World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award on December 3, 1914 from British King George V at Merris, France for his actions as a bombardier in the 113th Battery, Royal Field Artillery of the British Army on September 15, 1914 at the First Battle of the Marne near Vendresse, France. Born in Alton, Hampshire, England, he joined the Royal Field Artillery in February 1914 before the start of World War I in July. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry on 15th September, near Vendresse, when his Battery was in action under a heavy shell fire, in that, although twice wounded, he persisted on each occasion in returning to lay his gun after his wound had been dressed." He was later promoted to the rank of battery sergeant major. In December 1917 he was on board the troop ship HMT Aragon enroute from Marseille, France to Alexandria, Egypt, to join the Egyptian Expeditionary Force's Southern Palestine Offensive against the Ottoman Empire when it was struck by a German torpedo and sank, just ten miles from its destination. He survived the sinking but after he was rescued by the escort destroyer HMS Attack, it was also sunk by a German torpedo and he was killed at the age of 32. In addition to the Victoria Cross, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. A memorial in his honor resides at the St. John's Parish Church in Langrish, Hampshire, England.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award on December 3, 1914 from British King George V at Merris, France for his actions as a bombardier in the 113th Battery, Royal Field Artillery of the British Army on September 15, 1914 at the First Battle of the Marne near Vendresse, France. Born in Alton, Hampshire, England, he joined the Royal Field Artillery in February 1914 before the start of World War I in July. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry on 15th September, near Vendresse, when his Battery was in action under a heavy shell fire, in that, although twice wounded, he persisted on each occasion in returning to lay his gun after his wound had been dressed." He was later promoted to the rank of battery sergeant major. In December 1917 he was on board the troop ship HMT Aragon enroute from Marseille, France to Alexandria, Egypt, to join the Egyptian Expeditionary Force's Southern Palestine Offensive against the Ottoman Empire when it was struck by a German torpedo and sank, just ten miles from its destination. He survived the sinking but after he was rescued by the escort destroyer HMS Attack, it was also sunk by a German torpedo and he was killed at the age of 32. In addition to the Victoria Cross, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. A memorial in his honor resides at the St. John's Parish Church in Langrish, Hampshire, England.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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