| Price-davies | Llewellyn Alberic Emilius | Trooper | PRICE-DAVIES, LLEWELYN ALBERIC EMILIUS, Lieutenant, was born 30 June, 1878, third son of Lewis Richard Price, of Marrington Hall, Chirbury, Salop. He was educated at Marlborough and Sandhurst, and entered the Army 23 February 1898, serving throughout the South African War of 1899-1902. For his services in this campaign he was twice mentioned in Despatches, received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: 'Llewelyn Alberic Emilius Price-Davies, Lieutenant, King's Royal Rifle Corps. For services in South Africa'. He was also awarded the Victoria Cross [London Gazette, 29 November 1901]: 'Llewelyn Alberic Emilius Price-Davies, Lieutenant, King's Royal Rifle Corps. At Blood River Poort, on the 17th September 1901, when the Boers had overwhelmed the right of the British column, and some four hundred of them were galloping round the flank and rear of the guns, riding up to the drivers (who were trying to get the guns away) and calling upon them to surrender, Lieutenant Price-Davies, hearing an order to fire upon the charging Boers, at once drew his revolver and dashed in among them, firing at them in a most gallant and desperate attempt to rescue the guns. He was immediately shot and knocked off his horse, but was not mortally wounded, although he had ridden to what seemed to be almost certain death without a moment's hesitation'. He was promoted to Captain 2 January 1902. In 1906 Captain Price-Davies married Eileen Geraldine Edith, daughter of James Wilson, of Currygrane, Edgeworthstown, Ireland. From the 22nd March, 1900 to the 31st July 1903, he was Adjutant and Quartermaster, Mounted Infantry, Irish Command, and from October 1906, to November 1907, was Adjutant, 5th Battalion Mounted Infantry, South Africa. He was a student at the Staff College, Camberley, from 1908 to 1909; and from 1 November 1910 to 17 June 1912, was Brigade Major, 13th Brigade, Irish Command. From the 18th June 1912 to the 4th August 1914, he was GSO3, War Office and from the 5th August 1914 to the 24th September 1914, GSO3, 2nd Division. He was GSO2, GHQ, from the 2nd October 1914 to the 11th March 1915; GS02 4th Division, from 12 March 1915 to 24 November 1915. He became Major 1 September 1915, and commanded a Brigade in England from the 25th November 1915 to the 29th November 1915; in France from the 1st December 1915 to the 7th November 1917; Brevet Lieutenant Colonel 1 January 1916. He commanded a Brigade in England from the 8th November 1917 to the 2nd April 1918; was created a CMG in January 1918; commanded a Brigade in France from the 3rd April 1918 to the 15th April, 1918, and was specially employed in Italy, with rank of temporary Major General, from the 16th April 1918 to the 31st December 1918; was given the Brevet of Colonel 3 June 1918. He died on 26 December 65 in Corndon, Berkshire and was buried on Sonning. VC, CB (m), CMG, DSO VRI, QSA (5) TH OFS RofL Tr LN, KSA (2), 1914 Star & bar, BWM, VM & MID, Defence Medal, 1957 Jubilee, 1937 Coronation, 1953 Coronation, Portugal Order of Avis, France Legio d'Honneur (Knight). RHQ
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | King's Royal Rifle Corps |
| Ramsden | Horace Edward | Private | RAMSOEN, H E, Trooper, Protectorate Regiment , was awarded the Victoria Cross for services in the South African War of 1899-1902 [London Gazette, 6 July, 1900]: 'H E Ramsden, Trooper, Protectorate Regiment. On the 26th December 1899, during the fight at Game Tree, near Mafeking, after the order to retire was given, Trooper H E Ramsden picked up his brother, Trooper A E Ramsden, who had been shot through both legs and was lying about ten yards from the Boer trenches, and carried him about 600 or 800 yards under a heavy fire (putting him down from time to time to rest), till they met some men who helped to carry him to a place of safety'. This was the second Victoria Cross awarded to a soldier for saving his own brother's life; the first was awarded to Sir C J S Gough. After the war he gained a commission in the Johannesburg Mounted Rifles. He married Ada Tomlinson and had a son. During the Great War he served with Hartigan's Horse in South West Africa where he was taken prisoner by the Germans. He divorced and remarried Mary Levy in 1934. Ramsden died at Wynberg on 3 August 1948.
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | Protectorate Regiment |
| Ravenhill | George | Private | RAVENHILL, GEORGE, Private (at first gazetted as Charles), was the son of Mr T Ravenhill, Warren Road, Washwood, and was born at Birmingham on 21 February 1872. In May 1889, he joined the 1st Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, and served in India for nearly six years, and with the 2nd Battalion for two years in the South African Campaign of 1899-1902. He was awarded the DCM for the action at Fredrickstad; the Medal was, however, cancelled when he won the Victoria Cross even thought it was for a completely different action. He also received the Queen's and King's Medals with clasps for the Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal and Cape Colony. He won his Victoria Cross under the command of Colonel E E Carr CB, and in General Geoffrey Barton's Brigade. The decoration was presented to him by HRH the Duke of York at Pietermaritzburg on 4 June 1901. His Victoria Cross was gazetted 4 June 1901: 'C [sic] Ravenhill, Private, 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers. At Colenso, on the 15th December 1899, Private Ravenhill went several times, under a heavy fire, from his sheltered position as one of the escort to the guns to assist the officers and drivers who were trying to withdraw the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, The Royal Field Artillery, when the detachments serving them had all been killed, wounded, or driven from them by infantry fire at close range, and helped to limber up one of the guns that were saved'. Living in poverty in later life, his first three children were sent to foster homes in the USA and Canada. A conviction for theft led to the forfeiting on his VC on 24 August 1908. He was imprisoned for seven days as he could not pay the fine of ten shilling fine that was imposed. Ravenhill died in Birmingham on 14 April 1921 at the age of 49. He was buried at Witton Cemetery. His VC is located in the Royal Scots Fusiliers Regimental Museum. VC, IGS, QSA (3) RofL, Tr CC, KSA (2), 1911 Coronation Medal. Sotheby's 1909 £43.
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | Royal Scots Fusiliers |
| Reed | Hamilton Lyster | Captain | REED, HAMILTON LYSTER, Captain was born on the 23rd of May 1869, son of Sir Andrew Reed, KCB, CVO, Inspector General, Royal Irish Constabulary, and of Elizabeth Mary, daughter of Hamilton Lyster, of Croghan, Parsonstown. He was educated at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and was gazetted into the Royal Field Artillery, 13 February 1888, becoming Captain, in 1808. In the South African War of 1899-1902, he was at first Captain, 7th Battery, RFA, later Adjutant, RFA, and DAAG on the Staff of the GOC, Orange River Colony. He took part in the operations in Natal (1899), was at the relief of Ladysmith, and the action at Colenso (where he gained the Victoria Cross, and was slightly wounded); operations of 17-24 January 1900 and action at Spion Kop; operations of 5-7 February 1900, and actions at Vaal Krantz; and during operations on Tugela Heights (14-24 February 1900), and action at Pieter's Hill. In Natal, March to June, 1900, including actions at Laing's Nek (6-9 June). In the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to October 1900, including actions at Belfast (26 and 27 August) and Lydenburg (5-8 September). Also during the operations in Orange River Colony (30 November 1900, to 31 May, 1902). For his services in this campaign he was three times mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 26 January 1900, 8 February and 10 September 1901]. He received the Queen's Medal with six clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was awarded the Victoria Cross [London Gazette, 2 February 1900]: 'Hamilton Lyster Reed, Captain, 7th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Date of Act of Bravery: 15 December 1899. Captain Reed, who had heard of the difficulty, shortly afterwards brought down three teams from his battery to see if he could be of any use. He was wounded, as were five of the thirteen men who rode with him. One was killed, and thirteen (including his own) out of twenty-one horses were killed before he got half-way to the guns, and he was obliged to retire'. Captain Reed's Victoria Cross was presented to him by Sir Redvers Buller at Ladysmith on 4 March, 1900. He was promoted to Major 1904; passed the Staff College in 1905; was on the General Staff, Army Headquarters, from 1906 to 1910, and from 1910 to 1911 was Staff Officer to the Inspector General, Overseas Force. In 1911 he married Marjorie Eleanor, younger daughter of A Theodore Olive, of The Cedars, Datchet, and they had one son and two daughters. He was additional Military Attache with Turkish Army, 1912 to 1913, during the Balkan War. Colonel Reed served in the European War from 1914; was mentioned in Despatches 7 times; created a CMG 10 April 1916; was wounded; Brevet Colonel 13 May, 1916; CB 1 January 1918; appointed Temporary Brigadier General June 1915, and Temporary Major-General whilst in command of a division October 1917; promoted Major General 3 June 1919. Reed died in London on 7 March 1931 at the age of 61. Reed's only son, Andrew Patrick, served in the Royal Ulster Rifles and became a flying officer in the RAF. He was killed in action in May 1940 aged 26. VC, CB, CMG, QSA (6), KSA (2), 1914-15 Star, BWM, VM + MID, 1911 Coronation Medal, 1937 Coronation Medal, France Croix de Guerre.
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | 7th Battery, RFA |
| Richardson | Arthur Herbert Lindsay | Sergeant | RICHARDSON, ARTHUR HERBERT LINDSAY, Sergeant, served in South Africa, and was the first Colonial whose Victoria Cross was gazetted during the Boer War [London Gazette, 14 September 1900]: 'Arthur Herbert Lindsay Richardson, Sergeant, Lord Strathcona's Horse. On the 5th July, 1900, at Wolve Spruit, about fifteen miles north of Standerton, a party of Lord Strathcona's Corps, only thirty-eight in number, came into contact and was engaged at close quarters with a force of eighty of the enemy. When the order to retire had been given, Sergeant Richardson rode back under a very heavy cross-fire and picked up a trooper whose horse had been shot and who was wounded in two places, and rode with him out of fire. At the time when this act of gallantry was performed Sergeant Richardson was within 300 yards of the enemy, and was himself riding a wounded horse'.
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | Canada, Lord Strathcona's Horse |
| Roberts | Frederick Hugh Sherston (The H | Lieutenant | ROBERTS, THE HONOURABLE FREDERICK SHERSTON, Lieutenant, was born at Umballa, India, 8 January 1872. He entered the King's Royal Rifle Corps on 10 June 1891, and during the four following years was on active service on the North-West Frontier of India, including Chitral, receiving the Medals and clasps and being mentioned in Despatches. He served in the Boer War of 1899-1902, and lost his life at the Battle of Colenso in an attempt (described in the account of Captain Congreve) to save the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, RFA, which had dashed forward, far in advance of their flank supports, and opened fire on the Boer position. Without shelter of any description, and in full view of a strongly entrenched enemy, they became the object of a fearful storm of bullets and shells, which tore the horses to pieces and strewed the gunners on the ground around the guns. At last there were hardly enough men left to serve the guns, and it seemed impossible to bring relief from the donga five hundred yards to the rear. Soon the batteries had no one to serve them, and they were abandoned. But Colonel Long had said as they removed him from the gun by which he had fallen, 'Abandon be damned! We don't abandon guns'. Others were of the same opinion, and Lieutenant Roberts was one of those who answered General Buller's appeal for volunteers, and was mortally wounded in trying to save a gun, which was presented to Lord Roberts by the War Office authorities. On it, years afterwards, the great soldier's coffin was carried at his funeral. The following is an extract from a letter written by an officer at this time to a friend: 'I was galloper to General Clery, who rode all day with Sir Redvers Buller. About ten o'clock two batteries, which had advanced too close, ran short of ammunition. Their limbers were about 800 yards behind. Horses and men were sheltering in a deep narrow nullah. General Buller told them to take the limbers up to the battery, but directly they emerged a storm of bullets and shells fell all around ... Generals Clery and Buller stood out in it, and said, 'Some of you go and help'. Schofield (ADC), Roberts (Lord Roberts's son) and myself, with the help of a corporal and six gunners, went to the limbers, and got two of them horsed. I have never seen, even at field firing, the bullets fly thicker. All one could see was little tufts of dust all over the ground, a whistling noise — 'phux', where they hit, and an increasing rattle of musketry, somewhere in front. My first bullet went through my left sleeve, and just made the joint of my elbow bleed, next a clod of earth caught me smack on the right arm; then my horse got one, then my right leg one, my horse another, and that settled us, for he plunged, and I fell about a hundred yards short of the guns we were going to'. The fury of that leaden storm can be imagined from the fact that one gunner was found with sixty-four wounds in his body. In the meantime Captain Reed, of the 7th Battery, had arrived with three spare teams of horses, and he made another desperate effort to save the remaining guns, but five of his thirteen men were hit and one killed, and thirteen out of his twenty-one horses killed before he could get half-way to the guns. For his gallantry on this occasion he was afterwards awarded the Victoria Cross, as were Schofield, Congreve and Roberts. The Honourable Frederick Roberts's Victoria Cross was gazetted 2 January 1900: 'The Honourable Frederick Sherston Roberts (since deceased), Lieutenant, King's Royal Rifle Corps. At Colenso, on the 15th December 1899, the detachments serving the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, had all been either killed, wounded, or driven from their guns by infantry fire at close range, and the guns were deserted. About 5OO yards behind the lines was a donga, in which some of the few horses and drivers left alive were sheltered. The intervening space was swept with shell and rifle fire. Captain Congreve, Rifle Brigade, who was in the donga, assisted to hook a team into a limber, went out, and assisted to limber up a gun. Being wounded, he took shelter; but seeing Lieutenant Roberts fall badly wounded, he went out again and brought him in. With him went the gallant Major Babtie, of the RAMC, who had ridden across the donga amid a hail of bullets, and had done what he could for the wounded men. Captain Congreve was shot through the leg, through the toe of his boot, grazed on the elbow and the shoulder, and his horse shot in three places. Lieutenant Roberts assisted Captain Congreve. He was wounded in three places'. There is a memorial to him in Winchester Cathedral and in the chapel at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. VC, IGS 1854 (1) Clasp Waziristan 1894-95, IGS 1895 (1) Relief of Chitral, Queen's Sudan, QSA (2) RofL, Nat, with raised dates, 1897 Jubilee Medal, Turkey Order of the Medjidie (4th class), Khedive's Sudan Medal.
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | King's Royal Rifle Corps |
| Robertson | William | Sergeant Major | ROBERTSON, WILLIAM, Lieutenant, was born at Dumfries, 27 February 1865, the son of John M and Janet Robertson. He was educated at Dumfries, and joined the Army on 1 December 1884. He married, 29 March 1891, in Belfast, Sara J Ferris, daughter of Mr and Mrs S Ferris, of Belfast, and their children are: William J Robertson, born 18 February 1892 (now Captain, RAMC); Marion M Robertson; Jan Gordon Robertson, born 18 August 1897 (Second Lieutenant The Gordon Highlanders; killed at Beaumont Hamel), and Hector E Robertson. William Robertson served for some years in India. He landed in South Africa on 8 October 1899, two days before the Boer ultimatum to Great Britain, and proceeded to Ladysmith. During the defence of that town he fought and was wounded in the Battle of Elandslaagte, where he won the Victoria Cross. The following is the account from the London Gazette of 20 July 1900: 'William Robertson, Sergeant-Major (now Quartermaster and Honorary Lieutenant) The Gordon Highlanders. Date of Act of Bravery: 21 October 1899. At the Battle of Elandslaagte, on the 21st October 1899, during the final advance on the enemy's position, this Warrant Officer led each successive rush, exposing himself fearlessly to the enemy's artillery and rifle fire to encourage the men. After the main position had been captured, he led a small party to seize the Boer Camp. Though exposed to a deadly cross-fire from the enemy's rifles, he gallantly held the position captured, and continued to encourage the men until he was wounded in two places'. The recommendation was endorsed by the Brigadier (Ian Hamilton), who was an eyewitness to the second part of the Sergeant Major's feat of arms. He writes now to say that no better VC was ever won than William Robertson's. There was no vainglory about it, but the danger was incurred in a cool and reasoned spirit for a military end of real importance. On his return from South Africa the Freedom of the Royal Burgh of Dumfries was conferred upon him. Lieutenant Robertson was decorated with the Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria at Osborne. For his services in this campaign he also received the Queen's Medal with clasps for Ladysmith, Elandslaagte and Cape Colony. During the Great War he was Recruiting Staff Officer, at Edinburgh, for which he was promoted Lieutenant Colonel and made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. VC, OBE (mil), QSA (3) Eland DofL, CC, KSA (2), DM, 1911 Coronation Medal, 1937 Coronation Medal, Special Constabulary, Fr Legion d' Honour.
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | Gordon Highlanders |
| Rogers | James | Sergeant | ROGERS, JAMES, Sergeant, was born in Riverina, New South Wales, Australia, on 2 June, 1875. He served in the South African War of 1899-1902, and was awarded the Victoria Cross [London Gazette, 18 April, 1902]: 'James Rogers, Sergeant, South African Constabulary. On the 15th June 1901, during a skirmish near Thaba 'Nchu, a party of the rear-guard of Captain Sitwell's Column, consisting of Lieutenant F Dickinson, Sergeant James Rogers, and six men of the South African Constabulary, was suddenly attacked by about sixty Boers. Lieutenant Dickinson's horse having been shot, that officer was compelled to follow his men on foot. Sergeant Rogers, seeing this, rode back, firing as he did so, took Lieutenant Dickinson up behind him, and carried him for half a mile on his horse. The sergeant then returned to within 400 yards of the enemy, and carried away, one after the other, two men who had lost their horses, after which he caught the horses of two other men, and helped the men to mount. All this was done under a very heavy rifle fire. The Boers were near enough to Sergeant Rogers to call upon him to surrender; his only answer was to continue firing'. He joined the Australian Expeditionary Force on 6 December 1914, and was attached to the same Brigade as Lieutenant Colonel Maygar in the early days of the European War. He was wounded 4 August 1915, at Gallipoli, and returned invalided to Australia on 10 June 1916. Lieutenant Rogers' appointment terminated in Australia 31 December 1916.
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | South African Constabulary |
| Schofield | Harry Norton | Captain | SCHOFIELD, HARRY NORTON, Captain, was born on 29 January 1865, son of Christopher James Schofield, JP, Lancashire. He entered the Royal Artillery from the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, as Lieutenant, in February 1884, and became Captain in February 1893. Captain Schofield served in the South African War in 1899 and 1900, as Aide-de-Camp to General Sir Redvers Buller, VC, GCB, GCMG. He was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including the action at Colenso; at the operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and the action at Spion Kop. Operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Krantz; operations on Tugela Heights (14 to 27 February) and action at Pieter's Hill. Operations in Natal (March to June, 1900), including action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June). Operations in the Transvaal, East of Pretoria (July to October 1900), including the action at Belfast (26 and 27 August) and Lydenburg (5 to 8 September). At the Battle of Colenso General Buller had ordered Colonel Long to take two batteries of Field Artillery and six naval guns to support the main attack. The 14th and 66th Field Batteries were accompanied by six naval guns (two of 4.7-inch and four 12-pounders), under Lieutenant Ogilvy of the Terrible. At an early stage in the action, Long's field guns unlimbered within a thousand yards of the enemy's trenches. From this position he opened fire upon Fort Wylie, which was the centre of that portion of the Boer position which faced him. The two batteries were without shelter of any sort, and in full view of the strongly-entrenched and invisible enemy, and a fearful storm of bullets broke over them. After same time, owing to the ammunition running out, it was thought advisable to retire the officers and men to a small donga behind the guns, to which the wounded (including Colonel Long) had been taken. About 800 yards to the rear of the guns was a deep donga or nullah, in which the drivers and teams were taking cover; along this Captain Schofield was riding with Sir Redvers Buller, who expressed a wish to try and get some of the guns away; so Gerard (Lord Gerard) and Schofield rode their horses into the donga and got some men and two teams out. Congreve, Schofield and Roberts, three aides-de-camp of the Generals, were the leaders in this forlorn hope, the latter being the only son of Lord Roberts. As soon as the teams were hooked in to the limbers on the bank of the donga, Captain Schofield gave the order to gallop for the guns, and, as they got nearer, directed them on to the two on the right, as they appeared to be clear of dead horses. Corporal Nurse galloped out with Schofield, and Roberts joined them, and was galloping along on Captain Schofield's left. Congreve, after helping to hook a team in a limber, got his horse and came after them. On going about 400 yards, Roberts was shot and fell backwards. Congreve fell wounded when about 100 yards away from the guns, on reaching which Captain Schofield and Corporal Nurse jumped off their horses and hooked in the two guns, with which they returned. The drivers, Henry Taylor, Young, Petts, Rockall, Lucas and Williams, of the 66th Battery, all received the DCM for his services in this campaign Captain Schofield was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 26 January 1900, and London Gazette, 8 February 1901 (Sir Redvers Buller, 30 March and 9 November 1900)]. He received the Queen's Medal with six clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: 'Harry Norton Schofield, Major, Royal Artillery. In recognition of services during the recent campaign in South Africa'. The award was cancelled nearly two years after the Battle of Colenso, when he was awarded the Victoria Cross instead of the DSO [London Gazette, 30 August 1901]: 'The King has been graciously pleased to signify His intention to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross upon the undermentioned Officer, whose claims have been submitted for His Majesty's approval, for his conspicuous bravery in South Africa, as stated against his name: Harry Norton Schofield, Captain, Royal Field Artillery. Date of Act of Bravery: at Colenso on the 15th December 1899. When the detachments serving the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, had all been killed, wounded or driven from them by infantry fire at close range, Captain Schofield went out when the first attempt was made to extricate the guns, and assisted in withdrawing the two that were saved. Note: In consequence of the above, the appointment of this Officer to the Distinguished Service Order, which was notified in the London Gazette of the 19th April, 1901, is cancelled'. Captain Schofield was promoted to Major in 1900. Major Schofield retired in December 1905. He was one of His Majesty's Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms. Major Schofield was re-employed, 1914 to 1918, firstly on the British Remount Commission in Canada and America, and afterwards as Commandant on Lines of Communication, BEF. He was temporary Lieutenant Colonel, 1915 to 1918, and retired in 1918 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In June, 1917, he married Dorothy Evelyn Vere, eldest daughter of Arthur Charles Isham. Lieutenant Colonel Schofield died in London on 10 October 1931, aged 66. He was buried in Putney Vale Cemetery. VC, reverse of suspension bar engraved (Captain H.N. Schofield, Royal Field Artillery)reverse centre of the cross dated '15th Decr 1899, QSA (6) CC TH OFS RofL LN Belf (Major DSO RA), 1914-15 STAR (Lt Col); 1902 Coronation, 1911 Coronation. Kaplan Jul 85. Sothebys Nov 1988. DNW Jul 93 £19,000.
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | Royal Field Artillery |
| Scott | Robert | Private | SCOTT, ROBERT, Private, was born at Haslingden, Lancashire, on 4 June 1874. On 2 February 1895, he entered the Manchester Regiment , with which he was serving in Natal when the Boer War broke out in October 1899. He went through the whole Siege of Ladysmith without being once absent from duty. He won the Victoria Cross, with which he was decorated by Lord Kitchener on 8 June, 1902, at Pretoria. He was serving under Lieutenant R Hunt-Grubbe during the great attack on Ladysmith on 6 January 1900, when he won his Cross, which was gazetted 26 July 1901: 'R Scott, Private, and J Pitts, Private, 1st Battalion The Manchester Regiment. During the attack on Caesar's Camp, in Natal, on the 6th January 1900, these two men occupied a sangar, on the left of which all our men had been shot down and their positions occupied by Boers, and held their post for fifteen hours without food or water, all the time under an extremely heavy fire, keeping up their fire and a smart look-out, though the Boers occupied some sangars on their immediate left rear. Private Scott was wounded'. After recovering from his wounds Scott was employed at the Regimental Depot as Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant. With the outbreak of WWI he took over the same role with the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, which moved to Cleveleys until February 1919 when it moved to Blackdown, near Aldershot in February 1919 and was disembodied on 9 July 1919. After 28 years service in the Regiment he retired and moved to County Down, where he joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary, becoming a Sergeant, serving at the RUC Depot in Newtonards. During WWII he was keen to re-enlist in the Manchesters but, this not being allowed because of his age, he managed to enlist in the Royal Air Force, serving in a security capacity with RAF Ground Staff. At the end of the war he returned to his home in Ballinran, Kilkeel, Newry, County Down. Robert Scott died on 22 February 1961 and, following a military funeral, was buried in the cemetery of Christ Church, Kilkeel. The 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment, stationed in Northern Ireland at the time, provided the bearer party and Guard of Honour. A commemorative blue plaque was erected on his birthplace in Haslingden on 11 January 1997 and was unveiled by Colonel Donald Gibbs of the Manchester Regiment. His Victoria Cross and medals were left by him to the Manchester Regiment and are now displayed in the Museum of The Manchester Regiment. On 10 May 1998 a memorial plaque to Robert Scott and Robert Hanna VC was unveiled by the British Legion in Kilkeel. This was attended by members of the Manchester Regiment Old Comrades Association. He is also remembered in the museum of the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Belfast. Robert Scott had two daughters and four grandchildren. One grandson, Dion Carr Scott, served in the Royal Air Force during the 1960's.
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | Manchester Regiment |
| Shaul | John David Francis | Corporal | SHAUL, JOHN DAVID FRANCIS, Corporal, son of Sergeant John Shaul, 2nd Battalion Royal Scots (veteran of the Crimean and China (1860) Campaigns), was born at King's Lynn, Norfolk, on 11 September 1873, and educated at the Duke of York's School, Chelsea. At the age of fifteen he joined the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry, and served in Crete during the fighting in 1898. He served throughout the Boer War, receiving the Queen's and King's Medals with five clasps, besides the Victoria Cross. His commanding officers at Magersfontein were Lieutenant Colonel H R Kelham, CB, and Major T Richardson, DSO. Corporal Shaul was decorated with the Victoria Cross by HRH the Duke of York at Pietermaritzburg, 14 August 1901. The decoration was gazetted 28 September 1900: 'J Shaul, Corporal, Highland Light Infantry. Date of Act of Bravery: 11 December 1899. On the 11th December 1899, during the Battle of Magersfontein, Corporal Shaul was observed, not only by the officers of his own battalion, but by several officers of other regiments, to perform several specific acts of bravery. Corporal Shaul was in charge of stretcher-bearers; but at one period of the battle he was seen encouraging men to advance across the open. He was most conspicuous during the day in dressing men's wounds, and in one case he came, under a heavy fire, to a man who was lying wounded in the back, and with the utmost coolness and deliberation sat down beside the wounded man and proceeded to dress his wound. Having done this, he got up and went quietly to another part of the field. This act of gallantry was performed, under a continuous and heavy fire, as coolly and quietly as if there had been no enemy near'. His regiment was next posted to Egypt and the Soudan, where he served during 1903 and 1904. He was awarded the LS&GC in April 1907, whilst stationed in India, and left the regiment in October 1909, having served for 21 years. In 1910, he emigrated to South Africa, where he worked at the East Rand Proprietry Goldmine in Boksburg. Shortly afterwards he joined the Imperial Light Horse and became their Bandmaster. During the Great War he enlisted on 20 December 1915, and served with the 5th South African Infantry in East Africa in 1916 until invalided home with dysentery later in the year. He was discharged medically unfit on 8 November 1916, and is entitled to the British War and Victory Medals only for his war services. He is not entitled to the 1914-15 Star which he has clearly added to his group of medals for personal reasons. For 27 years he served as Bandmaster with the Boksburg Military Band which was founded in 1912 and had the honour to entertain the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) and Prince George (later Duke of Kent) during their visits to Boksburg. John Shaul received the MSM in 1946, and retired from the East Rand Proprietry Goldmine in 1948. He married Ester Maria McNally at Aliwal North on 14 July 1902, and had three sons, John Richard, Francis David, and Thomas James, the last of whom died as a Lieutenant in the South African Medical Corps in September 1940. John Shaul died at Boksburg, South Africa, on 14 September 1953, just 3 days after celebrating his 80th birthday. Shaul died at Boksburg, South Africa, on 14 September 14 1953, aged 80. He was buried in the Boksburg Cemetery.
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | Highland Light Infantry |
| Towse | Ernest Beachcroft Beckwith | Captain | TOWSE, ERNEST BEACHCROFT BECKWITH, Captain, was born 23 April 1864, and educated at Wellington College. He was gazetted to the Wiltshire Regiment 10 December 1885, and was posted to the Gordon Highlanders 2 January 1886. In 1892 Captain Towse married Gertrude, younger daughter of John Christie. He served with the Chitral Relief Force, 1805, including Malakand (Medal with clasp). He also served on the NW Frontier of India and at Tirah, 1897-98 (two clasps), and in South Africa, 1899-1900. In this campaign he was mentioned in Despatches twice, received the Queen's Medal with three clasps, and was dangerously wounded. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for the services described in the London Gazette, 6 July 1900: 'Ernest Beachcroft Beckwith Towse, Captain, Gordon Highlanders. Dates of Acts of Bravery: 11 December 1899; 30 April 1900. On the 11th December 1899, at the action of Magersfontein, Captain Towse was brought to notice by his commanding officer for his gallantry and devotion in assisting Colonel Downman, when mortally wounded, in the retirement, and endeavouring, when close up to the front of the firing-line, to carry Colonel Downman on his back; but finding this not possible, Captain Towse supported him till joined by Colour Sergeant Nelson and Lance Corporal Hodgson. On the 30th April, 1900, Captain Towse, with twelve men, took up a position on the top of Mount Thaba, far away from support. A force of about 150 Boers attempted to seize the same plateau, neither party appearing to see the other until they were but one hundred yards apart. Some of the Boers then got within forty yards of Captain Towse and his party, and called on him to surrender. He at once caused his men to open fire, and remained firing himself until severely wounded (both eyes shattered), thus succeeding in driving off the Boers. The gallantry of this officer in vigorously attacking the enemy (for he not only fired, but charged forward) saved the situation, notwithstanding the numerical superiority of the Boers'. Captain Towse was decorated by Queen Victoria, by whom in 1900 he was appointed Sergeant-at-Arms. In 1902 he was reappointed Sergeant-at-Arms by King 1 Edward, and in 1903 became one of the Honorary Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms. He was Sergeant-at-Arms in Ordinary to His Majesty King George V, and was appointed to the Honorary Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and served until 1939. Captain Towse was a Knight of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. Captain Towse became an expert typist, and when the European War broke out he went to the front to type letters for wounded soldiers, and was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch in June 1916. In 1915 he was promoted Staff Captain of Base Hospitals without pay and allowances. Chairman of the Grand Council of the Comrades of the Great War. In 1921 he accompanied Field Marshal Earl Haig to South Africa to form an Empire League of ex-servicemen. Towse received the KCVO. Sir Beachcroft Towse died at Goring-on-Thames, Berkshire, on 21 June 1948, at the age of 84. VC, KCVO, CBE, IGS 1895 (1) Tirah 1897-8, QSA (3) MR, RofK, Paard, 1914-15 Star, BWM, VM, Knight of Grace of the Order of St John, 1911 Coronation Medal 1911, 1937 Coronation Medal.
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | Gordon Highlanders |
| Traynor | William Bernard | Sergeant | TRAYNOR, WILLIAM BERNARD, Sergeant, was born on 31 December 1870, at 29 Moxon Street, Hull, the son of Francis Traynor, Flax Dresser, of County Monaghan, Ireland, and Rebecca Traynor, formerly of Hull. He was educated at Pryme Street (Roman Catholic) School, Hull, and entered the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment on 14 November 1888. He served for some years in India, and from 1899 to 1901 in South Africa, where he won the Victoria Cross when serving under Lieutenant G L Crossman, DSO, and Lieutenant Colonel W Fry, CB. Sergeant Traynor took part in the following operations in South Africa: Willow Grange (23 and 23 November 1899); Colenso; Spion Kop; Vaal Krantz; operations in Natal from 14 to 27 February, ending at Pieter's Hill; Northern Natal and Orange River Colony, including action at Laing's Nek, and East and West Transvaal; severely wounded 6 February 1901; arrived at hospital 15 February. For his services in this campaign Sergeant Traynor received also, besides the Victoria Cross, the Queen's Medal and clasps for Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing's Nek, Transvaal and Orange River Colony Clasp for 1901. Owing to his state of health he was unable to travel to London to receive his decoration from King Edward, therefore his Victoria Cross was presented to him on 2 July 1902, at York, by Colonel Edward Stevenson Browne, VC, who had won his own Victoria Cross in the Zulu War of 1879. Corporal Lintott, who so splendidly answered his comrade's call for assistance, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and promoted Sergeant by Lord Kitchener. Sergeant Traynor's VC was gazetted 17 September 1901: 'William Bernard Traynor, Sergeant, 2nd Battalion The Prince of Wales' Own West Yorkshire Regiment. During the night attack on Bothwell Camp, on the 6th February, 1901, Sergeant Traynor jumped out of a trench and ran out under an extremely heavy fire to the assistance of a wounded man. While running out he was severely wounded, and being unable to carry the man by himself, he called for assistance. Lance Corporal Lintott at once came to him, and between them they carried the wounded soldier into shelter. After this, although severely wounded, Sergeant Traynor remained in command of his section, and was most cheerful in encouraging his men till the attack failed'. The following is an extract from Orders by Major-General Smith, Dorrien: 'The GOC compliments most highly the steadiness of all Infantry Battalions in the outpost line during the heavy attack last night. The conduct of the West Yorkshires, on whom the brunt of the battle fell, was especially fine, and their heavy losses are to be deplored. The casualties were very heavy, owing to the Boers getting through two picquets, having followed up a mob of 200 stampeded cavalry horses. These two picquets were practically wiped out'. Sergeant Traynor's wound was so serious that he had to be invalided home in 1901, and discharged, medically unfit from the Service 29 September 1901, and was given the post of Barrack Warden at Dover on 8 September 1902, in which capacity he was mentioned for valuable services in connection with the Great War 2 September 1918. On 12 June, 1897, at Hunton, near Maidstone, Kent, Sergeant Traynor married Jane Elizabeth Martin, daughter of Elizabeth and James Martin. Their children were: Alice Kathleen, born 5 May, 1898 (deceased); Francis Bernard Redvers, born 7 December 1899 (deceased); Cecil Robert, born 4 May, 1903; WilKam Bothwell and Victor Charles, born 5 April, 1905, and Eileen May, born 20 July, 1910.
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | (Prince of Wales's Own) West Yorkshire Regiment |
| Turner | Richard Ernest William | Lieutenant | TURNER, RICHARD ERNEST WILLIAM Lieutenant, Royal Canadian Dragoons. The official notice in the London Gazette of 23 April, 1901, reads: 'Date of Act of Bravery: 7 November 1900. Later in the day, when the Boers again threatened seriously to capture the guns, Lieutenant Turner, although twice previously wounded, dismounted and deployed his men at close quarters, and drove off the Boers, thus saving the guns'. Richard Ernest William Turner was born 25 July, 1871, the eldest son of Richard Turner, MLC. He was educated at Quebec, Canada, and entered the Royal Canadian Dragoons, serving as a Lieutenant with that regiment in the South African War of 1899-1902. He won the Victoria Cross, together with Lieutenant Cockburn and Sergeant Holland, for actions of the most devoted heroism. He was three times mentioned in Despatches, given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel, and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: “Richard Ernest William Turner, Lieutenant, Royal Canadian Dragoons', and received the Queen's Medal with six clasps for his services in this campaign. In 1900 he married Harriet Augusta, eldest daughter of Horace George Gooday, of London. They had one son and one daughter. He was in command of the Canadian Brigade of Infantry in the European War in 1914; has been mentioned in Despatches, and created a CB and a KCMG (1917). Major-General Sir R E W Turner was recalled to England in 1917 and appointed General Officer commanding the Canadian Forces in Great Britain. VC, KCB (m), KCMG, DSO VRI, QSA (6), 1914 Star, BWM, VM & MID, 1902 Coronation, 1935 Jubilee, 1937 Coronation, 1953 Coronation, Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration, Canadian Forces Decoration, Russian Order of the White Eagle, Grand Cross, France Legion d'Honneur, France Croix de Guerre avec Palme.
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | Canada, 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles |
| Ward | Charles | Private | WARD, CHARLES, Private, was born 10 July 1877, at Leeds, the son of Mr George Ward. He was educated at Primrose Hill School, Leeds. On 29 April 1897, he enlisted in the 1st Battalion Yorkshire Light Infantry, and served with this battalion for two years, joining the 2nd Battalion at Wynberg, Cape Colony. Owing to the severe wound he received, he has only two clasps to his South African Medal, for Cape Colony and Free State. When he won the Victoria Cross his company and commanding officers were Captain Wittycombe and Lieutenant Colonel Barter, CB, with Major-General A H Paget, CVO, as Chief. On his discharge from the service the citizens of Leeds presented him with a testimonial and £600, together with a commemorative medal in gold by Mr William Owen. His Victoria Cross was gazetted 28 September 1900: 'Charles Ward, Private, 2nd Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Date of Act of Bravery: 26 June 1900. On the 26th June,1900, at Lindley, a picquet of the Yorkshire Light Infantry was surrounded on three sides by about 500 Boers at close quarters. The two officers were wounded, and all but six of the men were killed or wounded. Private Ward then volunteered to take a message asking for reinforcements to the signalling station, about 150 yards in the rear of the post. His offer was at first refused, owing to the practical certainty of his being shot; but on his insisting, he was allowed to go. He got across untouched through a storm of shots from each flank, and having delivered his message, he voluntarily retired from a place of absolute safety and recrossed the fire-swept ground to assure his commanding officer that the message had been sent. On this occasion he was severely wounded. But for this gallant action the post would certainly have been captured'.
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | (King's Own) Yorkshire Light Infantry |
| Wylly | Guy George Egerton | Lieutenant | WYLLY, GUY GEORGE EGERTON, Lieutenant, was born 17 February 1880, at Hobart, Tasmania, son of Major Edward Arthur Egerton Wylly (109th Regiment and Madras Staff Corps) and Henrietta Mary, daughter of Robert Clerk, (of West Holme, Somerset, and Sergeant-at-Arms to the House of Assembly, Hobart, Tasmania). He was educated at Hutchins' School, Tasmania, and at St Peter's College, Adelaide, South Australia, and became a Lieutenant in the Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen on 26 April, 1900, serving in the South African War; was twice wounded, once slightly and once dangerously; received the Queen's Medal with three clasps, and was awarded the Victoria Cross [London Gazette, 23 November 1900]: 'Guy G E Wylly, Lieutenant, Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen. On the 1st September 1900, near Warm Bad, Lieutenant Wylly was with the advanced scouts of a foraging party. They were passing through a narrow gorge, very rocky and thickly wooded, when the enemy in force suddenly opened fire at short range from hidden cover, wounding six out of the party of eight, including Lieutenant Wylly. That officer, seeing that one of his men was badly wounded in the leg, and that his horse was shot, went back to the man's assistance, made him take his (Lieutenant Wylly's) horse, and opened fire from behind a rock to cover the retreat of the others, at the imminent risk of being cut off himself. Colonel T E Hickman, DSO, considers that, the gallant conduct of Lieutenant Wylly saved Corporal Brown from being killed or captured, and that his subsequent action in firing to cover the retreat was 'instrumental in saving others of his men from death or capture''. He was gazetted Second Lieutenant, The Royal Berkshire Regiment , dated 19 May 1900; was transferred and gazetted Second Lieutenant, The South Lancashire Regiment, dated 5 November 1900; joined the 2nd Battalion The South Lancashire Regiment at Jubbulpore, India, 4 December 1901; was transferred to the Indian Army and gazetted to the 46th Punjabis 1 October 1902; transferred to the Queen's Own Corps of Guides 11 February 1904. He was ADC to Lord Kitchener, Commander in Chief in India, from December 1904 to September 1909; officiated as ADC to Lieutenant General Sir James Willcocks, Commanding the Northern Army, India, September 1915 to February 1916; was nominated to the Staff College, Quetta, in 1914, by Sir O'Moore Creagh, Commander-in-Chief in India. He was appointed Staff Captain, Mhow Cavalry Brigade, 11 November 1914; appointed Brigade Major, Mhow Cavalry Brigade, 15 September 1915; appointed GSO2, 4th Division, BEF, 20 June, 1913; appointed GSO2, 3rd Australian Division, 19 July, 1916; appointed GSO2, 1st Anzac Corps, in February 1917. Major Wylly was wounded at Authoille in August 1915; was mentioned in Despatches in June 1916, and June 1917. He had the Delhi Durbar Medal (1911).
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | Tasmania, 4th Imperial Bushmen Contingent |
| Young | Alexander | Sergeant Major | YOUNG, ALEXANDER, Sergeant-Major, was born on 27 January 1873, at Ballinana, Clarinbridge, County Galway, son of William and Annie Young, and younger brother of Joseph Young, JP, of Corrib House, Galway. He was educated at the Model School Galway. On 22 May, 1890, he joined the Queen's Bays at Renmore, where his superior horsemanship quickly brought him to notice. He served for a time in India, and became a Riding Instructor. In the Sudanese Campaign, under Kitchener, he first saw active service. He was for a time at Shorncliffe, and was transferred to the Cape Police as Instructor. Two other soldiers from Galway have described him in these days: Private James O'Heir, late of the 2nd Connaught Rangers, said of Lieutenant A Young, VC, who fell fighting in France, 'God bless his memory; he was a gallant hero, and may he and every brave soldier who fought for his King and country, and to whom the men who loved him have said their last 'Good-night', rest in peace! I knew him as a boy in Galway; I knew his father and mother, and all his relatives. I first saw him abroad in Egypt. He was a Rough-Riding Sergeant-Major of the 2nd Dragoon Guards, and the battalion in which I served was placed under him for a course of mounted infantry drill. He was a wonderful horseman, and had the reputation of being the best rough-rider in the British Army, and also in Egypt; and he was a brave and high-minded man, distinguished by the natural traits of generous, open-hearted good nature, which popularized him with everyone, of every station in life, and endeared him especially to the Irish people then in Egypt ... All the Irish soldiers in Egypt were very proud that one of their countrymen should hold the high position of first horseman, and at the same time maintain in so high and unblemished a manner the national reputation for bravery, generosity and the manly virtues which often distinguish the Irish character under the stress and trial of the soldier's life. Mr Young was a central figure in all Egyptian tournaments and public amusements, in which exhibitions of horsemanship took a foremost place. In every tournament in Cairo in which he competed Mr Young was the victor, and ringing Irish cheers always welcomed him to the arena, and enthusiastic outbursts cheered his prowess, and inspired his genius for daring feats of horsemanship to wonderful achievements which excelled anything ever beheld there on these great public occasions. He never knew defeat in any contests of horsemanship! ... Not only every Irishman, but every Britisher was proud of Mr Young on these occasions. To the Irish private soldier he was always very friendly, and particularly so to a Galwayman, who could always reckon on his kind-hearted friendship; and, with the generosity which was characteristic of him on every occasion, he contributed the money prizes won by him to the Soldiers' Mess. At Aldershot, in 1897, Mr Young performed wonderful feats of horsemanship before Queen Victoria, and later before King Edward. Mr Young's control over a horse was supreme. The wild horses lassoed in the Arabian desert he broke in and trained to become the most manageable of animals, in his own way. It was usual with the rough-rider of the period to train the wild horses with sand-bags and dummy men on their backs, but Mr Young would not use these things, mounting the horse's back and remaining there, despite every effort of the animal to throw him, or even to roll over or dislodge him. On such an occasion Mr Young declared his maxim: 'I will either break him in, or he will break my neck'. Mr Young left the 2nd Dragoon Guards in Egypt for the Headquarters in Canterbury, and from there to India, to teach horse-riding; and, after completing his period there, he returned to Canterbury in charge of the Riding School. There he got a severe kick from a horse, and shortly after he retired from the Army. He then came back to Galway, and resided here with his sister; but again, after about six months, he went out and joined the Cape Mounted Police, with the rank of Sergeant-Major. That was about two months before the outbreak of the South African War, when the authorities, knowing his extensive experience of the country, and of the Boers, put him in charge of a force over a large district. It was while in Basutoland he won the VC, by his gallantry in a skirmish in which he risked his life under very dangerous circumstances. He was the only Galwayman who won the VC in the South African War'. Also Private O'Heir said: 'Mr Young held the highest record as a rough-rider in the British Army: he competed for this honour with many men, including the best riders of the 17th and 21st Lancers and the 18th Hussars, and with Sergeant Bishop, a notorious rough-rider of the Egyptian Cavalry; but he beat all these very easily, and in no one did he find a close competitor, except in Mr Michael Kelly, a native of the town of Kilkenny. At Aldershot Mr Young won the Army Championship in a contest in which it was necessary to ride with a threepenny-piece on each stirrup-iron under the ball of the foot. Lieutenant Colonel Lambert, of Castle Lambert, was in command of the 2nd Dragoon Guard (Queen's Bays) while Mr Young was in the regiment in Egypt; and everyone there knew that he greatly regretted the loss of so gallant a soldier when Mr Young retired from that corps'. Stephen O'Heir, late of the Connaught Rangers, brother of the above, Said: 'I went through a course of Mounted Infantry Drill in 1896, as a Private in the Connaught Rangers, attached to Mr Young's regiment at Cairo. When I was put under him in the school he told me that I should very soon be nearly as good a rider as himself if I could claim to be a Galwayman ... I always admired his easy and graceful seat on horseback. No man seemed to be able to handle a horse like him. A dozen Arab ponies were brought in wild from the desert, and I watched him breaking them in. One threw itself on the ground, and Mr Young still sat on him till he sprang to his feet, the rider on his back ... I last saw him in South Africa 1901, at a place called Burgess Dorp, and then he went down to Capetown, and I saw him no more until one day I beheld him in Galway ... It was a great pleasure to Galwaymen in the Army to see him the victor. No matter who contested them with him, the laurels still remained on the brow of Mr Young ... In the Bengal Presidency it has always been a pleasure to Galwaymen to read of his daring feats of horsemanship, which were always so excellent of achievement. His name was famous, and he was spoken of as ' The Terror'. Alexander Young was at Williamstown when the South African War broke out, and he 'was with Gatacre on that tragic night when, against the advice of his staff, he tried to outflank the Boers by a movement between the hills. Young was wounded in the leg, but he managed to ride back to hospital. He was within a few yards of Captain Montmorency, VC, when that gallant officer fell mortally wounded in the attack on Schooman's Copje'. For his services in this campaign he received the Queen's Medal with clasps; the King's Medal with clasps, and was awarded the Victoria Cross [London Gazette, 18 November 1901]: 'Alexander Young, Sergeant-Major, Cape Police. Towards the close of the action at Ruiter's Kraal on the 13th August 1901, Sergeant-Major Young, with a handful of men, rushed some kopjes which were being held by Commandant Erasmus and about twenty Boers. On reaching these kopjes, the enemy were seen galloping back to another kopje held by the Boers. Sergeant-Major Young then galloped on some 50 yards ahead of his party, and, closing with the enemy, shot one of them and captured Commandant Erasmus, the latter firing at him three times at point-blank range before being taken prisoner'. After the war Sergeant Major Young returned to his position with the Cape Mounted Police, and left them once more in 1906, for service in the native rebellion, when he was wounded for the second time, and received a medal. A soldier's letter says: 'Lieutenant Young did for the Germans in a week what they had failed to do for themselves in three years. The Her | Cape Police |
| Younger | David Reginald | Captain | YOUNGER, DAVID REGINALD, Captain, was born 17 March 1871, and served as an officer in the Duke of Edinburgh's Edinburgh Artillery. He was then commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the Gordon Highlanders on 23 December 1893. He took part in the fighting at Chitral and on the Punjab Frontier in 1895-1897 and 1898, and was present at the assault and capture of the Dargai Heights in October 1897. For his services in these campaigns he received the Medal and three clasps, and after his death, in accordance with the regulations approved by HM King Edward VII on 8 August 1902, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, which was delivered to his relatives. [London Gazette, 28 September 1900]: '(The late) David Reginald Younger, Captain, The Gordon Highlanders. In recognition of the conspicuous bravery displayed by him on the same occasion (11 July, 1900), would have been recommended to Her Majesty for the Victoria Cross had he survived'. A later notice in the London Gazette of 8 August 1902, reads: 'Date of Act of Bravery: 11 July, 1900. This officer, during the action near Krugersdorp on the 11th July, 1900, volunteered for and took out the party which successfully dragged a Royal Artillery waggon under cover of a small kopje, though exposed to a very heavy and accurate fire at only 850 yards' range. He also accompanied the second party of volunteers who went out to try and bring in one of the guns. During the afternoon he was mortally wounded, dying shortly afterwards. His cool and gallant conduct was the admiration of all who witnessed it, and, had Captain Younger lived, the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief in South Africa would have recommended him for the high award of the Victoria Cross, at the same time as Captain W E Gordon, of the same regiment'.
Source: VC recipients (VC and DSO book) | Gordon Highlanders |
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