TOPIC:

Was a record kept of all recommendations for the V.C.?, as there must have been quite a few unsuccessful ones. Here are two of them - A. W. Evans, of the Natal Mounted Rifles, who got a D.C.M., and a Trooper Pomeroy, of the Dragoon Guards - did he earn himself a medal?

....General White has promised to recommend Trooper A. W. Evans, of the Natal Mounted Rifles, for the Victoria Cross. On Saturday, 28th November, Evans and five others were on patrol duty somewhere on the other side of the Helpmakaar Ridge. Troopers Golding and Landsberg were ahead and on foot when the enemy, who were concealed, fired upon them. Landsberg, who was in charge, ordered them to retire, but Golding's horse broke away. The enemy were advancing, but Evans, under a heavy fire, galloped after the careering horse, captured it, and brought it back, when his brother trooper was able to mount, and they got away together. Evans' act was a particularly brave one as he went some distance within the enemy's zone of fire, and was alone in peril of his life, and but narrowly escaped capture by the Boers. Another act of this kind was performed by Trooper Pomeroy, of the Dragoon Guards, a mere boy in years (says the Daily Telegraph correspondent), but a lion in courage, who won his recommendation for the Victoria Cross. A comrade, wounded and horseless, lay where the fire was hottest. Pomeroy, turning in his saddle, saw this, pulled his horse into a trot, rode back quietly through the fire from which he had just emerged, took the wounded trooper on his horse, and brought him out of the field himself unscathed by the scores of bullets that whizzed about his ears. That act alone should be enough to make General Brocklehurst's first skirmish with the Boers memorable. The Dragoon Guards hailed it with cheers as a worthy addition to the long list of regimental honours, and their enthusiasm is so infectious that we already begun to call this "Festive Friday."
The Westmorland Gazette, Saturday 30th December 1899

I wonder if the article is referring to this chap?

Interestingly he is not mentioned in the VC register.

The Hon R Pomeroy was apparently awarded the Victoria Cross for saving a trooper of the Imperial Light Horse under heavy fire during a sortie from Ladysmith. Taddy cigarette cards of VC Heroes 1901-1904, number 85, depicts 'Lieut.the Hon.R.Pomeroy.V.C.' But there is no mention of R.Pomeroy (or Legge Pomeroy) in the lists of VC recipients. The Hon Ralph Legge Pomeroy was the author of the main regimental history of the 5th Dragoon Guards and various other regimental histories. The peerage.com makes no mention of his authorship or that he won the VC:
He became the 8th Viscount of Harberton I believe,

Trooper A W Evans 292 Natal Mounted Rifles Distinguished Conduct Medal
Note in medal roll mentions moving to V C R unit (Volunteer Composite Regiment)

Evans A W 292 Trooper QSA (5)
Source: List of QSAs with the clasp Elandslaagte

Evans A W 292 Trooper Between Limit Hill and Helpmaakar Post, near Ladysmith 4 Nov 99
Source: DCM recipients


Evans A W 292 Trooper Served 29 Sep 99 to 31 May 02.
Source: Nominal roll in WO127

Evans A W 292 Trooper QSA (5) Eland DoL OFS Tr LN
Provisional list of recipients
Source: Ladysmith Siege Account and Medal Roll

www.nam.ac.uk/explore/victoria-cross

This link mentions recommendations and history of the award.

Dave F wrote: I wonder if the article is referring to this chap?

Interestingly he is not mentioned in the VC register.

The Hon R Pomeroy was apparently awarded the Victoria Cross for saving a trooper of the Imperial Light Horse under heavy fire during a sortie from Ladysmith. Taddy cigarette cards of VC Heroes 1901-1904, number 85, depicts 'Lieut.the Hon.R.Pomeroy.V.C.' But there is no mention of R.Pomeroy (or Legge Pomeroy) in the lists of VC recipients. The Hon Ralph Legge Pomeroy was the author of the main regimental history of the 5th Dragoon Guards and various other regimental histories. The peerage.com makes no mention of his authorship or that he won the VC:
He became the 8th Viscount of Harberton I believe,

Odd. Thanks for finding that, Dave.

Another man apparently recommended for the V.C. was Drummond, New South Wales Contingent -
" 'Jack' [McDonald] was very loth to say anything regarding his own exploits, but admitted that he had done dangerous work, being generally one of those always sent out to draw the enemy's fire. On one of these occasions he had his horse shot under him, and consequently was placed in an awkward corner, and probably would have been captured but for a Corporal Drummond, who, at great risk to himself, rode back and rescued him. For this deed Drummond had been recommended for the V.C."
Southern Star [Bega, N.S.W.], Saturday 19th January 1901

...."Amongst the many individual acts of bravery displayed by our men in South Africa, that of Private Fitzmaurice, of the Grenadier Guards, stands out prominent. During the thick of the fight at Belmont, Colonel Crabbe, commanding the Grenadiers, became detached from his regiment, and was immediately surrounded by Boers. Seeing his Colonel's danger, Fitzmaurice rushed to his assistance. He shot two Boers, bayonetted a third, and amidst the firing carried Colonel Crabbe to the ambulance waggon. The Colonel was shot in the wrist, and injured in the thigh, and these were the wounds he described as scratches when wiring the result of the battle to Windsor. He was soon about again, and recommended Fitzmaurice for the Victoria Cross."
The Ipswich Journal, Saturday 20th January 1900

He doesn't appear to have been awarded a VC, so did he get a DCM?

Berenice
Pte. D. Drummond of the NSW contingent was awarded the DCM LG27/9/01 and AO 15/02. Served with 3rd NSWMR, mentioned for Bravery Under Fire by Lord Roberts and promoted Corporal. In WW1 served as Lt., with 6 LHR.
I could not find any entry in the DCM book regarding a Pte Fitzmaurice of the GG.
Regards
IL.