World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his widow) from British King George V on July 21, 1917 at Buckingham Palace in London, England for his actions as a corporal in the 8th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers, British Army on May 3, 1917 at Pelves, France during World War I. Born in Kennington, London, England, he joined the 12th Battalion, Royal West Kents following the outbreak of World War I in July 1914. Later he transferred to the 8th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers, and was sent to the Western Front in France. During the Battle of Arras, he was killed in combat at the age of 25. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion in deliberately sacrificing his life to save others. He had, together with some wounded men, been taken prisoner and placed under guard in a dug-out. The same evening the enemy were driven back by our troops, the leading infantrymen of which commenced to bomb the dug-outs. A grenade fell in the dugout, and without hesitation Cpl. Jarratt placed both feet on the grenade, the subsequent explosion blowing off both his legs. The wounded were later safely removed to our lines, but Cpl. Jarratt died before he could be removed. By this supreme act of self-sacrifice the lives of these wounded were saved." In addition to the Victoria Cross, he received the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal (1914-20), and the Victory Medal (1914-19). His Victoria Cross and other medals are on display in the Royal Fusiliers Museum at Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress (the Tower of London), Tower Hamlets, London, England.
Husband of G. M. Jarratt, of 28, Stanley Road, Southgate, Middx.
Husband of G. M. Jarratt, of 28, Stanley Road, Southgate, Middx.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his widow) from British King George V on July 21, 1917 at Buckingham Palace in London, England for his actions as a corporal in the 8th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers, British Army on May 3, 1917 at Pelves, France during World War I. Born in Kennington, London, England, he joined the 12th Battalion, Royal West Kents following the outbreak of World War I in July 1914. Later he transferred to the 8th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers, and was sent to the Western Front in France. During the Battle of Arras, he was killed in combat at the age of 25. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion in deliberately sacrificing his life to save others. He had, together with some wounded men, been taken prisoner and placed under guard in a dug-out. The same evening the enemy were driven back by our troops, the leading infantrymen of which commenced to bomb the dug-outs. A grenade fell in the dugout, and without hesitation Cpl. Jarratt placed both feet on the grenade, the subsequent explosion blowing off both his legs. The wounded were later safely removed to our lines, but Cpl. Jarratt died before he could be removed. By this supreme act of self-sacrifice the lives of these wounded were saved." In addition to the Victoria Cross, he received the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal (1914-20), and the Victory Medal (1914-19). His Victoria Cross and other medals are on display in the Royal Fusiliers Museum at Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress (the Tower of London), Tower Hamlets, London, England.
Husband of G. M. Jarratt, of 28, Stanley Road, Southgate, Middx.
Husband of G. M. Jarratt, of 28, Stanley Road, Southgate, Middx.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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