Victoria Cross Heroes

24/03/2025

https://www.fold3.com/memorial/664293700/edmund-de-wind

24/02/2025

https://www.fold3.com/memorial/664290774/edwin-essery-swales
Death- Feb 23, 1945-Age: 30 years

Burial
LEOPOLDSBURG WAR CEMETERY VIII. C. 5. Belgium

Edwin Essery Swales
Son of The Late Harry E. and Olive M. Swales, of Durban Natal, South Africa.

Operation

Pforzheim- as Master Bomber. 380 aircraft and one film unit aircraft, 12 losses. Bombing took place from 8000' and was especially accurate. 1825 tons of bombs were dropped in just 22 minutes. More than 17000 people were killed in the resultant fire storm- probably the third highest death toll of the war. A post-war survey estimated that 83% of the built up area was destroyed. Capt E Swales of South Africa won the last Bomber Command VC of the war on this raid, awarded posthumously

Reason for Loss

Very badly damaged by night-fighters over the target but the pilot skilfully flew the aircraft to the Allied lines and ordered his crew to bale out. The aircraft hit high tension cables before the pilot himself was able to make good his escape and crashed near Valenciennes. The other crew members all fell inside the Allied lines and were unharmed

Memorial for Edwin Essery Swales at Fold3 - IN PROUD MEMORY OF THE NATAL MOUNTED RIFLES FROM COMRADES AND S. A. AIR FORC

24/02/2025

https://www.fold3.com/memorial/664290672/douglas-reynolds

Death- Feb 23, 1916-Age: 34 years
Duchess of Westminster’s Red Cross Hospital at Le Touquet

Burial
ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY I. A. 20. France

Major Reynolds was seriously wounded on the Aisne in September of 1914 by a shrapnel bullet which could not be removed from his chest, and in November was awarded the French Croix de Chevalier de Legion d’Honneur. He married in March of 1915, and his son, Peter, was born at the end of January in 1916. Major Reynolds had been knocked out by a gas shell a month earlier and so never saw his son - during his recovery he contracted septicaemia, dying at the Duchess of Westminster’s Red Cross Hospital at Le Touquet. His son went on to serve with the Irish Guards and was killed during the evacuation of Dunkirk. Major Reynolds is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery at Pas-de-Calais in France.

Douglas, from Bristol, was 33 years old.

Memorial for Douglas Reynolds at Fold3 - Army

07/02/2025

Death of Bretby VC hero BRETBY war hero Major General Frank Crowther Roberts, the last of the old Worcestershire Regiment's Victoria Cross holders has died at his home. He was 90. General Roberts had lived in Swadlincote, then at Bretby since retiring from the Army in December 1939. He was sent to France with the 1st Battalion of the regiment in 1914, as a Second Lieutenant, and, after three months, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order when he led a raid on an enemy trench. In 1917 he won the Military Cross during the Battle of Ypres, shortly after being promoted to Major in the 23rd Infantry Brigade.
https://www.fold3.com/memorial/664288746/frank-crowther-roberts/

In the winter of 1917 General Roberts was given temporary command of the 1st Battalion, becoming its youngest-ever commander. His Victoria Cross was won at the Somme in 1918 when he recaptured a position occupied by the Germans with a bloody counter-attack at Pargny. Later he served in Egypt, the Far East, and India with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and after his final promotion to the rank of Major-General in 1939 he assumed command of the 48th (South Midland) Division of the Territorial Army. Among his many decorations were on OBE and seven mentions in dispatches.

23/01/2025

20/01/2025

John Vincent Holland
Feb 27, 1975-Age: 86 years
St John's Park Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

https://www.fold3.com/memorial/664286767/john-vincent-holland/

17/11/2024

02/11/2024

Roland Boys Bradford
https://www.fold3.com/memorial/664278206/roland-boys-bradford

British Army Brigadier General, World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award from British King George V in June 1917 at Hyde Park in London, England for his actions as a temporary lieutenant colonel commanding the 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, British Army on October 1, 1916 at Eaucourt l'Abbaye, France during World War I.

The 4th and youngest son of a coal mine manager, he joined the 5th (Territorial Force) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (DLI), British Army, in 1910 and two years later was commissioned as a regular officer in the 2nd Battalion DLI. In September 1914, following the outbreak of World War I, he was sent to the Western Front in France and saw action in the First Battle of the Marne. He was promoted through the ranks quickly, becoming a temporary lieutenant colonel in August 1916. In September 1916 he led his unit in the Battle of the Somme, followed by an attack on the German trenches at Eaucourt l'Abbaye, for which he won the Victoria Cross for gallantry.

In November 1917 he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and given command of the 186th Infantry Brigade. Less than 30 days later, he was killed at the Battle of Cambrai, near Canal du Nord in France at the age of 25. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and good leadership in attack, whereby he saved the situation on the right flank of his Brigade and of the Division. Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford's Battalion was in support. A leading Battalion having suffered very severe casualties, and the Commander wounded, its flank became dangerously exposed at close quarters to the enemy. Raked by machine-gun fire, the situation of the Battalion was critical.

At the request of the wounded Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford asked permission to command the exposed Battalion in addition to his own. Permission granted, he at once proceeded to the foremost lines. By his fearless energy under fire of all description, and his skilful leadership of the two Battalions, regardless of all danger, he succeeded in rallying the attack, captured and defended the objective, and so secured the flank
" In addition to the Victoria Cross, he also received the Military Cross, the 1914 Star and Bar, the British War Medal (1914-20), and the Victory Medal (1914-19). His Victoria Cross and other medals are on display at the Durham Light Infantry Museum, located in the Durham Art Gallery in the City of Durham, Durham, England

Bio by: William Bjornstad

Memorial for Roland Boys Bradford at Fold3 - DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI

02/11/2024

George Nicholson Bradford
https://www.fold3.com/memorial/664278204/george-nicholson-bradford/stories

World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award posthumously from British King George V (presented to his mother) on April 3, 1919 at Buckingham Palace in London, England for his actions as a lieutenant commander in the British Royal Navy aboard the Mersey ferry HMS Iris II on 22/23 April 1918 at Zeebrugge, Belgium during World War I.

The son of a coal mine manager, he was born in Witton Park, Darlington, County Durham and educated at Darlington Grammar School, the Royal Navy School at Eltham, London, and Eastman's School in Southsea, England. In 1902 he joined the HMS Britannia as a cadet and joined the battleship HMS Vanguard in March 1910.

From 1912 to the beginning of World War I he served on destroyers and rose through the ranks of the British Royal Navy throughout the war. In April 1918 the British formulated a plan to block to German U-boats that were based at the heavily fortified inland port of Ostend, near Zeebrugge, Belgium by sinking old British ships in the canal's shallow waters, to prevent the U-boats from entering the sea and wreaking havoc on British shipping. During the raid, he was killed in action at the age of 31. His body washed ashore three days later at Blankenberge, Belgium and he was given a military burial by the Germans.

His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous gallantry at Zeebrugge on the night of the 22nd-23rd April, 1918. This Officer was in command of the Naval Storming Parties embarked in Iris II. When Iris II proceeded alongside the Mole great difficulty was experienced in placing the parapet anchors owing to the motion of the ship. An attempt was made to land by the scaling ladders before the ship was secured. Lieutenant Claude E. K. Hawkings (late Erin) managed to, get one ladder in position and actually reached the parapet, the ladder being crushed to pieces just as he stepped off it. This very gallant young officer was last seen defending himself with his revolver. He was killed on the parapet. Though securing the ship was not part of his duties, Lieut.-Commander Bradford climbed up the derrick, which carried a large parapet anchor and was rigged out over the port side; during this climb the ship was surging up and down and the derrick crashing on the Mole. Waiting his opportunity he jumped with the parapet anchor on to the Mole and placed it in position. Immediately after hooking on the parapet anchor Lieut.-Commander Bradford was riddled with bullets from machine guns and fell into the sea between the Mole and the ship. Attempts to recover his body failed. Lieut.-Commander Bradfords action was one of absolute self-sacrifice; without a moments hesitation he went to certain death, recognising that in such action lay the only possible chance of securing Iris II and enabling her storming parties to land."

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 Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the British Imperial War Museum in London, England. His brother Brigadier General Roland Boys Bradford, was also a Victoria Cross recipient who was killed at the Battle of Cambrai, near Canal du Nord in France. They were the only two brothers to receive the Victoria Cross during the course of World War I.

George has a second brother Second Lieutenant James Barker Bradford, who also fell in World War 1 and was a recipient of the Military Cross. Between the three brothers the awards of two VC's, two MC's and one DSO is a family record that is unequalled in the Empire.

Bio by: William Bjornstad

Memorial for George Nicholson Bradford at Fold3 - DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI

01/10/2024

Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 1918, Lance Sergeant Thomas Patrick Neely V.C., M.M., 8th Battalion, the King’s Own Loyal Lancaster Regiment, was killed in action during the fighting near Cambrai in France.
He was his parents’ only son and had four younger sisters. After being educated at St. Francis de Sale’s school in Walton he worked at J. Bibby & Sons oil cake mill, employed not long after it had suffered a catastrophic explosion in 1911, killing thirty-three workers outright and causing what were described as “ghastly injuries” to a hundred more.
Lance Sergeant Neely, being of small stature, enlisted with the bantam battalion of the Cheshire Regiment in September of 1914, just after turning seventeen years old. He later transferred to the King’s Own Loyal Lancaster Regiment and was wounded in action twice while serving in France. In March of 1918 he was awarded the Military Medal and given fourteen days extra leave. His captain had suggested that he be commissioned, but he was persuaded by other officers that he was of more value serving in the ranks.
After arriving at Flesquieres on the 27th of September in 1918, his actions won him the award of the Victoria Cross. The citation reads in part: “…his company was held up during the advance of heavy machine gun fire…Corporal Neeley, realizing the seriousness of the situation, at once under point blank fire dashed out with two men and rushed the positions, disposing of the garrisons and capturing three machine guns…on two successive occasions he rushed concrete strong points. The splendid initiative and fighting spirit displayed by this gallant non-commissioned officer in dealing with a series of posts, in some cases single handed, was largely responsible for the taking and clearing of a heavy fortified and strongly garrisoned position, and enabled his company to advance 3000 yards along the Hindenburg support line.”
Three days later, after being promoted to the rank of lance sergeant, he was killed in action at Rumilly-en-Cambresis, near Cambrai. He lies buried in the Masnieres British Cemetery at Marcoing, four miles from Cambrai - on his headstone are the words, “Greater love hath no man”. He is commemorated on the J. Bibby and Sons Ltd. memorial for the two hundred and fifteen employees who did not return from the Great War. It is now located in the premises of the Cargill Brocklebank Mill and Refinery in Bootle, Merseyside.
Thomas, from Poulton-cum-Seacombe, Wallasey, in Cheshire, was 21 years old.

10/07/2024

Last known image of Mick Mannock, courtesy of Robin Vansemmortier Collection.

Edward Corringham "Mick" Mannock VC, DSO & Two Bars, MC & Bar (24 May 1887 – 26 July 1918) was a British flying ace in the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during the First World War. Mannock was a pioneer of fighter aircraft tactics in aerial warfare. At the time of his death he had amassed 61 aerial victories, making him the fifth highest scoring pilot of the war.

Major Edward Mannock had recently been appointed to command 85 Squadron On the 10th July 1918.

He got terrible news , his Friend James McCudden had been killed in a flying accident!

On the morning of July 9, McCudden who was in ENGLAND bid farewell to his sister Mary in London. “I’d like you to look after these for me, sis,” he said, handing her a package that contained his decorations. Later that afternoon while he was taking off from Auxi-le-Château to join his new command, his S.E.5a stalled during a steep climbing turn, perhaps due to a faulty carburetor, and he crashed into a nearby wood. He was found unconscious near the wreck, suffering from head injuries. Rushed to a field hospital, 23-year-old James McCudden died that evening!

The news of his friends demise sent "Mick " into a morbid flux & he took the loss very personally...

A killing spree ensued! bend on revenge for the death of his Friend he shot down six German aircraft between 14 and 26 July and would follow them all the way down to the ground making curtain they were dead by shooting up the crash site!

One of the observers left an account of the action. Private Edward Naulls (2nd Battalion Essex Regiment) was in the trenches near Pacault Wood.

"I was with D Company, 2nd Battalion of the Essex Regiment, on the Lys sector of the front. Stand-down was at 5 a.m. Shortly afterwards a 'Jerry' [aircraft] appeared over no-man's-land. A little while later two British fighter 'planes arrived and engaged the Jerry in combat…. A few bursts from their guns sent it crashing in flames towards Merville, near Lestrem, at La Croix Marmuse. “

His account continues….

"… Mannock dived to within 40ft of the ground. I think this is a fair estimate because the trees in Pacault Wood were not more than 30ft high and Mannock's 'plane cleared them by a few feet. Inglis circled at about 100ft. Suddenly, there was a lot of rifle fire from the Jerry trenches and then a machine-gun opened up. I saw tracers enter Mannock's engine on the port side. In a few seconds a tiny bluish-white flame spread, enveloping the engine and cockpit, then a cloud of smoke and flame.

"With the propeller still turning the 'plane went down in a long glide and crashed in flames beyond Pacault Wood near La Pierre au Beure. A great column of black smoke shot up. Inglis started to climb away but his engine stalled —I distinctly heard it splutter twice before it stopped — and he forced-landed behind the front line near St Floris."

RIP Sir.

Colour by RJM

05/07/2024

Belgian-born Lieutenant-Colonel Adrian Carton de Wiart, ‘the unkillable soldier’, was awarded the Victoria Cross during fierce fighting at La Boisselle in 1916 during the Battle of the Somme.

The battle had started the day before and, on that day alone, the British Army suffered more than 57,000 casualties, making it the bloodiest day in British military history.

Carton de Wiart had been on the Western Front since early 1915 where he commanded three British Army infantry battalions and a brigade.

Having previously lost an eye and a hand in battle, Carton de Wiart, as commanding officer, was reportedly seen by his men pulling the pins of grenades out with his teeth and hurling them with his one good arm.

When three other commanding officers were killed during the battle for La Boiselle, Carton de Wiart took charge of all units fighting in the village and led from the front, holding off enemy counterattacks.

However, Lieutenant-General Sir Adrian Paul Ghislain Carton de Wiart, VC, KBE, CB, CMG, DSO’s heroism extended far beyond the action for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

During his service during the Boer, First and Second World Wars he was shot in the face, losing his left eye, and through the skull, hip, leg, ankle and ear. In the First World War he was severely wounded on eight occasions and mentioned in despatches six times.

During the Second World War, Carton de Wiart served in the Polish and Norwegian Campaigns, Northern Ireland and the British military mission to Yugoslavia. He reportedly tunnelled out of a Prisoner of War camp in Italy, survived two plane crashes, and tore off his own fingers when a doctor declined to amputate them.

Carton de Wiart eventually settled in County Cork, Ireland, and died on 5 June 1963, aged 83.

At the Arboretum you will find this pavior amongst the 145 commemorative paving stones that form a permanent memorial to overseas-born First World War recipients of the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest award for valour, in recognition of their bravery and devotion to duty fighting alongside the British forces.