World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his mother) from British King George V at Buckingham Palace on June 22, 1918, for his actions as a private with the 9th Squadron, Machine Gun Corps, British Army, on March 22, 1918 at Hervilly Wood, France. His father was killed in the 2nd Boer War and he enlisted in the British Army's 19th Hussars at the age of 17. When World War I broke out in July 1914, he was sent to France. where he saw combat action in severalmajor engagements, including the Battles of Mons and Ypres. On March 22 1918, he took over command of a Vickers gun and kept firing it in spite of continuous assaults by the enemy until a low-flying aircraft the enemy aircraft managed to gain a strong foothold in the trench, and he was eventually killed. His bod was never recovered. A memorial bust in his honor was erected at Walton on the Naze, Essex, England. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice displayed, when, owing to casualties, Pte. Columbine took over command of a gun and kept it firing from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. in an isolated position with no wire in front. During this time wave after wave of the enemy failed to get up to him. Owing to his being attacked by a low-flying aeroplane the enemy at last gained a strong footing in the trench on either side. The position being untenable he ordered the two remaining men to get away, and, though being bombed from either side, kept his gun firing and inflicting tremendous losses. He was eventually killed by a bomb which blew up him and his gun. He showed throughout the highest valour, determination and self-sacrifice."
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his mother) from British King George V at Buckingham Palace on June 22, 1918, for his actions as a private with the 9th Squadron, Machine Gun Corps, British Army, on March 22, 1918 at Hervilly Wood, France. His father was killed in the 2nd Boer War and he enlisted in the British Army's 19th Hussars at the age of 17. When World War I broke out in July 1914, he was sent to France. where he saw combat action in severalmajor engagements, including the Battles of Mons and Ypres. On March 22 1918, he took over command of a Vickers gun and kept firing it in spite of continuous assaults by the enemy until a low-flying aircraft the enemy aircraft managed to gain a strong foothold in the trench, and he was eventually killed. His bod was never recovered. A memorial bust in his honor was erected at Walton on the Naze, Essex, England. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice displayed, when, owing to casualties, Pte. Columbine took over command of a gun and kept it firing from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. in an isolated position with no wire in front. During this time wave after wave of the enemy failed to get up to him. Owing to his being attacked by a low-flying aeroplane the enemy at last gained a strong footing in the trench on either side. The position being untenable he ordered the two remaining men to get away, and, though being bombed from either side, kept his gun firing and inflicting tremendous losses. He was eventually killed by a bomb which blew up him and his gun. He showed throughout the highest valour, determination and self-sacrifice."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Inscription
MACHINE GUN CORPS
PRIVATE
COLUMBINE H.G.
Gravesite Details
Final resting place unknown. Name listed on the Memorial
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