Description of A's

AARON, Arthur Louis (Reg No 1)
Acting Flight Sergeant 218 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
London Gazetted on 5th November 1943.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Leeds City Museum.
Born on 5th March 1922 at Leeds, Yorkshire..
Died on 13th August 1943 at Bone, Algeria..
Memorials at Bone War Cemetery, Algeria and St Mary's Church, Bexwell, Norfolk.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 12 August 1943 during a raid on Turin, Italy, Flight Sergeant Aaron's bomber was attacked by a night fighter and was very badly damaged. The navigator was killed, other members of the crew were wounded, Flight Sergeant Aaron's jaw was broken and part of his face was torn away. He had also been hit in his lung and his right arm was useless. Despite his terrible injuries he managed to level the aircraft out at 3,000 feet and then the bomb-aimer took control until he rallied his failing strength enough to direct the difficult landing operation. He died nine hours after the aircraft touched down.
Additional information: Flight Sergeant Aaron also held The Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM).

ABDUL HAFIZ (Reg. No. 2)
Jemadar* 9th Jat Infantry, Indian Army.
London Gazetted on 27th July 1944
Born on 1st July 1918 at Kalanaur Village in the Rohtak Diistrict, Punjab..
Died on 6th April 1944 at Waken Hill, near Imphal, Assam, India.
Memorial on grave at Imphal Indian War Cemetery, Assam, India.
.Digest of Citation reads:
On 6 April 1944 north of Imphal, India, Jemadar Abdul Hafiz was ordered to attack, with his platoon, a prominent position held by the enemy, the only approach to which was across a bare slope and then up a very steep cliff. The Jemadar led the assault, killing several of the enemy himself and then pressed on regardless of machine-gun fire from another feature. He received two wounds, the second of which was fatal, but he had succeeded in routing an enemy vastly superior in numbers and had captured a most important position.
*Lieutenant.

ABLETT, Alfred (Reg. No. 3)
Private* 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards.
London Gazetted on 24th February 1857
VC's Custodian is the Guards Regimental Head-Quarters.
Born on 3rd August 1830 at Weybread, Suffolk.
Died on 12th March 1897 at Weybread, Suffolk.
Memorial on grave at Weybread Churchyard, Suffolk.
.Digest of Citation reads:
On 2nd September 1855 during the siege of Sebastopol , in the Crimea, a burning shell fell into a trench containing two cases of ammunition. Private Ablett, realising the danger to which all in the trench were exposed, seized the shell in his hands and threw it over the parapet, where it immediately exploded on touching the ground, but not one man suffered any injuries.
* Attained rank of Sergeant.
Additional Information:. This gallant deed took place before the VC was inaugurate in 1856. He also held the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) Sergeant Ablett became an Inspector of Police at Millwall Docks, London.

ACKROYD Harold, (Reg. No. 4)
Captain Royal Army Medical Corps, attached 6th Battn., Royal Berkshire Regiment*
London Gazetted on 6th. September 1917
Born on 18th July 1877 at Southport, Lancashire.
Died on 11th August 1917 at Glencorse Wood, Ypres, Belgium.(Killed in action.)
Memorials at Birr Cross Roads, Belgium, The War Memorial at Royston, Hertfordshire, Guy's Hospital and the RAMC College, at Millbank, London.
Digest of Citation reads:
Between 31 July and 1 August 1917 at Ypres, Belgium, Captain Ackroyd worked continuously, utterly regardless of danger, tending the wounded and saving the lives of officers and men in the front line. In so doing he had to move across the open, under heavy machine-gun, rifle and shell fire. On one occasion he carried a wounded officer to a place of safety under heavy fire, and on another went some way in front of the advanced line bringing in a wounded man under continuous sniping. He was killed in action ten days later.
* Princess Charlotte of Wales's.
Additional information:. Captain Ackroyd also held the The Military Cross (MC).

ACTON, Abraham (Reg. No. 5)
Private 2nd Battn The Border Regiment.
VC Medal's Custodian is The Beacon, Whitehaven.
London Gazetted on 18th February 1915
VC Medal's Custodian is The Beacon, Whitehaven, Cumberland.
Born on 17th December 1892 at Whitehaven, Cumberland.
Died on 16th May 1915 at Festubert, France.
Memorial at Le Touret Memorial, France..
Digest of Citation reads::
On 21 December 1914 at Rouge Bancs, France, Private Acton and Private James Smith (Reg. No. 1163) went out from their trench and rescued a wounded man who had been lying exposed against the enemy's trenches for 75 hours. On the same day they again left their trench under heavy fire to bring in another wounded man. They were under fire for the 60 minutes it took to convey the wounded man to safety.

ADAMS James William (Reg. No.6)
The Reverend Bengal Ecclesiastical Department, Indian Army.
London Gazetted on 26th August 1881
Born on 24th November 1839 Cork, Ireland.
Died on 20th October 1903 at Ashwell, Rutland.
Memorial at Stow Bardolph Church, Norfolk.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 11 December 1879 at Killa Kazi, (Afghan War), some men of the 9th Lancers had fallen, with their horses, into a wide, deep ditch and the enemy were close upon them. The Reverend J>W>Adams rushed into the water, dragged the horses off the men, upon whom they were lying, and extricated them. All this time he was under heavy fire and up to his waste in water. Some of the enemy were within a few yards of him and, having let his own horse go in order to render more effectual assistance, Mr Adams had to escape on foot.
Additional information:. The Reverend Adams became Hon. Chaplain to Queen Victoria in 1900 and the Chaplain to King Edward VII in 1901
For the above action the Rev. Adams was recommended for the VC by Lord Roberts. The recommendation was considered impossible as the medal was for the Royal Navy and the Army only. (There was no Royal Air Force at this time.)However, in the London Gazette, dated 24th August 1881it was announced that "The Queen had been pleased by Royal Warrant to direct that the Victoria Cross should be conferred on the members of The Indian Ecclesiastical Establishments who might be qualified, etc., etc., etc., and accordingly to signify Her intention to confer this high distinction on the Rev. J. W. ADAMS, whose claim had been submitted for her approval, on account of conspicuous bravery in Afghanistan etc...."
He was awarded the Victoria Cross and it was announced in the London Gazette dated, 26th August 1881.
Apart from the VC he also held The Bronze Star (for the Kabul to Kandahar march), The Afghan Medal with four clasps, (Kandahur Kabul, Charasia and Pewar).

ADAMS Robert Bellew (Later Sir Robert)(Reg No7)
BT/Lieutenant Colonel Staff Corps and Corps of Guides, Indian Army.
London Gazetted on 9th November 1897
Born on 26th July 1856 at Murree, Punjab
Died on 13 February 1928.at Inverness, Scotland.
Memorial noot known. His remains were cremated in Glasgow.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 17 August 1897 at Nawa Kili, Upper Swat, India, (Tirah Campaign) Lieutenant Colonel Adams, with two other officers, Lieut. Fincastle(Reg.No.401),Lieut. McLean (Reg. No.804) and five men of the Guides, went under a heavy and close fire, to the rescue of a lieutent of the Lancashire Fusiliers who was lying disabled by a bullet wound and surrounded by enemy swordsmen. While the wounded officer was being brought under cover he was unfortunately killed by a bullet. One of the officers of the rescue party was mortally wounded and Colonel Adams' horse and three others were shot.
Additional information: Major General Sir Robert Adams was also a Knight Commander of the Bath (KCB).
He also had the King Edward Coronation Medal.

ADDISON Henry (Reg No. 8)
Private 43rd Regiment *
London Gazetted on 2nd September 1859
VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Green Jackets Museum.
Born in February 1821 at Bardwell, Suffolk.
Died on 18th June 1887 at Bardwell, Suffolk.
Memorial on grave at Bardwell Churchyard, Suffolk..
* The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 2 January 1859 near Kurrereah, India, Private Addison defended Lieutenant Osborne, a Political agent, against a large force and saved his life when he had fallen on the ground wounded. The Private received two dangerous wounds and lost a leg in this gallant service.

ADDISON William Robert Fountains (Reg No.9)
The Reverend T/Chaplain of the Forces, 4th Class, Army Chaplain's Dept.
London Gazetted on 26th September 1916
Born on 18th September 1883 at Cranbrook, Kent.
Died on 7th January 1962 at St.Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex..
Memorial on grave at Brookwood Cemetery, Woking, Surrey.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 9 April 1916 at Sanna-i-Yat, Mesopotamia, The Reverend William Anderson carried a wounded man to the cover of a trench and helped several others to the same cover after binding up their wounds under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. In addition to these unaided efforts, his splendid example and utter disregard of personal danger, encouraged the stretcher bearers to go forward under heavy fire and collect the wounded..
.Additional Information::Order of St. George (Russia); Senior Chaplain to the Forces, Borden 1934-38 and 1939-42; Deputy Assistant Chaplain General 1942.

ADLAM Tom Edwin (Reg No. 10)
Second Lieutenant 7th Battn. The Bedfordshire Regiment.
London Gazetted on 25 November 1916
V.C. Medal's Custodian is the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regimental Museum.
Born on 21st October 1893 at Salisbury, Wiltshire.
Died on 28th May 1975 at Hayling Island, Hampshire
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 27 September 1916 at Thiepval, France, a portion of a village which had defied capture had to be taken at all costs and Second lieutenant Adlam rushed from shell-hole to shell-hole under very heavy fire collecting men for a sudden rush. At this stage he was wounded in the leg, but in spite of his wound he led the rush, captured the position and killed the occupants. Throughout the day he continued to lead his men and on the following day, although wounded again he still led and encouraged them. His magnificent example and behaviour produced far-reaching results.
Additional Information:Lieut. Colonel Adlam also held the Italian Silver Medal for Military Valour. He also served in the Second World War with the Royal Engineers (Movement Control Section.)

AGANSING RAI (Reg No. 11)
Naik (later Honorary Lieutenant) 2nd Battn. 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army.
London Gazetted on 5th October 1944.
Born in 1920 at Aapswarah (Village), Okhaldunga District, Nepal.
Died in 2000 at Katmandu, Nepal.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 27 September 1944 at Bishenpur, Burma, Naik Agansing Rai led his section in an attack on one of two posts which had been taken by the enemy and were now threatening our communications. Under withering fire the naik and his party charged a machine-gun, he himself killing one of the crew. The first position having been taken, he then led a dash on a a machine-gun firing from the jungle, where he killed three of the crew, his men accounting for the rest. He subsequently tackled an isolated bunker single-handed, killing all four occupants The enemy were now so demoralised that they fled and the second post was recaptured.
Additional information: Lieutenant Agansing Rai also held the Military Medal (M:M)
Reported in the Daily Mirror (Cutting, no date.) "A Ghurka awarded the Victoria Cross for showing complete contempt for danger as he fought the Japanese in 1944 has died aged 81.
Corporal Agansing Rai, who killed seven enemy soldiers during the battle in Burma, was one of 10 Ghurkas to win the honour in World War II. He died at home in Katmandu. The Mirror last year successfully campaigned for Ghurka troops pensions to be doubled.

AGAR Augustine William Shelton (Reg No 12)
Lieutenant (later Commodore) Royal Navy.
London Gazetted on 22 August 1919
VC Medal's Custodian is the Imperial War Museum.
Born on 4th January 1890 at Kandy, Ceylon.
Died on 30th December 1968 at Alton, Hampshire.
Memorial on grave at Alton Cemetery, Alton, Hampshire*.
One other Decorations: Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Digest of Citation reads:
On 17 June 1919 at Kronstadt, Russia, Lieutenant Agar took HM Coastal Motor Boat 4 into the bay, penetrated a destroyer screen and was closing a larger warship further inshore when CMB4, whose hull had been damaged by gunfire, broke down. She had to be taken alongside a breakwater to do repairs and for 20 minutes was in full view of the enemy. The attack was then resumed and a Russian Cruiser was sunk, after which Lieutenant Agar retired to the safety of the open bay under heavy fire.
* Anyone visiting this grave may like to take the opportunity of seeing the grave of "Sweet Fanny Adams," the murdered child of the famous saying "I've got Sweet Fanny Adams" or "Sweet FA" also in Alton Cemetery.
Additional Information:Commodore Agar was President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich from 1943-45; He was the author of Footprints in the Sea, (Autobiography), Showing the Flag and Baltic Episode.

AIKMAN Frederick Robertson. (Reg. No.13)
Lieutenant(later Colonel) 4th Bengal Native Infantry
London Gazetted on 3rd September 1858
Born on 6th February 1828 at Ross, Broomelton, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Died on 5th October 1888 at Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Memorial on grave at Kensal Green Cemetery, London.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 1 March 1858 near Amethi, India, Lieutenant Aikman, commanding an advanced picket with 100 of his men, was informed of the proximity of a body of 500 rebel infantry and 200 horse and guns. The lieutenant attacked and utterly routed this large enemy force, cutting up more than 100 of them, capturing two guns and driving the survivors over the River Goomtee. This feat was carried out over broken ground and partly under flanking fire from an adjoining fort. Lieutenant Aikm himself recieved a severe sabre cut in the face.
Additional Information: . Aikman was a Member of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-arms, 1865-1888

AITKEN, Robert Hope Moncrieff (Reg No. 14)
Lieutenant (later Colonel) 13th Bengal Native Infantry.
London Gazetted on 16th April 1863
VC Medal's Custodian is the National Army M<useum.
Born on 14th April 1828 at Cupar, Fife, Scotland.
Died on 18th Sept 1887 at St Andrews, Scotland
Memorials at Cupar and St Andrews, Scotland.
Digest of Citation reads:
From 30 June to 22 November 1857 at Lucknow, India, Lieutenant Aitken performed various acts of gallantry during the defence of the Residency. On one occasion when the enemy had set fire to the Bhoosa Stock in the garden, the lieutenant, and other officers, cut down all the tents in order to stop the fire spreading to the powder magazine which was there. This was done close to the enemy's loopholes under the bright light of the flames. Other exploits included saving the Baillie Guard Gate, taking the enemy guns and capturing the Fureed Buksh Palace.
Additional information: He also held the Companion of (the Order of) the Bath (CB)..

ALBRECHT, Herman. (Reg. No. 15)
Trooper Imperial Light Horse (Natal)
London Gazetted on 8th August 1902.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Museum of Military History, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Born in 1876 at Burghersdorp-Aliwal, North Cape, South Africa.
Died on 6th January 1900 at Ladysmith, Natal.
Trooper Albrecht is buried in a communal grave, with other dead of the Imperial light Horse, on Wagon Hill, Ladysmith, Natal.
Citation reads
On 6 January 1900 on Wagon Hill, (Ladysmith) South Africa, Lieutenant R.J.T Digby-Jones.* of the Royal Engineers and Trooper Albrecht led the force which re-occupied the top of the hill at a critical moment, just as the three foremost attacking Boers reached it. The leader was shot by the lieutenant and the two others by Trooper Albrecht.
*(See Reg. No.657)
Additional information:. Herman Albrecht, an orphan, was raised at Burghersdorp-Atwal, by a Mr Shorten. Before joining the Light Horse, at the beginning of the Boer War, he was employed as a horse breaker. He had the Queen's South African Medal (Ladysmith.)[See Custodian]

ALEXANDER, Ernest Wright (Reg. No. 16)
Major (later Maj. General) 119th Battery Royal Field Artillery.
London Gazetted on 18th February 1915.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Artillery Museum.
Born on 2nd October 1870 at Liverpool, Lancashire.
Died on 25th August 1934 at Kingsbridge, Devon.
Cremated at Putney Vale Cemetery. London. His Ashes are in the Family grave.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 24 August 1914 at Elouges, Belgium, when the flank guard was attacked by a German corps, Major Alexander handled his battery against overwhelming odds with such conspicuous success that all his guns were saved notwithstanding that they had to be withdrawn by hand by himself and volunteers led by a Captain of the 9th Lancers (see F.O. Grenfell Reg. No. 492). This enabled the retirement of the 5th Division to be carried out without serious loss. Subsequently, Major Alexander rescued a wounded man under heavy fire.
Additional Information: He was also decorated with the Companion of (the Order of) the Bath. (CB), the Companion of St Michael and St George (CMG) and the Croix de Guerre (Belgium)

ALEXANDER John (Reg No.17)
Private 90th Regiment (Cameronians [ Scottish Rifles]).
London Gazetted on 24th February 1857
VC Medal's Custodian is the National War Museum of Scotland.
Born on (Date unknown) at Mullijnger, West Meath, Ireland.
Died on the 24th September 1857 at Lucknow, India.(killed in action)
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads:
On the 18 June 1855 at Sebastopol, Crimea, after the attack on the Redan, Private Alexander went out from the trenches under very heavy fire and brought in several wounded men. Also on 6 September when he was with a working party in the most advanced trench he went out under heavy fire and helped to bring in a captain who was severely wounded.
Further information: Private Alexander never lived to receive his Victoria Cross he was killed during the relief of the Rendary at Lucknow on the 24th September 1857.

ALGIE, Wallace Lloyd (Reg. No.18)
Lieutenant 20th Battalion 1st Central Ontario Regiment, The Canadian Expeditionary Force.
London Gazetted on 21st January 1919.
Born on 10th June 1891 at Alton, Ontario, Canada.
Died on 11th October 1918 at Cambrai, France. (Killed in action).
Memorial at Niagara Cemetery, Iwuy, France.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 11th October 1918 north east of Cambrai, France, Lieutenant Algie was with attacking troops which came under heavy enfilade machine-gun fire from a neighbouring village. Rushing forward with nine volunteers he shot the crew of an enemy machine-gun and then turned the gun on the enemy, enabling his party to reach the village. He rushed another machine-gun, killing the crew and capturing an officer and 10 men, thereby clearing the end of the village. He then went back for reinforcements but was killed while leading them forward.

ALI HAIDAR (Reg. No.19)
Sepoy (later Havildar) 13th Frontier Force Rifles Indian Army
London Gazetted on 3rd July 1945
Born on 21st August 1913 at Shahu Village, Kohat, M.W. Frontier, India.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 9 April 1945 near Fusignano, Italy, during the crossing of the Senio River, only Sepoy Ali Haidar and the two other men of his section managed to get across under heavy machine-gun fire. Then while the other two covered him, the sepoy attacked the nearest strong point and, in spite of being wounded, put it out of action. In attacking a second strong point he was again severely wounded but managed to crawl closer, throw a grenade and charge the post; two of the enemy were wounded, the remaining two surrendered. The rest of the company was then able to cross the river and establish a bridgehead.

ALLEN William Barnsley (Reg.No.20)
Captain Royal Army Medical Corps attached to 246th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery .
VC Medal's Custodian is Army Medical Services Museum, Aldershot. (Keogh Barracks), Hampshire.
London Gazetted on 26th October1916
Born on: 8th June 1892 at Sheffield, Yorkshire.
Died on 27th October 1933 at Bracklesham, Near Chichester, Sussex.
Memorial on grave at Earnley Cemetery, Bracklesham Bay, Sussex.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 3 September 1916, near Mesnil, France, when gun detachments were unloading high explosive ammunition, the enemy suddenly began to shell the battery position. The first shell fell on one of the limbers, exploded the ammunition and caused several casualties. Captain Allen at once ran across under heavy shell fire and started attending to the wounded. He himself was hit four times by pieces of shell, but he went coolly on with his work until the last man had been attended to and removed. He then went to tend a wounded officer and only then reported his own wounds.
Additional Information: Major Allen also had been awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) as well as the Military Cross (MC) and Bar. He died at the age of 41.

ALLEN, William Wilson. (Reg No 21.) (or ALLAN)
Corporal, 2nd Battalion, The 24th Regiment. (Later South Wales Borderers)
London Gazetted on 2nd May 1879
VC Medal's Custodian is the South Wales Borderers Museum, Brecon, Wales.
Born around 1844 (Date not known) in Newcastle on Tyne..
Died on 12th March 1890 at Monmouth.
Memorial on grave at Monmouth Cemetery.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 22nd and 23rd January 1879 at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, Corporal Allan and another man (See F. Hitch Reg. No.574) kept communication with the hospital open, despite being severely wounded. Their determined conduct enabled the patients to be withdrawn from the hospital, and when incapacitated by their wounds from fighting, they continued, as soon as their wounds were dressed, to serve out ammunition to their comrades during the night.
Additional information: William Allan later became a Sergeant Musketry Instructor. His Victoria Cross and campaign medal were bought by a Mr Philip Wilkins on the 21st of June 1906..

ALLMAND Michael (Reg.No.22)
Act/Captain Indian Armoured Corps and 6th Gurkha Rifles Indian Army.
London Gazetted on 26th October 1944.
VC Medal's Custodians are the Royal Gurkha Museum, Winchester.
Born on 22nd August 1923 at London,
Died on 24th June 1944 at Pin Hmi, Burma (Killed in acton)
Memorial on grave in Tuakkyan War Cemetery, Burma.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 11 June 1944 in Burma, Captain Allmand's platoon came under heavy fire when attacking the Pin Hmi Bridge, and on being halted by casualties, he charged on alone, killing three of the enemy. Inspired by his example his surviving men followed him and captured the position. Two days later, owing to heavy casualties among the officers, Captain Allmand took command of the company and successfully led his men to seize a ridge of high ground. Again on 23 June in the final assault on on the railway bridge at Mogaung, he went forward alone, but in charging an enemy machine-gun nest, was mortally wounded.

AMEY William, (Reg. No.23)
Lance Corporal, 1/8th Battalion The Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
London Gazetted on 31st January 1919.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Warwickshire Regimental Museum.
Born on 5th March 1881 at Duddeston, Birmingham.
Died on 28th May 1940 at Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 4 November 1918 at Landrecies, France, when many hostile machine-gun nests were missed by the leading troops owing to a fog, Lance Corporal Amey led his section against a machine=gun nest under heavy fire and drove the garrison into a neighbouring farm, finally capturing 50 prisoners and several m,achine-guns. Later, single handed and under heavy fire he attacked a machine-gun post in a farmhouse, killed two of the garrison and drove the remainder into a cellar until assistance arrived. Subsequently he rushed a strongly-held post, capturing 20 more prisoners.
Additional information:. He was also the recipient of the Military Medal.(MM).

ANDERSON,, Charles.(Reg. No.24)
Private. 2nd Queen's Dragoon Guards. (Queen's Bays.)
London Gazetted on 11th November 1862
VC Medal's Custodian is the Queen's Dragoon Guards.
Born on (Date unknown) in 1826 in Liverpool.
Died on 19th April 1899 at Seaham Harbour in Sunderland.
Memorial on grave at Seaham Cemetery, Sunderland..
Digest of Citation reads:
On October 8 1858 near Sundeela, India a group of mutineers (30 to 40 sepoys) suddenly opened fire on the officer commandiing the regiment and his party, and then rushed upon them with drawn swords. In the fighting which ensued the colonel was cut down, and Private Anderson and a trumpeter (See Reg No. 881. T. MONAGHAN) immediately came to his rescue, shooting one of the assailants and driving at others with their swords, thus enabling the colonel to rise and defend himself again, until the enemy were despatched.
Additional information: He enlisted in the Queen's Bays and served in the Indian Mutiny. His Victoria Cross was on display at the United Services Museum (c1920) He spent some of his later years at Waterford.

ANDERSON, Charles Groves Wright. (Reg. No. 25)
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding the 2nd/19th Battalion Australian Military Forces (NSW)
London Gazetted on 13th February 1942
VC Medal's Custodian is the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.
Born on 12th February 1897 at Capetown, South Africa.
Died on 11th November 1988 at Redhill, Canberra, Australia.
Memorial at Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.
Digest of Citation reads:
During the period 18/22 January 1942 near the Muar River, Malaya, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson was in command of a small force which destroyed 10 enemy tanks and, when later they were cut off, he led his force through enemy lines to a depth of 15 miles, being attacked by air and ground forces all the way. He was again surrounded and suffered heavy casualties, and although he attempted to fight his way back through the eight miles of enemy-occupied territory, this proved impossible, and he had to destroy his equipment and work his way around the enemy. Throughout the fighting he protected his wounded and refused to leave them.
Additional information.: He was also the recipient of the Military Cross (MC). He had served in the European War (WW1) with the King's African Rifles and was elected a Member of Parliament for Hume in New South Wales for two periods, one from 1949 to 1951 the other from 1955 to 1961.

ANDERSON, Eric. (Reg. No. 26)
Private 5th Battalion The East Yorkshire Regiment.
London Gazetted on 29th July 1943
VC Medal's Custodian is the Prince of Wales Regimental Museum.
Born on 15th September 1915 at Fagley, Eccleshall, Bradford, Yorkshiire.
Died on: 6th April 1943 (killed in action) Akarit, Tunisia.
Memorials at Sfax War Cemetery; St John's United Reformed Church, Bradford and Beverly Minster
Digest of Citation reads:
On 6 April 1943 on the Wadi Akarit, Tunisia, when a company of The East Yorkshire Regiment had to withdraw temporarily behind the crest of a hill, Private Anderson, a stretcher bearer, went forward alone through heavy fire to rescue the wounded. Three times he brought in wounded comrades, and was rendering first-aid to a fourth when he was mortally wounded.
Additional information: In a letter to Mrs Anderson, his mother, his officer Captain R.F.Clark, the Medical Officer of the 5th Battalion wrote, explaining how her son had gone out repeatedly to rescue his wounded comrades and on the final occasion had been killed, He went on to say ‘ he was buried on the ridge, which saw so much of his fine work, beneath the sands of the desert we know so well'.

ANDERSON, John Thompson McKellar (Reg. No 27)
A/Major 8th Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)
London Gazetted on 29th June 1943
VC Medal's Custodian is the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum.
Born on 12th January 1918 at Hampstead, London.
Died on 5th October 1943 at Termoli, Italy. (Killed in action.)
Memorial on grave at Sangro River Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery in Italy.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 23 April 1943 at Longstop Hill, Tunisia, Major Anderson assumed command of the battalion when his commanding officer was killed and although hr himself was wounded in the leg he went on and eventually occupied the objective. His force was reduced to about 44 officers and men, but 200 prisoners were taken and he had personally led successful attacks on several machine-gun posts and mortars.
Additional information: He was awarded the DSO, as a Captain, for action at Hunt's Gap on the 3rd March 1943. It was whilst in action at Termoli, Italy that he was killed in action on the 5th October 1943.

ANDERSON, William (Reg. No. 28)
Corporal 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.(Princess of Wales Own)
London Gazetted on 22nd May 1915
VC Medal's Custodian is the Green Howard's Museum.
Born on in November 1885 at Dallas, Elgin in Morayshire, Scotland.
Died on the 13th March 1915 at Neuve Chappelle, France. (Killed in action)
Memorial on Le Touret Memorial, France.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 12 March 1915 at Neuve Chappelle, France, Corporal Anderson led three men with bombs against a alarge party of the enemy who had entered our trenches, and by his prompt and determined action save what might have other wise become a serious situation. Corporal Anderson first threw his own bombs, then those in possession of the other men, (all of whom had been wounded) amongst the Germans, after which he opened rapid fire upon them with great effect, notwithstanding that he was at the time quite alone.

ANDERSON, William Herbert. (Reg. No. 29)
A/Lieutenant Colonel C.O. of 12th (S) Battalion The Highland Light Infantry. .
London Gazetted on 3rd May 1918
Born on the 29th December 1881 at Glasgow, Scotland.
Died on the 25th March 1918 near Maricourt, France. (Killed in action).
Memorial at grave in Peronne Road Cemetery in France.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 25 March 1918 at Bois Favieres, near Maricourt, France, when the enemy attack had penetrated a wood on the right of his line and there was great danger that the flank of the whole position would be turned. Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson gathered together the remainder of his two companies, counter-attacked and drove the Germans from the wood, capturing 12 machine-guns and 70 prisoners. Later, the same day, Colonel Anderson led another counter-attack which resulted in the enemy being driven from his position, but the colonel Died on fighting within the enemy's lines.
More information available.

ANDREW, Leslie Wilton. (Reg. No. 30)
Corporal. 2nd Battalion Wellington Infantry Regiment NZEF.
London Gazetted on 6th September 1917.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Army Museum, Waiouru, New Zealand.
Born on 23rd March 1897 at Ashurst, New Zealand.
Died on 9th January 1969 at Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Memorial at HQ., Dunedin RSA, New Zealand.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 31 July 1917 at La Bassee Ville, France, Corporal Andrew was in charge of a small party in an attack on the enemy's position. His objective was a machine-gun post which had been located in an isolated building, but on leading his men forward he encountered another machine-gun post which was holding up the advance of another company. He immediately attacked it , capturing the gun and killing several of the crew. He then continued with his attack on the original objective and finally captured the post, killing a number of the enemy and putting the remainder to flight..
Additional information: He was the son of William Jeffrey and Frances Hannah Andrew of Ahurst, New Zealand, later to be the Headmaster of Wanganui East School. Leslie Wilton Andrew was educated at Wanganui Boys' High School and Collegiate School, Wanganui. He was employed for a while in a lawyer's office before going to work for the Railway Department in Wellington NZ.
On the 25th October 1915 he joined the Wellington Infantry Regiment and was sent to Egypt the following June 1916. In August 1916 he was sent to France where he won the VC. The day after the action where he won the medal, August the 1st, 1917 he was promoted to Sergeant. He saw action on the Somme, Messines and La Basse Ville. During this time he was wounded twice and buried in debris, after high explosive attacks, three times.
During the Second World War he was in command, as a Brigadier, of a New Zealand Brigade in Crete.

ANDREWS, Henry John, (Reg. No. 32)
Temporary Captain Indian Medical Service
London Gazetted on 9th September 1920.
Born in 1871 at London.
Died on 22nd October 1919 at Khajeri Post, Waziristan, India.
Memorial at Delhi Memorial, India.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 22 October 1919 at Waziristan, North-West India, Captain Andrews, the senior medical officer in charge of the Khajeri Post, heard that a convoy had been attacked in the vicinity and that men had been wounded.
He at once went out under heavy fire and established an Aid Post under condition which afforded some protection to the wounded but none to himself. He was subsequently compelled to move the Aid Post, but continued to attend the wounded. Finally when a van was available, he collected the wounded, under fire, and put them into it. He was killed whilst stepping into the van on the completion of his task.
Additional information: He also held the MBE. He was an officer in the Salvation Army for over thirty years. The Salvation Army Commissioner, who was in charge in India when Captain Andrews arrived said that the Salvation Army owed him a debt of gratitude for the wonderful medical work that he had carried out on members of the Army's Bombay Staff when he'd arrived thirty years previously.
He pioneered work with only a pen-knife and razor as surgical tools at Nagercoil, his surgery being a converted bathroom and from these humble beginnings he created a creditable hospital. After leaving Nagercoil he went to Anand in Guzerat to do further medical work. It was after this that he qualified with Honours. Hr returned to India and went to Moradabad where he created another medical centre which came to be one of the finest hospitals in India. The Military Command in India held Captain Andrew's Hospital to be a model one , especially its administration and the handling of Indian troops.

ANGUS, William (Reg. No. 33)
Lance-Corporal 8th Battalion The Highland Light Infantry.
London Gazetted on 29th June 1915
VC Medal's Custodian is the National War Museum Of Scotland.
Born on 28th February 1888 at Armadale, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland.
Died on 14th June 1959 at Carluke, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Memorial at Wilton Cemetery, Carluke, Scotland.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 12th June 1915 at Givenchy, France, Lance Corporal Angus left his trench under very heavy bomb and rifle fire and rescued a wounded officer who was lying within a few yards of the enemy's position. The lance-corporal had no chance of escaping the enemy's fire when undertaking this gallant deed, and in effecting the rescue he received about 40 wounds, some of them being very serious.

ANNAND, Richard Wallace (Reg. No. 34)
Second Lieutenant (later Captaain) 2nd Battalion The Durham Light Infantry.
London Gazetted on 23rd August 1940
Born on 5th November 1915 at South Shields, County Durham.
Died on 24th December 2004.
Attended VC dedication at Westminster Abbey on 14th May 20003
Digest of Citation reads:
On 15th/16th May, 1940, on the South side of the River Dyle, Belgium, Second Lieutenant Annand in command of the platoon astride a bridge that had been blown. During the night an attack by the enemy had been beaten off but the following morning they again launched a savage attack pushing forward a bridging party. Lieutenant Annand attacked this party. Ammunition having been consumed Lieutenant Annand moved forward inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy with hand-grenades, all the time under machine gun and mortar fire. On reaching the top of the bridge he inflicted at least 20 casualties and causing the enemy party to withdraw by his excellent use of hand grenades. He was wounded and went to rejoin his platoon. After having his wound dressed, he made another attack on the enemy that same evening, causing heavy casualties once more using grenades.. Later, when the position became hopeless and the platoon was ordered to withdraw, Lieutenant Annand discovered that his batman, Private Joseph Hunter was wounded. He returned at once to the former position and brought the man back in a wheelbarrow before collapsing from exhaustion and loss of blood. Unfortunately Hunter was captured and died of his wounds in a Dutch Hospital.

ANSON The Hon. Augustus Henry Archibald. (Reg. No. 35)
Captain 84TH Regiment (later The York and Lancaster Regiment.)
London Gazetted on 24th December 1858
VC Medal's Custodian is the Shugborough Estate.
Born on 5th March 1835 at Pembroke, Wales.
Died on 17th December 1877 at Cannes, France.
Memorial at Cimitiere Protestant du Grand Jas, Cannes, France and Lichfield Cathedral.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 28th September 1857 at Bolandshahr, India, the 9th Light Dragoons had charged through the town and were reforming on the Serai, when the enemy tried to close the entrance by drawing their carts across it. Captain Anson, taking a lance, dashed out to the gate way up and knocked the drivers off their cop's carts. Owing to wound in his left hand, he could not stop his horse and rode it into the middle of the enemy who fired on him. At Lucknow, on 16th November 1857 he again showed great gallantry when he entered with a storming party on the gates being burst open; his horse was killed and he was slightly wounded.

ARCHIBALD, Adam (Reg. No. 36)
Sapper 218th Field Company Royal Engineers.
London Gazetted on 6th January 1919
VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Engineers Museum.
Born on 14th January 1879 at Leith, Midlothian, Scotland.
Died on 10th March 1957 at Leith, Midlothian, Scotland.
No memorial recorded.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 4th November 1918 near Ors, France, Sapper Archibald was with a party building a floating bridge across the canal. He was foremost in the work under a very heavy artillery barrage and machine-gun fire. The latter was directed at him from a few yards distance while he was working on the cork floats. Nevertheless he persevered in this task and his example and efforts were such that the bridge which was essential to the success of the operations was a very quickly completed. Immediately afterwards Sapper Archibald collapsed from gas poisoning.

ARTHUR*, Thomas. (Reg No 37)]
Gunner Royal Regiment of Artillery.
London Gazetted on 24th February 1857
VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Artillery Museum.
Born on in 1835 at Abbotsham, Bideford Devon.
Died on 2nd March 1902 at Savernake, Wiltshire.
Memorial at Cadley Churchyard, Wiltshire.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 7th June 1855 in the Crimea, Gunner Arthur was in charge of the magazine in one of the left advanced batteries of the right attack, when the Quarries were taken. On his own initiative he carried barrels of infantry ammunition for the 7th Fusiliers several times during the evening, across the open. He volunteers for and formed one of the spiking party of Artillery at the assault on the Redan on 18th June 1855 and on numerous occasions left the trenches to bring in wounded officers and men.
Additional information: He fought in the China war in 1860 and held the Médaille Militaire (France).
*Real name McARTHUR

ASHFORD, Thomas Elsdon, (Reg No. 38)
Private The Royal Fusiliers
London Gazetted on 7th October 1881
VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Fusiliers Museum.
.Born in 1859 at Newmarket, Suffolk.
Died on 21st February 1913 at Whitwick, Leicestershire.
Memorial at Whitwick Cemetery, Leicestershire.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 16th August 1880 at Deh Khoja, near Kandahar, (Afghan war) Private Ashford assisted a Lieutenant * in rescuing and carrying for a distance of over 200 yards under the fire of the enemy, a wounded soldier who had taken shelter in a blockhouse. Several times they were compelled to rest but they persevered and finally brought the wounded man to a place of safety. (* see also CHASE, W St.L Reg. No.. 205 )

ATKINSON, Alfred (Reg. No. 39)
Sergeant 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.
London Gazetted on 8th August 1902
VC Medal's Custodian is theGreen Howards Museum
Born on 6th February 1874 at Leeds, Yorkshire.
Died on 21st February 1900 near Paardeberg, South Africa. (Died on of wounds)
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 18th February 1900 during the Battle of Paardeberg, South Africa, Sergeant Atkinson went out seven times under heavy and close fire to obtain water for the wounded. At the 7th attempt he was wounded in the head and Died on a few days afterwards.

AUTEN, Harold (Reg. No. 40)
Lieutenant Royal Naval Reserve.
London Gazetted on 14th September 1918
VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Naval Museum.
Born on 22nd August 1891 at Leatherhead, Surrey.
Died on 3rd October 1964 at Bushkill, Pennsylvania, USA.
Memorial an unmarked grave in Sandhills cemetery, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, USA.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 30th July 1918 in the English Channel, Lieutenant Auten was in command of HMS Stock Force (one of the 'Q' or 'mystery' ships) when she was torpedoed by a U-boat and very badly damaged. The 'Panic party' took to the boats and the U-boat surfaced half a mile away, but after 15 minutes the 'panic party' began to row back, followed by the U-boat When it lay about 300 yards from Stock Force the guns opened fire, doing tremendous damage to the submarine which sank in a very short time. Stock Force finally sank about four hours later. Lieutenant Auten and her crew being taken off by a torpedo boat
Additional Information: Eventually promoted to Commander.

AXFORD, Thomas Leslie. (Reg. No. 41)
Lance-Corporal 16th Battalion Australian Imperial Force (Sth Aust & West Aust.)
London Gazetted on 17th August 1918.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.
Born on 18th June 1894 at Carletone,Carriston , South Australia.
Died on 11th October 1983 in an aircraft flying between Dubai and Hongkong.
Memorial at Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 4th July 1918 during the attack at Vaire and Hamel Woods, France when the advance of the adjoining platoon was being delayed in uncut wire and machine-gun fire, and his company commander had become a casualty, Lance-Corporal Axford charged and threw bombs amongst the enemy gun crews. He then jumped into the trench, and charging with his bayonet, killed 10 of the enemy and took six prisoners. He threw the machine -gun over the parapet and the delayed platoon was able to advance. He then rejoined his own platoon and fought with it during the remainder of their operations

AYLMER, Fenton John. (Reg. No. 42) [later Sir Fenton]
Captain Corps of Royal Engineers.
London Gazetted on 12th July 1892.
VC Medal's Custodian is the RoyalEngineers Museum.
Born on 5th April 1862 at Hastings, Sussex the line
Died on the 3rd September 1935 at Wimbledon, Surrey.
Memorials at Killcock Church, County Kildare, Ireland. (cremated at Golders Green, London)
Digest of Citation reads:
On 2nd December 1891 during the assault on Nilt fort , India, (during the Hunza campaign) Captain Aylmer, with the storming party, forced open the inner gate with gun-cotton which he had placed an ignited, and although severely wounded, fired 19 shots with his revolver, killing several of the enemy, and remained fighting until, fainting from loss of blood, he was carried out of action
Additional information. He was also a KCB. He fought in the European War (WW1) 1914-18 and was the Colonel-Commandant of the Royal Engineers from 1922 to 1935. (When he Died.)