving wounded and thinking more of saving them from discomfort than of his own safety. It was only during a lull in the fighting when the ambulance parties could get out that he finally took a rest.
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Next day he was out again unconcerned as ever. Some of the men would not have survived the ordeal had it not been for the prompt assistance rendered to them by Mr Mellish." On the 27th March, Mellish went out in the battleground and brought back ten badly wounded men from an area that was potentially lethal as it was covered by the arc of fire from many machine guns. On the 28th March, the Royal Fusiliers had been relieved but undeterred Mellish once more went out into the killing ground to bring in twelve more men and as dusk came on the 29th, Mellish led a party of volunteers to recover any wounded who remained. For those who question why men serve as Chaplains in a military setting - perhaps the words of a (Cockney) wounded soldier from the 1914-18 conflict, who he had brought to safety and previously been notoriously anti-church, will sum it up: Safe in hospital talking to his mates he was asked "What religion is 'e".? When told he replied,"Well I'm the same as 'im now and the bloke as sez a word agen our church will 'ave 'is ****** 'ead bashed in. POST WAR He was vicar of St. Marys Church Great Dunmow in Essex from 1928 to 1948 WORLD WAR 2 During the Second World War, Mellish served as an Air Raid Warden.
MEDALS
Victoria Cross: 1914-15 Star: Military Cross: Queen’s Medal SA: King’s Medal SA: 1914-1915 Star: British War Medal (1914-20): Victory Medal (1914-19): King George VI Coronation Medal (1937): Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953). The medals are kept at the Royal Fusiliers Museum at the Tower of London CITATION London Gazetted, April 20th 1916 His citation for the VC reads:- "On three consecutive days, the 27 to 29 March 1916, during the heavy fighting at St. Eloi, Belgium, he went to-and fro continuously between the original trenches and the captured enemy trenches, attending to and rescuing wounded men. The first day, from an area swept by machine-gun fire, he rescued 10 severely wounded men. Although his battalion was relieved on the second day, he returned and rescued 12 more of the wounded. Taking charge of a group of volunteers, on the third day, he again returned to the trenches
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in order to rescue the remaining wounded. This excellent work was done voluntarily and was far outside the sphere of his normal duties" The he Revd Mellish was awarded the Victoria Cross which he received from the King at Buckingham Palace on June 12th 1916 COMMEMORATED
He was vicar of St. Marys Church Great Dunmow in Essex from 1928 to 1948 and this memorial plaque in the church commemorates his valiant deed during the Great War He died on 8 July 1962 at South Petherton, Somerset, England He was cremated at Weymouth Crematorium in Dorset and his ashes scattered
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PEARKES, George Randolph VC DSO MC He was born in Watford, Hertfordshire 26th Feb 1888. In 1896, at the age of eight, George R. Pearkes was sent to Berkhamsted School, located about 15 miles from Watford, and remained there until 1906. He later said that his school days shaped his attitudes toward life more than anything else, and instilled in him a sense of duty which he demonstrated many times throughout his life. He is quoted as saying "And I'm certain that my public school days influenced my whole life more than anything else that I can think of. I am sure that the idea of playing for a team, for the school, influenced all my life and I see it, the further I look back, why the sense of duty in the war to your battalion, to your men and even when one goes through to Parliament, why you have your Constituency, and so forth. The sense of doing your duty was inculcated to you in those very impressionable days." At Berkhamsted, Pearkes trained in the school cadet corps and hoped to enter the Royal Military Sandhurst Academy to prepare for a career in the military, but these hopes were dashed when his father suffered financial reverses. His father also could not afford to support a university education for his son. Pearkes, therefore, decided to emigrate to Canada. In May 1906, George Pearkes went to Canada and began working on a farm near Red Deer, Alberta, which was run by the Berkhamsted Headmaster, Dr. Thomas C. Fry, as a school farm for Berkhamsted boys. Pearkes remained there for two years, then took a job at a nearby farm to gain more experience. In 1909, he set up his own homestead site on a quarter-section near Dovercourt, Alberta. In 1910, his brother Edward, who had also been at the Berkhamsted Farm, joined him on the homestead. Later that year, their mother and sister also moved to Canada settling with George and "Ted" on the farm. He is seen here in 1913 in his Mountie uniform at Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. He is in scarlet serge and blue breeches but has dark blue stockings instead of the Strathcona boots. His brown fur cap has earflaps tied up. The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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WW1 Pearkes went to the West Coast, visiting his mother and sister before joining the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles in Victoria. Initially Corporal G.R. Pearkes was involved in training horses for the Second Canadian Mounted Rifles at Willows, Victoria, B.C. In June 1915, the 2nd C.M.R. was shipped overseas, and Pearkes returned to England for the first time in nine years. After training in Shorncliffe, the regiment sailed for France in September 1915. Pearkes distinguished himself on active service. He won the Military Cross in 1916. He was wounded five times, took part in the Battle of the Somme, and received the Victoria Cross for heroic action at Passchendaele in 1917. In a ceremony presided over by King George VI, George Pearkes was the first called upon to be decorated. At the end of the war, Pearkes was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. In 1915, he enlisted in the 2nd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles; transferring in September 1916 to the 5th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles. He joined the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles By 1917 he was a major. He was awarded the Military Cross, Distinguished Service Order, and French Croix de Guerre during the war. During the Battle of Passchendaele his gallantry as detailed in the following citation won him the Victoria Cross. MEDALS
Victoria Cross : Companion, Order of Canada ( CC ) : Companion, Order of the Bath ( CB ): Distinguished Service Order ( DSO ): Military Cross ( MC ): Knight of Grace, Order of St John of Jerusalem ( KStJ ).
1914 - 15 Star: British War Medal (1914-20): Victory Medal (1914-19) + MiD Oakleaf: Defence Medal (1939-45): Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (1939-45): "Maple Leaf" clasp: War Medal (1939-45): King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935).
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King George VI Coronation Medal (1937): Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953): Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977): CITATION (London Gazette, no.30471, 11 January 1918) Major Pearkes
On 30/31 Oct 1917 near Passchendaele, Belgium,
"For most conspicuous bravery and skilful handling of the troops under his command during the capture and consolidation of considerably more than the objectives allotted to him, in an attack. Just prior to the advance Major Pearkes was wounded in the thigh. Regardless of his wound, he continued to lead his men with the utmost gallantry, despite many obstacles. At a particular stage of the attack his further advance was threatened by a strong point which was an objective of the battalion on his left, but which they had not succeeded in capturing. Quickly appreciating the situation, he captured and held this point, thus enabling his further advance to be successfully pushed forward. It was entirely due to his determination and fearless personality that he was able to maintain his objective with the small number of men at his command against repeated enemy counter-attacks, both his flanks being unprotected for a considerable depth meanwhile. His appreciation of the situation throughout and the reports rendered by him were invaluable to his Commanding Officer in making dispositions of troops to hold the position captured. He showed throughout a supreme contempt of danger and wonderful powers of control and leading� POST WAR In the summer of 1924, while on furlough in Victoria visiting his mother and sister, Pearkes met and fell in love with Constance Blytha Copeman. They became engaged and were married in August 1925. A daughter, Priscilla Edith ("Pep"), was born in 1928, followed by a son, John Andre, born in 1931. Sadly, Pep, while still in the hospital after her birth, suffered an infection which led to a succession of illnesses, and she died while still a young child. WORLD WAR 2 His later career included the following positions: He rose to the rank of Major General after the war, and was made commander of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division in Britain at the start of World War II in 1940 The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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He returned to Canada to take over as GOC-in-C Pacific Command, Canada 1942--45 He was made a Commander of the Order of the Bath and received the United States Order of Merit. Pearkes was elected to Parliament and became Minister of National Defence, Canadian Canad Government 1957-60 Governor British Columbia 1960 1960-68 He was appointed Lieutenant-Governor Overseas Vice-Chairman Chairman VC & GC Association 1956 1956-6 BURIAL He is buried at Holy Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Sidney, Capital Regional District,, British Columbia, Canada
BERKHAMSTED SCHOOL MEMORIAL
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SMITH, Alfred Victor Smith VC Alfred Smith was born in Guildford, Surrey, in 1891. His parents were William Henry and Louisa Smith. His father was a police officer moved with his family several times in his youth, and was at one time a boy chorister at St Albans Cathedral. When he was 14 his father was appointed Chief Constable of Burnley, Lancashire, and the family moved to the town, where Alfred completed his education at Burnley Grammar School.
After leaving school aged 18 he was an Inspector of Blackpool Police and Fire-Brigade until the outbreak of war when he was commissioned as a 2nd/Lieutenant on the 10th October 1914 in the 2/5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, landing in Gallipoli on the 13th May 1915 where he was attached to the Royal Munster Fusiliers and then the King's own Scottish Borderers, fighting in the battles of May to June 1915. He rejoined the 42nd Division and then fell ill with dysentery sailing to Alexandria and returned as a bombing instructor, he was killed by lying on a grenade to save others On 23 December 1915 he was instructing men in grenade-throwing. What happened next is best described in the words of the citation to his posthumous VC, gazetted on 3 March 1916:
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When World War I broke out he immediately enlisted and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st/5th Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment, on 10 October 1914 CITATION “For For most conspicuous bravery. He was in the act of throwing a grenade when it slipped from his hand and fell into the bottom of the trench, close to several of our officers and men. He immediately shouted out a warning, and himself jumped clear and into safety; but seeing that the officers and men were unable to get into cover, and knowing well that the grenade was due to explode, he returned without any hesitation and flung himself down on it. He was killed instantly by the explosion. His magnificent act of self sacrifice undoubtedly saved many liv lives.” es.”
He is buried in 12 Tree Copse Cemetery on Gallipoli, although the precise location of his grave is not known MEDALS His Victoria Cross, and other medals and memorabilia, are on display in Towneley Hall Museum, Burnley. (1914-20): Victory Medal (1914--19): Croix de Guerre Victoria Cross: 1914 - 15 Star: British War Medal (1914 (France).
SecLieut. Alfred Victor Smith VC - 'D' Coy. 1st/5th Bn. East Lancashire Regt. Posthumous VC awarded For most conspicuous bravery at Helles, Gallipoli 22.12.1915. 'His magnificent act of self-sacrifice self undoubtedly saved many lives'. C C-LG LG 3.3.1916. KIA aged 24. Buried Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery although the precise location of his grave is not known. Special Memorial C. 358. He is named on commemorative plaques withi within n the former Burnley Grammar School, St Matthew's Church, Burnley, St Albans Cathedral and the current Blackpool Police headquarters.
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VEALE, Theodore William Henry VC He was born in Clarence Street Dartmouth on the 11th November 1893. He was the eldest son of Henry Veale a builder and Ada Veale a professional pianist. He was educated at Dartmouth Council Schools. WORLD WAR 1 He joined up on the 4th December in the 8th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. This was a Service Battalion which was formed at Exeter on 19 August 1914 as part of Kitchener’s Volunteer Army K1. The Battalion was attached as Divisional Troops to 14th (Light) Division. In May 1915 the battalion left the Division and landed at Le Havre 26 July 1915. 4 August 1915 the battalion came under orders of 20th Brigade, 7th Division. . The battalion became involved in the slaughter of the Battle of the Somme which started on the 1st of July 1916 when the Kitchener Volunteers were committed to battle. On July 20th 1916, Private Veale learned that an officer lay wounded out at the front, and without thought for his own life set out to save him, venturing repeatedly into no man’s land to try to bring him to safety. Private Veale found the casualty lying amidst growing corn within 50 yards of the enemy. He dragged the officer to a shell hole, returned for water and took it out to him. Finding that single-handed he could not carry the officer, he returned for assistance and took out two volunteers. One of the men was killed when carrying the injured man, and under heavy fire the other two men hid him in a shell hole and took cover. At dusk Private Veale went out again with volunteers to bring in the officer from under the noses of an enemy patrol. Private Veale procured a Lewis gun, and with the fire of the gun he covered the party, and the officer was finally carried to safety. Post the action on the Somme in 1916 the battalion moved with the Division to Italy in November 1917. In 1968 he was working as a commissionaire for the Daily Mail Ideal Home Exhibition but fell on hard times and was forced to sell his medals. His regiment stepped in and raised the £2100 asking price and donated them to the Regimental Museum at Dorchester.
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Subsequently he moved to Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire to spend his final time with his daughter. CITATION London Gazette, 9 September 1916. The Somme, France, 20 July 1916, Private Theodore William Henry Veale, 8th Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment. For most conspicuous bravery (East of Highwood, France). “Hearing that a wounded officer was lying out in front, Private Veale went out in search, and found him lying amidst growing corn within fifty yards of the enemy. He dragged the officer to a shell hole, returned for water and took it out. Finding he could not single-handed carry in the officer, he returned for assistance, and took out two volunteers. One of the party was killed when carrying the officer and heavy fire necessitated leaving the officer in a shell hole. At dusk Private Veale went out again with volunteers to bring in the officer. Whilst doing this an enemy patrol was observed approaching. Private Veale at once went back and procured a Lewis gun, and with the fire of the gun he covered the party, and the officer was finally carried to safety. The courage and determination displayed was of the highest order.� MEDALS Theodore Veale was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 5th February 1917 Medal entitlement of Corporal Theodore Veale VC - 8th Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment
Victoria Cross: 1914-15 Star: British War Medal (1914-20): Victory Medal (1914-19) + MiD Oakleaf: 1939-45 Star: Defence Medal (1939-45): War Medal (1939-45): King George VI Coronation Medal (1937): Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953): Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
COMMEMORATION Theodore Veale died on 6th November 1980, aged 89, at his daughter's home in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. He was cremated at Enfield Crematorium, Middlesex, and his ashes scattered in the area.
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A memorial plaque to Veale was unveiled in the town by his daughter, Theodora Grindell, on 10th November 2002 MEMORIAL PLAQUE ERECTED IN DARTMOUTH
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WARNER, Edward VC Edward was born on the 18 November 1883, at 36 Cannon Street, St Albans in Hertfordshire. Edward was the only son of Mark and Charlotte Warner. Mark was a Platelayer Foreman on the Railways, who was born in Wheathampstead around 1832 and his mother Charlotte (nee Barber) was from London, being born circa 1841. On leaving school he took a job in 1901 making straw boaters when he was 17. Late in 1903 he enlisted into the Bedfordshire Regiment as Private 7602. He served overseas in India until 1908. Edward returned to England when the battalion finished its tour of foreign service that year. His term in the regulars completed he became a Reservist and spent time employed by the Deep Well Boring Works, for the St. Albans council and the Post Office Telephones Dept. WORLD WAR 1 Private Warner joined the 1st Battalion in Ireland as it organised itself ready for war service, and landed in France with the battalion who were amongst the first wave of British troops to arrive on the Western Front on the 16th August 1914. He fought with them at the Battles of Mons, Le Cateau, the Marne, the Aisne, at Givenchy and Ypres before winter set in. After their first winter in the shallow, temporary trenches the battalion were stationed at the tactically critical mound of mining slag called Hill 60 in April when it was wrestled from the Germans' grasp. From this height there was a commanding view of the surrounding area hence German's made determined efforts to re-take the position that commanded a view onto Ypres itself and, within days of history's first ever gas attack. Edward and his comrades had taken over the firing trenches on the 25th April 1915, to the left of Hill 60. On the 6th day of them being there they were extremely tired, having held the position for almost a week with very little sleep or rest. Early on the morning of the 1st May, the Germans suddenly attacked with gas shells and a concentrated artillery bombardment. The battalion were adept to sheltering from the German shells by then but could do nothing about the Gas and were forced back. Although some of the German soldiers attacked, most of them could not as the gas blew back onto their own positions, stopping them from leaving their trenches. The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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A trench remaining at Hill 60 between the wars.
The view towards Ypres from Hill 60.
The Bedfords in Trench 46 were driven out, leaving the position completely undefended. However, it would appear that Edward was not happy about events and jumped into the empty trench by himself, keeping the Germans that were attacking from entering and taking control of the trench. Despite the psychological effects of the gas, exhaustion and repeated attempts by the enemy to gain a footing in his small section of the battlefield, the completely isolated Private Warner simply kept on fighting. When he had the chance, he ran back to the Battalion and gathered some men to go back with him to carry on defending the trench. He was eventually overcome by the effects of the gas that he had inhaled and he had to be carried back to the First Aid post for treatment.
RESULTS OF GERMAN GAS ATTACK Unfortunately Edward died the following day, suffering from the dreadful effects of the gas Edward's final resting place was lost in the fighting that raged across the ground for a further three years and he has no known grave. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium and is also listed on the St. Albans War memorial in Hertfordshire. CITATION The London Gazette (edition dated 29 June 1915) Issue No. 29210, dated 29th June, 1915. It reads: "For most conspicuous bravery near ' Hill 60 ' on 1st May, 1915. After Trench 46 had been vacated by our troops, consequent on a gas attack, Private Warner entered it single-handed in order to prevent The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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the enemy taking possession. Reinforcements were sent to Private Warner, but could not reach him owing to the gas. He then came back and brought up more men, by which time he was completely exhausted, but the trench was held until the enemy's attack ceased. This very gallant soldier died shortly afterwards from the effects of gas poisoning." MEDALS
Edward's Victoria Cross is displayed at the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regimental museum, Wardown Park, Luton, along with his 1914 Star, Victory and British War Medals. His Victoria Cross was gazetted on 29June 1915 and was presented to his mother by King George V at Buckingham Palaceon16 November 1916 COMMEMORATION Even though Edward had no known grave he is commemorated at the Menin Gate. He is not forgotten
Marching through the Menin Gate is the Oxfordshire (Rifles) Battalion ACF Tour of France & Belgium 2012 supported by the Robin Hood Rifles, Corp of Drums, of the Nottinghamshire ACF
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Edward Warner on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing
Saint Alban’s War Memorial
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YOUNG, Frank Edward VC Frank Young was born on the 2nd October 1895, at Cherat in the North West Province, India. As his father, also called Frank Young, was a regular soldier, it is likely he was serving in the 1st Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment who were stationed there at the time. When Frank's schooling in England finished, he joined the part time Territorial Force's Hertfordshire Regiment as a Boy Bugler on the 15th November 1909, aged 14. He served in the Hitchin Company which would later become D Company or No.4 Company once they adopted the Guards' Company structure. WORLD WAR 1 His father attested into the Hertfordshire Regiment when war broke out and was Company Sergeant Major 3292 Frank Young of the Hertfordshire Regiment by the time the battalion were mobilised to the Western Front in November 1914. The 19 year old Private Frank Young volunteered for service abroad but a physical disability stopped him from going to France in the autumn of 1914. However, his determination led to him going through an operation to overcome the problem and was appointed to the recently raised 2nd/1st Battalion of the Regiment to re-train and get fit enough for active service again. Frank went to France in a reinforcement draft, landing on French shores on the 21st January 1915 and soon became a Regimental Scout. Within months he was a Sergeant and had gained a reputation as a solid leader, a reliable scout and a good bomber. The Royston Crowe (dated 26th March 1915) mentioned how effective at patrolling his father RSM Young was, describing how the party he was in got to within yards of the German lines and managed to gleam a lot of information from listening in on their chatting. In the 27th August 1915 edition his father, Regimental Sergeant Major Young, was mentioned during an interview with Distinguished Conduct Medal winner Sergeant Major George Raven, who could not praise him enough and said "it is a pleasure for anyone to serve under such a fine soldier as he is". Comments made make it clear that RSM Young was a man to lead from the front and he frequently got 'in the thick of things'. The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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Father and son were both involved in the Battle of Festubert in May as well as the Battle of Loos in September, with Frank Young senior earned a mention in despatches for bravery at Loos. Frank received a month's leave early in 1916, as was the custom once a soldier completed his contractual term of military service. Having earned a reputation as a bomber, he was sent to serve as a Bombing Instructor at the Rouen Central Bombing School but an accident returned him home early in the summer of 1916. After three months in the Cardiff Military Hospital, he was posted to the 3rd/1st Battalion to retrain, who were stationed at Halton Camp near Tring at the time. Some months later he was commissioned as an officer, which was gazetted on the 26th April 1917. In the spring of 1918 Second Lieutenant Young was posted into the 3rd/5th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment, who were stationed at Crowborough in Sussex. It appears he was fascinated by the Royal Flying Corps to such a degree that he took six weeks ground training at Reading and moved to Sleaford for practical training. However, a flying accident left him badly shaken and as a result he returned to the Bedfords. He paid a last visit to his mother in Hitchin in September 1918 before going to the front again, having been posted back to the 1st/1st Hertfordshires as a replacement for the losses during the Battles of Albert and Bapaume in August and September. He rejoined the Hertfordshires on the 12th September, just as they were engaged in the Battle of Havrincourt during the Battles of the Hindenburg Line. Frank was put in command of No.4 Company (his old Hitchin Company) who were in the line south east of Havrincourt village, near a copse called Triangle Wood. His last communication home was on a standard field postcard dated 17th September, the day before an unexpected German counter attack hit their lines. CITATION The London Gazette" No. 31067, dated 13th December 1918): "For most conspicuous bravery, determination and exceptional devotion to duty on 18th September, 1918, south-east of Havrincourt, when during an enemy counter-attack and throughout an extremely intense enemy barrage he visited all posts, warned the garrisons and encouraged the men. In the early stages of the attack he rescued two of his men who had been captured and bombed and silenced an enemy machine gun. Although surrounded by the enemy, 2nd Lt. Young fought his way back to the main barricade and drove out a party of the enemy who were assembling there. By his further exertions the battalion was able to maintain a line of great tactical value, the loss of which would have meant serious delay to future operations. Throughout four hours of intense hand-to-hand fighting 2nd Lt. Young displayed the utmost valour and devotion to duty, and set an example to which the company gallantly responded. He was last seen fighting hand to hand against a considerable number of the enemy." HIS DEATH Second Lieutenant Young was not seen again and he was listed as missing in action.
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However, on the 27th September a section from the 1st/5th Manchester's found his body on the edge of Havrincourt Wood. Given how heavily he had been engaged in the fighting, with much of it being hand to hand, it seems ironic that he had been killed by a shrapnel wound to his head. The men buried the body where they found it and marked it with a rough cross, as was the custom with battlefield burials. Some months later his grave was seen by Second Lieutenant Males from Stevenage who arranged to move the body to a more fitting resting place, amongst one of the growing official British Cemeteries. MEDALS
Victoria Cross: 1914-15 Star: British War Medal (1914-20): Victory Medal (1914-19): Frank was the son of Frank and Sarah Ellen Young, of 46, Wood Avenue, Folkestone in Kent, which would have been their temporary address whilst his father was at No.3 Rest Camp in Folkestone early in 1919. In 1919 His father's medals were sent to Pirton Cottage, Pirton, near Hitchin, Hertfordshire and Frank's were sent to his mother at Verulam Rd, Hitchin, which was where they appear to have moved to after Folkestone. According to the British Legion, "his Victoria Cross remained with the family until 1959 when it was bequeathed to the Hertfordshire Regiment, at which time it was presented to the successors to the Regiment at Colchester and held with the Regiment Battle Honours. Later the Regiment lodged it for safekeeping with Luton Museum, which holds many exhibits relating to the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Regiments." COMMEMORATION Frank lies in the Hermies Hill British Cemetery, France 4 km south of the N30 road between Bapaume and Cambrai. He is also remembered on the Hitchin War Memorial in St Mary's Churchyard, Hitchin in Hertfordshire
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Pas-de-Calais Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Calais, France Hermies Hill British Cemetery Departement du Pas Departement du Pas-de-Calais Calais Nord Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Calais, France Plot: III.B.5.Plot: III.B.5.
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THE HAILEYBURY MEMORIALS
The War Memorial Cross was unveiled by General Sir Alexander Godley, KCB, KCMG and dedicated by the Bishop of Southwell on 7th July 1923
Just names on the cloister wall, Young men from long ago. These pages are dedicated To those 740 Old Boys, who died iin n that Great War to end all war.
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COFFIN, Clifford VC, CB, DSO & Bar He was born on 10 February 1870 at Blackheath, the son of Lieutenant General Sir Isaac Campbell Coffin KCSI. He was educated at Haileybury College and was in Lawrence House between 1884.1 -1886.2. He then attended the Royal Military College at Woolwich. In 1894 he married Helen Douglas Jackson (1869 about 1949) and they had 1 son Godfrey (1898 - ) He joined the Royal Engineers in 1888. BOER WAR Served in South Africa 1899 -1902, Mentioned in Dispatches. Queen's Medal with 4 clasps, King's Medal with 2 clasps. WORLD WAR 1 He was promoted Lieutenant Colonel in 1915. Subsequently promoted Brigadier General with the 36th (Ulster) Division; VC, CB, DSO & bar, Mentioned in Dispatches. Major General Clifford Coffin, Corps of Royal Engineers, earned his Victoria Cross whilst commanding the 25th Infantry Brigade at Westhoek, Belgium, whilst holding the rank of Temporary Brigadier General in July 1917. CITATIONS For the award of the Victoria Cross:Major General Clifford Coffin, Corps of Royal Engineers, earned his Victoria Cross whilst commanding the 25th Infantry Brigade at Westhoek, Belgium, whilst holding the rank of Temporary Brigadier General in July 1917. London Gazette, 14 September 1917 For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty (Westhoek, Flanders). “When his command was held up in attack owing to heavy machine gun and rifle fire from front and right flank, and was establishing itself in a forward shell hole line, he went forward and made an inspection of his front posts. Though under the heaviest fire from both machine guns and rifles, and The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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in full view of the enemy, he showed an utter disregard of personal danger, walking quietly from shell hole to shell hole, giving advice generally, and cheering the men by his presence. His very gallant conduct had the greatest effect on all ranks, and it was largely owing to his personal courage and example that the shell hole line was held in spite of the very heaviest fire. Throughout the day his calm courage and cheerfulness exercised the greatest influence over all with whom he came in contact, and it is generally agreed that Brigadier-General Coffin’s splendid example saved the situation, and had it not been for his action the line would certainly have been driven back.” DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER London Gazette, 1 January 1917 Created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), Lieutenant-Colonel Clifford Coffin, Corps of Royal Engineers. “For distinguished service in the field.” London Gazette, 26 July 1918 For the award of a Bar to the Companion of the Distinguished Service Order ( DSO ), LieutenantColonel and Brevet Colonel (Temporary Brigadier-General ) Clifford Coffin VC DSO, Corps of Royal Engineers “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a long period of active operations, when he handled his brigade with great skill, especially when covering the withdrawal of the remainder of the Division. On one occasion he commanded for a time the infantry of the Division with marked success, and his personal courage and example at all times inspired all ranks.” MEDALS Medal entitlement of Major General Clifford Coffin, Corps of Royal Engineers
Victoria Cross : Companion, Order of the Bath ( CB ): Distinguished Service Order (DSO) & Bar:: Queens South Africa Medal (1899-1902) with 4 clasps for the "Relief of Kimberley" - "Paardeberg" "Dreifontein" - "Transvaal": Kings South Africa Medal (1901-1902) with 2 clasps for "South Africa 1901" - "South Africa 1902": 1914-15 Star: British War Medal ( 914-20): Victory Medal ( 1914-19 ) +
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MiD Oakleaf: King George VI Coronation Medal (1937): Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953): Knight, Legion of Honour (France): Croix de Guerre ( France): Order of the Crown of Belgium: Order
of St. Stanislaus Clifford Coffin was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 2nd January 1918. POST WAR .ADC to HM King George V from 1920 -24. Died 4th February 1959
THE GRAVE OF MAJOR GENERAL CLIFFORD COFFIN, CORPS OF ROYAL ENGINEERS IN HOLY TRINITY CHURCHYARD, COLEMAN'S HATCH, EAST SUSSEX.
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COMMEMORATIVE MURAL AT LEWISHAM SHOPPING CENTRE On Speech Day 1957 the Bishop of Saint Albans dedicated commemorative panels in the library at Haileybury to the sixteen former pupils who earned the Victoria Cross and the two recipients of the George Cross.
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FRISBY, Cyril Hubert VC Cyril was born 17th September 1885. He was the son of H Frisby, Sussex. He attended Haileybury College and was a member of Hailey House between 1899.2 and 1903.2. He was in the 1st XV at rugby in 1902, the cricket X1 in 1903 and the Fives V[. He played rugby for Surrey in 1906. He enlisted Hampshire Regiment, Commissioned Coldstream Guards 1917. France 1917 - 18, Mentioned in Dispatches. Captain 1918 VC at Canal du Nord. Died 10th September 1918
CITATION Cyril Hubert Frisby, Lieutenant (Acting Captain), Coldstream Guards (Special Reserve), attached 1st Battalion. “For conspicuous bravery, leadership and devotion to duty in action on 27th September 1918, across the Canal du Nord, near Grancourt when in command of a company detailed to capture the canal crossing on the Demicourt-Grancourt Road. On reaching the canal, the leading platoon came under annihilating machine-gun fire from a strong machine gun post under the old iron bridge on the far side of the canal, and was unable to advance, despite reinforcing waves. Captain Frisby realised at once that unless this post was captured the whole advance in this area would fail. Calling for volunteers to follow him, he dashed forward, and with three other ranks he climbed down into the canal under an intense point-blank machine gun fire, and succeeded in capturing the post with two machine guns and twelve men. By his personal valour and initiative he restored the situation and enabled the attacking companies to continue the advance. Having reached and consolidated his objective, he gave timely support to the company on his right, which had lost all of its officers and The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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sergeants, organised its defence and beat off a heavy hostile counter-attack. He was wounded in the leg by a bayonet in the attack on the machine gun post, but remained on duty throughout, thereby setting a splendid example to all ranks. “
Picture of Canal du Nord taken on the 27th September 1918. (C) IWM
MEDALS
Victoria Cross: British War Medal (1914-20): Victory Medal (1914-19) + MiD Oakleaf: Defence Medal (1939-45): King George VI Coronation Medal (1937): Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953) His medals are held at The Guards Regimental Headquarters, Coldstream Guards, Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London, SW1E 6HQ POST WAR After the war he spent much of his time tuna fishing. He has been described as Britain's most famous tuna fisherman. He was a partner in Frisby Brothers on the Stock Exchange. COMMEMORATED He died 10th September 1961 at Guilford in Surrey
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His grave is at Brookwood Cemetery On Speech Day 1957 the Bishop of Saint Albans dedicated commemorative panels in the library at Haileybury to the sixteen former pupils who earned the Victoria Cross and the two recipients of the George Cross.
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HALLOWES, Rupert Price VC, MC 2nd Lieutenant Rupert Price Hallowes VC MC was the son of Frederick and Mary Hallowes, of Dan-y-Ffynnon, Port Talbot, South Wales. He was born there on the 6th May 1881 He attended Haileybury College and was a boarder in Le Bas House between 1894.2 -1897.2. Pre-war he later worked for Harold Flower of Gracechurch Street in the City of London. In 1900 Hallowes joined the 20th Middlesex (Artists) Volunteer Rifle Corps. He was commissioned in this unit, re-named the 28th (County of London) Battalion “The London Regiment (Artists Rifles)� in 1908, on 26 October 1909. Hallowes resigned his commission in April the following year when he moved to Wales to work for Robert Byass and Co. He was appointed assistant manager of the Mansel Tinplate Works in Aberavon, Port Talbot, where his elder brother William Brabazon Hallowes was the manager. A freemason and assistant secretary of the Boy Scouts Association in Port Talbot, Hallowes lived with his mother in the Dan-y-Ffynnon area of the town. WORLD WAR 1 He re-joined the Artists Rifles in August 1914, quickly being promoted to corporal, lance sergeant and sergeant by the end of September. Hallowes arrived in France on 29 December 1914, and in February 1915 he reverted to the rank of private at his own request. This was probably so that he could be commissioned as the Army was then selecting suitable candidates from the Artists Rifles to replace officer losses in other units. Meanwhile the 4th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment landed 14 August 1914 at Boulogne as part of the 3rd Division. 14 November 1915 : transferred to 63rd Brigade in 21st Division. Second Lieutenant Rupert Price Hallowes MC, showed conspicuous bravery at Hooge (25th Sept until 1st Oct 1915) dragging boxes of Mills grenades to his trench, under murderous shell fire, to prevent his men from being overrun and killed. Though mortally wounded by shrapnel, he continued to supply and encourage his men, inspiring them to defend their trench to prevent the enemy launching a bayonet charge
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CERTIFICATE FOR MENTION IN DESPATCHES
CITATION for Military Cross
'The London Gazette' of 6 September 1915 described how:-
'During an enemy attack down a communications trench there was a shortage of bombs. He climbed out of the trench exposing himself to fire at the enemy and hitting several of them. He also assisted in constructing a block, dug out a communications trench under heavy shell fire and rebuilt a parapet that had been blown in. Throughout the night he assisted in keeping touch and supplying bombs'. CITATION for Victoria Cross
“The London Gazette No. 29371, 16 November 1915:-
He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions between 25 and 30 September 1915 at Hooge, Belgium - “for most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the fighting at Hooge between 25th September and 1st October, 1915. Second Lieutenant Hallowes displayed throughout these days the greatest bravery and untiring energy, and set a magnificent example to his men during four heavy and prolonged bombardments. On more than one occasion he climbed up on the parapet, utterly regardless of danger, in order to put fresh heart into his men. He made daring reconnaissance of the German positions in our lines. When the supply of bombs was running short he went back under very heavy shell fire and brought up a fresh supply. Even after he was mortally wounded he continued to cheer those around him and to inspire them with fresh courage. —",
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MEDALS
Victoria Cross: Military Cross:1914 Cross:1914-1915 Star: British War Medal (1914-20): (1914 Victory Medal ( 1914-19):
Victoria Cross: Military Cross:1914 Cross:1914-1915 Star: British War Medal (1914-20): 20): Victory Medal ( 914-19): 914 COMMEMORATION Rupert Hallowes is also commemorated on the family grave in plot 84 at Brookwood Cemetery. Rupert Hallowes was a sidesman, Secretary of the Parish's Men's Society and Scoutmaster in Port Talbot. He is the only person from Port Talbot to be awarded the VC. In honour of his memory two Clayton and Bell stained glass windows were commis commissioned sioned depicting the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and situated in the Lady Chapel of St Theodore's Church, Port Talbot. BEDFORD HOUSE CEMETERY WW.I. Memorials taken from the old Port Talbot General Hospital, now displayed in the atrium of the new Port Talbot Hospital on Baglan Moors. The X-Ray Ray machine was donated by the local Boy Scout Association as a Memorial to 2nd Lt, Rupert Price Hallowes, VC, MC. of Port Talbot, who had been their District Secretary. On Speech Day 1957 the Bishop of Saint Albans dedicated commemorative panels in the library at Haileybury to the sixteen former pupils who earned the Victoria Cross and the two recipients of the George Cross.
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ROBERTSON, Clement VC Captain Clement Robertson VC was born at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa on the 15th November
1889. He was the son of Major John A. Robertson and Mrs Frances O C Robertson from Delgany in County Wicklow, Ireland. His father was in the Royal Artillery. At the time of his birth his family were on overseas posting Following his time at Haileybury College in Colvin House between 1904.2 -1906.1 he went on to Trinity College Dublin Engineering BA 1909.
Picture on left displayed with the kind permission of the family Captain Queen's Royal Regiment attached Tank Corps VC 1917. He was killed in action on 4th October 1917 at Zonnebeke, Belgium. Captain Robertson was 28 years old when he died.
On 4th October 1917 he was involved in the British attack by 21st Division between Polygon Wood and the Menin Road. Four tanks were allotted to the 21st Division. Fire from German pillboxes caused heavy casualties to the British infantrymen as they advanced through the terrible muddy conditions of what had been the stream of the Polygonbeek. With the support of one of the tanks the The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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German pillboxes were captured and the higher ground overlooking the Reutel valley was reached by the supporting British infantry battalions CITATION
Captain Clement Robertson was awarded the Victoria Cross for his valour in leading his tanks into the attack whilst under heavy fire from the enemy. The citation for his Victoria Cross reads: “For most conspicuous bravery in leading his Tanks in attack under heavy shell, machine-gun and rifle fire. Capt. Robertson, knowing the risk of the Tanks missing the way, continued to lead them on foot, guiding them carefully and patiently towards their objective although he must have known that his action would almost inevitably cost him his life. This gallant officer was killed after his objective had been reached, but his skilful leading had already ensured successful action. His utter disregard of danger and devotion to duty afford an example of outstanding valour.� MEDALS Captain Clement ROBERTSON Queen's Royal Regiment ( West Surrey ) attached 'A' Battalion, Tank Corps
Victoria Cross: British War Medal (1914-20):Victory Medal ( 1914-19 ) COMMEMORATION His mother received the Victoria Cross from Brigadier General C Williams CB, Commanding Dublin District at the Royal Barracks, Dublin, on 27th March 1918
The Tank Memorial Ypres Salient
Oxford Road Cemetery
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On Speech Day 1957 the Bishop of Saint Albans dedicated commemorative panels in the library at Haileybury to the sixteen former pupils who earned the Vict Victoria oria Cross and the two recipients of the George Cross. Editors note:= His date of birth is from references (1) (2) elsewhere on the internet a different date is given. The date of 15th December 1990 is probably the Christening date
.
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WILLIS, Richard Raymond VC Richard Raymond Willis, Captain, 1st Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers, British Army Campaign First World War. He was born in Woking in 1876. He was educated at Harrow and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned in 1897, joined the 2nd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers in India and was posted with them to the Sudan for the Mahdist War. Battle of Omdurman - Kitchener's Victory: Concerned about Kitchener's advance, the leader of the Mahdist army, Abdullah al-Taashi sent 14,000 men to attack the British near Atara. On April 7, 1898, they were badly defeated and suffered 3,000 dead. As Kitchener prepared for the push to Khartoum, Abdullah raised a force of 52,000 to block the AngloEgyptian advance. Armed with a mix of spears and antique firearms they mustered near the Mahdist capital of Omdurman. On September 1, British gunboats appeared in the river off Omdurman and shelled the city. This was followed by the arrival of Kitchener's army in the nearby village of Egeiga. Forming a perimeter around the village, with the river at their back, Kitchener's men waited for the arrival of the Mahdist army. Around dawn on September 2, Abdullah attacked the AngloEgyptian position with 15,000 men while a second Mahdist force continued moving north. Equipped with the latest European rifles, Maxim machine guns, and artillery, Kitchener's men mowed down the attacking Mahdist dervishes (infantry). With the attack defeated, the 21st Lancers were ordered to reconnoitre in force towards Omdurman. Moving out, they met a group of 700 Hadenoa tribesmen. The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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Switching to the attack, they were soon confronted by 2,500 dervishes who had been hiding in a dry streambed. Charging through the enemy, they fought a bitter battle before rejoining the main army. Around 9:15, believing the battle won, Kitchener ordered his men to begin advancing on Omdurman. This movement exposed his right flank to a Mahdist force that was lurking to west. Shortly after beginning their march, three Sudanese and one Egyptian battalion came under fire from this force. Compounding the situation was the arrival of 20,000 men under Osman Shiekh El Din which had moved north earlier in the battle. Shiekh El Din's men soon began attacking the Sudanese brigade of Colonel Hector MacDonald. While the threatened units made a stand and poured disciplined fire into the approaching enemy, Kitchener began wheeling the rest of the army around to join the fight. As at Egeiga, modern weaponry triumphed and the dervishes were shot down in alarming numbers. By 11:30, Abdullah gave up the battle as lost and fled the field. With the Mahdist army destroyed, the march to Omdurman and Khartoum was resumed. WORLD WAR 1 August 1914: in Karachi. Returned to England, landing 2 January 1915 and moved to Nuneaton where the battalion joined the 29th Division, 86th Brigade. The 29th Division embarked at Avonmouth on 16-22 March 1915 and went via Malta to Alexandria. On 7 April the first units to have arrived at Egypt began to re-embark for the move to Mudros, the deep water harbour at the island of Imbros that was going to be used as a forward base for operations at Gallipoli. The Division landed at Cape Helles on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 GALLIPOLI 1915 On 25 April 1915 west of Cape Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey, three companies and the Headquarters of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, when landing on W Beach, were met by a very deadly fire from hidden machine-guns which caused a large number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up and cut the wire entanglements The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained. Captain Richard Willis, who led C Company during the attack, was one of several survivors to record the events of the day: “Not a sign of life was to be seen on the peninsula in front of us. It might have been a deserted land we were nearing in our little boats. Then crack!… The signal for the massacre had been given; rapid fire, machine-guns and deadly accurate sniping opened from the cliffs above, and soon the casualties included the rest of the crew and many men. “The timing of the ambush was perfect; we were completely exposed and helpless in our slowmoving boats, just target practice for the concealed Turks, and within a few minutes only half of the 30 men in my boat were left alive. We were now 100 yards from the shore, and I gave the order ‘overboard’. We scrambled out into some four feet of water and some of the boats with their cargo of dead and wounded floated away on the currents still under fire from the snipers. With this unpromising start the advance began. Many were hit in the sea, and no response was possible, for the enemy was in trenches well above our heads. “We toiled through the water towards the sandy beach, but here another trap was awaiting us, for the Turks had cunningly concealed a trip wire just below the surface of the water and on the beach itself were a number of land mines, and a deep belt of rusty wire extended across the landing place. Machine-guns, hidden in caves at the end of the amphitheatre of cliffs, enfiladed this. “Our wretched men were ordered to wait behind this wire for the wire-cutters to cut a pathway through. They were shot in helpless batches while they waited, and could not even use their rifles in retaliation since the sand and the sea had clogged their action. One Turkish sniper in particular took a heavy toll at very close range until I forced open the bolt of a rifle with the heel of my boot and closed his career with the first shot, but the heap of empty cartridges round him testified to the damage he had done. Safety lay in movement, and isolated parties scrambled through the wire to cover. Among them was Sergeant Richards with a leg horribly twisted, but he managed somehow to get through.” On the nights 7-8 January 1916, the Division was evacuated from Gallipoli and all units returned to Egypt. Orders were received there on 25 February for a move to France. Embarking in March it arrived at Marseilles and moved to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy between 15 and 29 March. The Division remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war. CITATION For the award of the Victoria Cross [ London Gazette, 24 August 1915 ], W Beach, Cape Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey, 25 April 1915, Captain ( later Major ) Richard Raymond Willis, Sergeant Alfred Joseph Richards, Private William Keneally, 1st Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers. On the 25th April 1915, three Companies and the Headquarters of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, in effecting a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula to the West of Cape Helles, were met by a very deadly fire from hidden machine guns which caused a great number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up to and cut the wire entanglements, notwithstanding the terrific fire from the The Valiant Men of Hertfordshire
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enemy, and, after overcoming extreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained. Amongst the many very gallant Officers and men engaged in this most hazardous undertaking, Captain Willis, Serjeant Richards and Private Keneally have been selected by their comrades as having performed the most signal acts of bravery and devotion to duty. MEDALS Richard Willis was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 22nd September 1915
Victoria Cross, Queen's Sudan Medal (1896-98), 14-15 Star, BWM, VM + MID(missing in the photo), Delhi Dunbar Medal (1911), KG VI 1937 Coronation Medal, QE II 1953 Coronation Medal, Khedives Sudan Medal (1896-1908) + clasp: "Khartoum" His VC was purchased privately in 2010 for the Lord Ashcroft collection. Current location of VC is on Display in rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum POST WAR He served on the Staff at Haileybury College during the year 1921. Subsequently he taught Military History at a school specializing in preparing students for the Army Entrance examinations – Carlisle and Gregson. COMMEMORATED Richard Willis died on the 9th February 1966 at the Faithful House Nursing Home, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and was cremated at the Cheltenham Crematorium and his ashes scattered in the Garden of Remembrance. Cheltenham Borough Cemetery Crematorium Chapel Commemorative plaques in the chapel cloisters
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He was commemorated on a cigarette card and a postage stamp
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SOURCES 1. “THE V.C. AND D.S.O. BOOK: THE VICTORIA CROSS 1856 -1920” Naval & Military Press 2. Haileybury College Register and Archives 3. Haileybury 1806 – 1987 by Imogen Thomas 4. The London Gazette 5. Imperial War Museum collection of pictures 6. Commonwealth War Graves Data Bank. 7. 1911 Census, 1901 census 8. The War Graves Photographic Project 9. The Victoria Cross Organization 10. Find a grave memorials 11. The Bedfordshire Regiment in the Great War Website. 12. “ For Most Conspicuous Bravery: A Biography of Major-General George R. Pearkes, V.C., Through Two World Wars” by Dr. Roy for the Social Sciences Research Centre 13. Battle of Omdurman - Kitchener's Victory by Kennedy Hickman 14. The Scouting Pages web site 15. Local Newspapers 16. The “HELL FIRE CORNER” website 17. The “Long Long Trail” website 18. The 13 volumes entitled the “Great War” publisher/ authors not given but believed possibly issued by the Daily Mail in the 1920s 19. ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE website 20. Library and Archives Canada under the reproduction reference number PA-002364 21. CHELTENHAM & GLOUCESTER BRANCH THE WESTERN FRONT ASSOCIATION news letter Number 15 December 2007
22. In a number of cases the pictures of medals are not the recipients but of replicas. PLEASE NOTE that we obtained special dispensation from a number of agencies including the CWGC and the War Graves photographic project regarding copyright on their material used in this book. The IWM have granted a non commercial licence for their material used in this book. This was granted in view of the nature of the book being commemorative rather than published for commercial reasons. (C) NOTE THEIR COPYRIGHT STILL REMAINS ON THIS MATERIAL USED ELSEWHERE.
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