2nd Boer War Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award from British King Edward VII at the Marlborough House, London, England on July 25, 1902 for his actions as a sergeant in the 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment of the British Army on February 24, 1900 near Arundel, Cape Colony, South Africa, during the 2nd Boer War. Born in Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, he enlisted in the British Army in July 1889. Following his service in the 2nd Boer War, he returned to England and was medically discharged due to his injuries. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "During the action at Plewman's Farm, near Arundel, Cape Colony, on the 24th February, 1900, Lance-Corporal Blackman having been wounded and lying exposed to a hot fire at a range of from four to five hundred yards, Sergeant Firth picked him up and carried him to cover. Later in the day, when the enemy had advanced to within a short distance of the firing line, Second Lieutenant Wilson being dangerously wounded and in a most exposed position Sergeant Firth carried him over the crest of the ridge, which was being held by the troops, to shelter, and was himself shot through the nose and eye whilst doing so." In addition to the Victoria Cross, he received the Queen's South Africa Medal (with Cape Colony clasp). He died of tuberculosis in Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England at the age of 47. His Victoria Cross is on display at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes Exhibition of the British Imperial War Museum in London, England.
2nd Boer War Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award from British King Edward VII at the Marlborough House, London, England on July 25, 1902 for his actions as a sergeant in the 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment of the British Army on February 24, 1900 near Arundel, Cape Colony, South Africa, during the 2nd Boer War. Born in Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, he enlisted in the British Army in July 1889. Following his service in the 2nd Boer War, he returned to England and was medically discharged due to his injuries. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "During the action at Plewman's Farm, near Arundel, Cape Colony, on the 24th February, 1900, Lance-Corporal Blackman having been wounded and lying exposed to a hot fire at a range of from four to five hundred yards, Sergeant Firth picked him up and carried him to cover. Later in the day, when the enemy had advanced to within a short distance of the firing line, Second Lieutenant Wilson being dangerously wounded and in a most exposed position Sergeant Firth carried him over the crest of the ridge, which was being held by the troops, to shelter, and was himself shot through the nose and eye whilst doing so." In addition to the Victoria Cross, he received the Queen's South Africa Medal (with Cape Colony clasp). He died of tuberculosis in Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England at the age of 47. His Victoria Cross is on display at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes Exhibition of the British Imperial War Museum in London, England.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Inscription
I L M O JOSEPH WALLIS the bel son of JAMES & MARY FLORENCE WALLIS FIRTH w d APR 28 1912 age 10yrs. None but ourselves can realise our loss. Also of JAMES FIRTH V.C. bel hus of the ab died MAY 29 1921 age 47yrs. Rest after weariness. Also ALLEYNE FIRTH bel son of the ab died DEC ... ... ... ... (unreadable) The hand of God is above all.
Family Members
Children
Advertisement
See more Firth memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
