VICTORIA CROSS - Key Persons
AARON, Arthur Louis (Reg No 1) Acting Flight Sergeant 218 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve London Gazetted on 5th November 1943. VC Medal's Custodian is the Leeds City Museum. Born on 5th March 1922 at Leeds, Yorkshire.. Died on 13th August 1943 at Bone, Algeria.. Memorials at Bone War Cemetery, Algeria and St Mary's Church, Bexwell, Norfolk. Digest of Citation reads: On 12 August 1943 during a raid on Turin, Italy, Flight Sergeant Aaron's bomber was attacked by a night fighter and was very badly damaged. The navigator was killed, other members of the crew were wounded, Flight Sergeant Aaron's jaw was broken and part of his face was torn away. He had also been hit in his lung and his right arm was useless. Despite his terrible injuries he managed to level the aircraft out at 3,000 feet and then the bomb-aimer took control until he rallied his failing strength enough to direct the difficult landing operation. He died nine hours after the aircraft touched down. Additional information: Flight Sergeant Aaron also held The Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM).
ABDUL HAFIZ (Reg. No. 2) Jemadar* 9th Jat Infantry, Indian Army. London Gazetted on 27th July 1944 Born on 1st July 1918 at Kalanaur Village in the Rohtak Diistrict, Punjab.. Died on 6th April 1944 at Waken Hill, near Imphal, Assam, India. Memorial on grave at Imphal Indian War Cemetery, Assam, India. .Digest of Citation reads: On 6 April 1944 north of Imphal, India, Jemadar Abdul Hafiz was ordered to attack, with his platoon, a prominent position held by the enemy, the only approach to which was across a bare slope and then up a very steep cliff. The Jemadar led the assault, killing several of the enemy himself and then pressed on regardless of machine-gun fire from another feature. He received two wounds, the second of which was fatal, but he had succeeded in routing an enemy vastly superior in numbers and had captured a most important position. *Lieutenant.
ABLETT, Alfred (Reg. No. 3) Private* 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. London Gazetted on 24th February 1857 VC's Custodian is the Guards Regimental Head-Quarters. Born on 3rd August 1830 at Weybread, Suffolk. Died on 12th March 1897 at Weybread, Suffolk. Memorial on grave at Weybread Churchyard, Suffolk. .Digest of Citation reads: On 2nd September 1855 during the siege of Sebastopol , in the Crimea, a burning shell fell into a trench containing two cases of ammunition. Private Ablett, realising the danger to which all in the trench were exposed, seized the shell in his hands and threw it over the parapet, where it immediately exploded on touching the ground, but not one man suffered any injuries. * Attained rank of Sergeant. Additional Information:. This gallant deed took place before the VC was inaugurate in 1856. He also held the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) Sergeant Ablett became an Inspector of Police at Millwall Docks, London.
ACKROYD Harold, (Reg. No. 4) Captain Royal Army Medical Corps, attached 6th Battn., Royal Berkshire Regiment* London Gazetted on 6th. September 1917 Born on 18th July 1877 at Southport, Lancashire. Died on 11th August 1917 at Glencorse Wood, Ypres, Belgium.(Killed in action.) Memorials at Birr Cross Roads, Belgium, The War Memorial at Royston, Hertfordshire, Guy's Hospital and the RAMC College, at Millbank, London. Digest of Citation reads: Between 31 July and 1 August 1917 at Ypres, Belgium, Captain Ackroyd worked continuously, utterly regardless of danger, tending the wounded and saving the lives of officers and men in the front line. In so doing he had to move across the open, under heavy machine-gun, rifle and shell fire. On one occasion he carried a wounded officer to a place of safety under heavy fire, and on another went some way in front of the advanced line bringing in a wounded man under continuous sniping. He was killed in action ten days later. * Princess Charlotte of Wales's. Additional information:. Captain Ackroyd also held the The Military Cross (MC).
ADAMS James William (Reg. No.6) The Reverend Bengal Ecclesiastical Department, Indian Army. London Gazetted on 26th August 1881 Born on 24th November 1839 Cork, Ireland. Died on 20th October 1903 at Ashwell, Rutland. Memorial at Stow Bardolph Church, Norfolk. Digest of Citation reads: On 11 December 1879 at Killa Kazi, (Afghan War), some men of the 9th Lancers had fallen, with their horses, into a wide, deep ditch and the enemy were close upon them. The Reverend J>W>Adams rushed into the water, dragged the horses off the men, upon whom they were lying, and extricated them. All this time he was under heavy fire and up to his waste in water. Some of the enemy were within a few yards of him and, having let his own horse go in order to render more effectual assistance, Mr Adams had to escape on foot. Additional information:. The Reverend Adams became Hon. Chaplain to Queen Victoria in 1900 and the Chaplain to King Edward VII in 1901 For the above action the Rev. Adams was recommended for the VC by Lord Roberts. The recommendation was considered impossible as the medal was for the Royal Navy and the Army only. (There was no Royal Air Force at this time.)However, in the London Gazette, dated 24th August 1881it was announced that "The Queen had been pleased by Royal Warrant to direct that the Victoria Cross should be conferred on the members of The Indian Ecclesiastical Establishments who might be qualified, etc., etc., etc., and accordingly to signify Her intention to confer this high distinction on the Rev. J. W. ADAMS, whose claim had been submitted for her approval, on account of conspicuous bravery in Afghanistan etc...." He was awarded the Victoria Cross and it was announced in the London Gazette dated, 26th August 1881. Apart from the VC he also held The Bronze Star (for the Kabul to Kandahar march), The Afghan Medal with four clasps, (Kandahur Kabul, Charasia and Pewar).
ADAMS James William (Reg. No.6) The Reverend Bengal Ecclesiastical Department, Indian Army. London Gazetted on 26th August 1881 Born on 24th November 1839 Cork, Ireland. Died on 20th October 1903 at Ashwell, Rutland. Memorial at Stow Bardolph Church, Norfolk. Digest of Citation reads: On 11 December 1879 at Killa Kazi, (Afghan War), some men of the 9th Lancers had fallen, with their horses, into a wide, deep ditch and the enemy were close upon them. The Reverend J>W>Adams rushed into the water, dragged the horses off the men, upon whom they were lying, and extricated them. All this time he was under heavy fire and up to his waste in water. Some of the enemy were within a few yards of him and, having let his own horse go in order to render more effectual assistance, Mr Adams had to escape on foot. Additional information:. The Reverend Adams became Hon. Chaplain to Queen Victoria in 1900 and the Chaplain to King Edward VII in 1901 For the above action the Rev. Adams was recommended for the VC by Lord Roberts. The recommendation was considered impossible as the medal was for the Royal Navy and the Army only. (There was no Royal Air Force at this time.)However, in the London Gazette, dated 24th August 1881it was announced that "The Queen had been pleased by Royal Warrant to direct that the Victoria Cross should be conferred on the members of The Indian Ecclesiastical Establishments who might be qualified, etc., etc., etc., and accordingly to signify Her intention to confer this high distinction on the Rev. J. W. ADAMS, whose claim had been submitted for her approval, on account of conspicuous bravery in Afghanistan etc...." He was awarded the Victoria Cross and it was announced in the London Gazette dated, 26th August 1881. Apart from the VC he also held The Bronze Star (for the Kabul to Kandahar march), The Afghan Medal with four clasps, (Kandahur Kabul, Charasia and Pewar).
ADAMS Robert Bellew (Later Sir Robert)(Reg No7) BT/Lieutenant Colonel Staff Corps and Corps of Guides, Indian Army. London Gazetted on 9th November 1897 Born on 26th July 1856 at Murree, Punjab Died on 13 February 1928.at Inverness, Scotland. Memorial noot known. His remains were cremated in Glasgow. Digest of Citation reads: On 17 August 1897 at Nawa Kili, Upper Swat, India, (Tirah Campaign) Lieutenant Colonel Adams, with two other officers, Lieut. Fincastle(Reg.No.401),Lieut. McLean (Reg. No.804) and five men of the Guides, went under a heavy and close fire, to the rescue of a lieutent of the Lancashire Fusiliers who was lying disabled by a bullet wound and surrounded by enemy swordsmen. While the wounded officer was being brought under cover he was unfortunately killed by a bullet. One of the officers of the rescue party was mortally wounded and Colonel Adams' horse and three others were shot. Additional information: Major General Sir Robert Adams was also a Knight Commander of the Bath (KCB). He also had the King Edward Coronation Medal.
ADDISON Henry (Reg No. 8) Private 43rd Regiment * London Gazetted on 2nd September 1859 VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Green Jackets Museum. Born in February 1821 at Bardwell, Suffolk. Died on 18th June 1887 at Bardwell, Suffolk. Memorial on grave at Bardwell Churchyard, Suffolk.. * The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Digest of Citation reads: On 2 January 1859 near Kurrereah, India, Private Addison defended Lieutenant Osborne, a Political agent, against a large force and saved his life when he had fallen on the ground wounded. The Private received two dangerous wounds and lost a leg in this gallant service.
ADDISON William Robert Fountains (Reg No.9) The Reverend T/Chaplain of the Forces, 4th Class, Army Chaplain's Dept. London Gazetted on 26th September 1916 Born on 18th September 1883 at Cranbrook, Kent. Died on 7th January 1962 at St.Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex.. Memorial on grave at Brookwood Cemetery, Woking, Surrey. Digest of Citation reads: On 9 April 1916 at Sanna-i-Yat, Mesopotamia, The Reverend William Anderson carried a wounded man to the cover of a trench and helped several others to the same cover after binding up their wounds under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. In addition to these unaided efforts, his splendid example and utter disregard of personal danger, encouraged the stretcher bearers to go forward under heavy fire and collect the wounded.. .Additional Information::Order of St. George (Russia); Senior Chaplain to the Forces, Borden 1934-38 and 1939-42; Deputy Assistant Chaplain General 1942.
ADLAM Tom Edwin (Reg No. 10) Second Lieutenant 7th Battn. The Bedfordshire Regiment. London Gazetted on 25 November 1916 V.C. Medal's Custodian is the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regimental Museum. Born on 21st October 1893 at Salisbury, Wiltshire. Died on 28th May 1975 at Hayling Island, Hampshire Memorial not known. Digest of Citation reads: On 27 September 1916 at Thiepval, France, a portion of a village which had defied capture had to be taken at all costs and Second lieutenant Adlam rushed from shell-hole to shell-hole under very heavy fire collecting men for a sudden rush. At this stage he was wounded in the leg, but in spite of his wound he led the rush, captured the position and killed the occupants. Throughout the day he continued to lead his men and on the following day, although wounded again he still led and encouraged them. His magnificent example and behaviour produced far-reaching results. Additional Information:Lieut. Colonel Adlam also held the Italian Silver Medal for Military Valour. He also served in the Second World War with the Royal Engineers (Movement Control Section.)
AGANSING RAI (Reg No. 11) Naik (later Honorary Lieutenant) 2nd Battn. 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army. London Gazetted on 5th October 1944. Born in 1920 at Aapswarah (Village), Okhaldunga District, Nepal. Died in 2000 at Katmandu, Nepal. Memorial not known. Digest of Citation reads: On 27 September 1944 at Bishenpur, Burma, Naik Agansing Rai led his section in an attack on one of two posts which had been taken by the enemy and were now threatening our communications. Under withering fire the naik and his party charged a machine-gun, he himself killing one of the crew. The first position having been taken, he then led a dash on a a machine-gun firing from the jungle, where he killed three of the crew, his men accounting for the rest. He subsequently tackled an isolated bunker single-handed, killing all four occupants The enemy were now so demoralised that they fled and the second post was recaptured. Additional information: Lieutenant Agansing Rai also held the Military Medal (M:M) Reported in the Daily Mirror (Cutting, no date.) "A Ghurka awarded the Victoria Cross for showing complete contempt for danger as he fought the Japanese in 1944 has died aged 81. Corporal Agansing Rai, who killed seven enemy soldiers during the battle in Burma, was one of 10 Ghurkas to win the honour in World War II. He died at home in Katmandu. The Mirror last year successfully campaigned for Ghurka troops pensions to be doubled.
AIKMAN Frederick Robertson. (Reg. No.13) Lieutenant(later Colonel) 4th Bengal Native Infantry London Gazetted on 3rd September 1858 Born on 6th February 1828 at Ross, Broomelton, Lanarkshire, Scotland Died on 5th October 1888 at Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Memorial on grave at Kensal Green Cemetery, London. Digest of Citation reads: On 1 March 1858 near Amethi, India, Lieutenant Aikman, commanding an advanced picket with 100 of his men, was informed of the proximity of a body of 500 rebel infantry and 200 horse and guns. The lieutenant attacked and utterly routed this large enemy force, cutting up more than 100 of them, capturing two guns and driving the survivors over the River Goomtee. This feat was carried out over broken ground and partly under flanking fire from an adjoining fort. Lieutenant Aikm himself recieved a severe sabre cut in the face. Additional Information: . Aikman was a Member of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-arms, 1865-1888
ALEXANDER, Ernest Wright (Reg. No. 16) Major (later Maj. General) 119th Battery Royal Field Artillery. London Gazetted on 18th February 1915. VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Artillery Museum. Born on 2nd October 1870 at Liverpool, Lancashire. Died on 25th August 1934 at Kingsbridge, Devon. Cremated at Putney Vale Cemetery. London. His Ashes are in the Family grave. Digest of Citation reads: On 24 August 1914 at Elouges, Belgium, when the flank guard was attacked by a German corps, Major Alexander handled his battery against overwhelming odds with such conspicuous success that all his guns were saved notwithstanding that they had to be withdrawn by hand by himself and volunteers led by a Captain of the 9th Lancers (see F.O. Grenfell Reg. No. 492). This enabled the retirement of the 5th Division to be carried out without serious loss. Subsequently, Major Alexander rescued a wounded man under heavy fire. Additional Information: He was also decorated with the Companion of (the Order of) the Bath. (CB), the Companion of St Michael and St George (CMG) and the Croix de Guerre (Belgium)
ALEXANDER John (Reg No.17) Private 90th Regiment (Cameronians [ Scottish Rifles]). London Gazetted on 24th February 1857 VC Medal's Custodian is the National War Museum of Scotland. Born on (Date unknown) at Mullijnger, West Meath, Ireland. Died on the 24th September 1857 at Lucknow, India.(killed in action) Memorial not known. Digest of Citation reads: On the 18 June 1855 at Sebastopol, Crimea, after the attack on the Redan, Private Alexander went out from the trenches under very heavy fire and brought in several wounded men. Also on 6 September when he was with a working party in the most advanced trench he went out under heavy fire and helped to bring in a captain who was severely wounded. Further information: Private Alexander never lived to receive his Victoria Cross he was killed during the relief of the Rendary at Lucknow on the 24th September 1857.
ALGIE, Wallace Lloyd (Reg. No.18) Lieutenant 20th Battalion 1st Central Ontario Regiment, The Canadian Expeditionary Force. London Gazetted on 21st January 1919. Born on 10th June 1891 at Alton, Ontario, Canada. Died on 11th October 1918 at Cambrai, France. (Killed in action). Memorial at Niagara Cemetery, Iwuy, France. Digest of Citation reads: On 11th October 1918 north east of Cambrai, France, Lieutenant Algie was with attacking troops which came under heavy enfilade machine-gun fire from a neighbouring village. Rushing forward with nine volunteers he shot the crew of an enemy machine-gun and then turned the gun on the enemy, enabling his party to reach the village. He rushed another machine-gun, killing the crew and capturing an officer and 10 men, thereby clearing the end of the village. He then went back for reinforcements but was killed while leading them forward.
ALI HAIDAR (Reg. No.19) Sepoy (later Havildar) 13th Frontier Force Rifles Indian Army London Gazetted on 3rd July 1945 Born on 21st August 1913 at Shahu Village, Kohat, M.W. Frontier, India. Digest of Citation reads: On 9 April 1945 near Fusignano, Italy, during the crossing of the Senio River, only Sepoy Ali Haidar and the two other men of his section managed to get across under heavy machine-gun fire. Then while the other two covered him, the sepoy attacked the nearest strong point and, in spite of being wounded, put it out of action. In attacking a second strong point he was again severely wounded but managed to crawl closer, throw a grenade and charge the post; two of the enemy were wounded, the remaining two surrendered. The rest of the company was then able to cross the river and establish a bridgehead.
ALLEN William Barnsley (Reg.No.20) Captain Royal Army Medical Corps attached to 246th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery . VC Medal's Custodian is Army Medical Services Museum, Aldershot. (Keogh Barracks), Hampshire. London Gazetted on 26th October1916 Born on: 8th June 1892 at Sheffield, Yorkshire. Died on 27th October 1933 at Bracklesham, Near Chichester, Sussex. Memorial on grave at Earnley Cemetery, Bracklesham Bay, Sussex. Digest of Citation reads: On 3 September 1916, near Mesnil, France, when gun detachments were unloading high explosive ammunition, the enemy suddenly began to shell the battery position. The first shell fell on one of the limbers, exploded the ammunition and caused several casualties. Captain Allen at once ran across under heavy shell fire and started attending to the wounded. He himself was hit four times by pieces of shell, but he went coolly on with his work until the last man had been attended to and removed. He then went to tend a wounded officer and only then reported his own wounds. Additional Information: Major Allen also had been awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) as well as the Military Cross (MC) and Bar. He died at the age of 41.
ALLEN, William Wilson. (Reg No 21.) (or ALLAN) Corporal, 2nd Battalion, The 24th Regiment. (Later South Wales Borderers) London Gazetted on 2nd May 1879 VC Medal's Custodian is the South Wales Borderers Museum, Brecon, Wales. Born around 1844 (Date not known) in Newcastle on Tyne.. Died on 12th March 1890 at Monmouth. Memorial on grave at Monmouth Cemetery. Digest of Citation reads: On 22nd and 23rd January 1879 at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, Corporal Allan and another man (See F. Hitch Reg. No.574) kept communication with the hospital open, despite being severely wounded. Their determined conduct enabled the patients to be withdrawn from the hospital, and when incapacitated by their wounds from fighting, they continued, as soon as their wounds were dressed, to serve out ammunition to their comrades during the night. Additional information: William Allan later became a Sergeant Musketry Instructor. His Victoria Cross and campaign medal were bought by a Mr Philip Wilkins on the 21st of June 1906..
ALLEN, William Wilson. (Reg No 21.) (or ALLAN) Corporal, 2nd Battalion, The 24th Regiment. (Later South Wales Borderers) London Gazetted on 2nd May 1879 VC Medal's Custodian is the South Wales Borderers Museum, Brecon, Wales. Born around 1844 (Date not known) in Newcastle on Tyne.. Died on 12th March 1890 at Monmouth. Memorial on grave at Monmouth Cemetery. Digest of Citation reads: On 22nd and 23rd January 1879 at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, Corporal Allan and another man (See F. Hitch Reg. No.574) kept communication with the hospital open, despite being severely wounded. Their determined conduct enabled the patients to be withdrawn from the hospital, and when incapacitated by their wounds from fighting, they continued, as soon as their wounds were dressed, to serve out ammunition to their comrades during the night. Additional information: William Allan later became a Sergeant Musketry Instructor. His Victoria Cross and campaign medal were bought by a Mr Philip Wilkins on the 21st of June 1906..
ALLMAND Michael (Reg.No.22) Act/Captain Indian Armoured Corps and 6th Gurkha Rifles Indian Army. London Gazetted on 26th October 1944. VC Medal's Custodians are the Royal Gurkha Museum, Winchester. Born on 22nd August 1923 at London, Died on 24th June 1944 at Pin Hmi, Burma (Killed in acton) Memorial on grave in Tuakkyan War Cemetery, Burma. Digest of Citation reads: On 11 June 1944 in Burma, Captain Allmand's platoon came under heavy fire when attacking the Pin Hmi Bridge, and on being halted by casualties, he charged on alone, killing three of the enemy. Inspired by his example his surviving men followed him and captured the position. Two days later, owing to heavy casualties among the officers, Captain Allmand took command of the company and successfully led his men to seize a ridge of high ground. Again on 23 June in the final assault on on the railway bridge at Mogaung, he went forward alone, but in charging an enemy machine-gun nest, was mortally wounded.
AMEY William, (Reg. No.23) Lance Corporal, 1/8th Battalion The Royal Warwickshire Regiment. London Gazetted on 31st January 1919. VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Warwickshire Regimental Museum. Born on 5th March 1881 at Duddeston, Birmingham. Died on 28th May 1940 at Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. Digest of Citation reads: On 4 November 1918 at Landrecies, France, when many hostile machine-gun nests were missed by the leading troops owing to a fog, Lance Corporal Amey led his section against a machine=gun nest under heavy fire and drove the garrison into a neighbouring farm, finally capturing 50 prisoners and several m,achine-guns. Later, single handed and under heavy fire he attacked a machine-gun post in a farmhouse, killed two of the garrison and drove the remainder into a cellar until assistance arrived. Subsequently he rushed a strongly-held post, capturing 20 more prisoners. Additional information:. He was also the recipient of the Military Medal.(MM).
Job Titles:
- Senior Medical Officer in Charge of the Khajeri Post
ANDREWS, Henry John, (Reg. No. 32) Temporary Captain Indian Medical Service London Gazetted on 9th September 1920. Born in 1871 at London. Died on 22nd October 1919 at Khajeri Post, Waziristan, India. Memorial at Delhi Memorial, India. Digest of Citation reads: On 22 October 1919 at Waziristan, North-West India, Captain Andrews, the senior medical officer in charge of the Khajeri Post, heard that a convoy had been attacked in the vicinity and that men had been wounded. He at once went out under heavy fire and established an Aid Post under condition which afforded some protection to the wounded but none to himself. He was subsequently compelled to move the Aid Post, but continued to attend the wounded. Finally when a van was available, he collected the wounded, under fire, and put them into it. He was killed whilst stepping into the van on the completion of his task. Additional information: He also held the MBE. He was an officer in the Salvation Army for over thirty years. The Salvation Army Commissioner, who was in charge in India when Captain Andrews arrived said that the Salvation Army owed him a debt of gratitude for the wonderful medical work that he had carried out on members of the Army's Bombay Staff when he'd arrived thirty years previously. He pioneered work with only a pen-knife and razor as surgical tools at Nagercoil, his surgery being a converted bathroom and from these humble beginnings he created a creditable hospital. After leaving Nagercoil he went to Anand in Guzerat to do further medical work. It was after this that he qualified with Honours. Hr returned to India and went to Moradabad where he created another medical centre which came to be one of the finest hospitals in India. The Military Command in India held Captain Andrew's Hospital to be a model one , especially its administration and the handling of Indian troops.
Job Titles:
- Captain
- Captain. Corps of Guides, 12th Frontier Force Regiment, Indian Army
In the final phase of an attack on 29th September, 1935 on the North West Frontier, India, Captain Meynell, seeking information regarding the forward troops, found them engaged against an enemy vastly superior in numbers. Taking immediate command, Captain Meynell, with two Lewis guns and about 30 men maintained a heavy and accurate fire on the advancing enemy.The enemy's overwhelming numbers nevertheless succeeded in reaching the position and putting the Lewis gun out of action. In the hand to hand battle which foillowed, Captain Meynell was mortally wounded. However, the heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy prevented them from exploiting their success.
Godfrey Meynell was the son of Brigadier General Godfrey Meynell.
He was educated at Noris Hill School and Eton.
He joined the Army and went to the Officer Corps Traing Unit, at Sandhurst.
After passing out, he joined the King's Shropshire Regiment in India.
He was an excellent linguist, especially in the Indian Language, becoming an interpreter.
He transferred to the Corps of Guides in 1926.
In 1930 whilst serving, at that time, with the Tochi Scouts he was wounded in the back whilst trying to save his troops from an ambush.
He served with the South Waziristan Scouts for a time.
He rejoined the Corps of Guides in 1931 as its Adjutant...
Job Titles:
- Medical Officer of the 5th Battalion