Alec George Horwood
Lieutenant, 1st/6th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) attached to 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment
- Register No.
- 598 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 1st/6th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) attached to 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment all Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) VCs →
- Date of action
- 18–20 January 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 30th March, 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Born
- 6th January, 1914 at Deptford, London
- Died
- 20th January, 1944 at Kyauchaw, Burma. (died of wounds)
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- the Rangoon Memorial
Digest of citation
On 18th January, 1944 at Kyauchaw, Burma, Lieutenant Horwood accompanied a company into action with his forward Mortar observation post. Throughout the day he was in an exposed position and under intense fire, but he came back at night with most valuable information about the enemy. On 19 January he moved forward and established another observation post, directing accurate mortar fire in support of two attacks, and also carrying out personal reconnaissance, deliberately drawing the enemy fire so that their position could be definitely located. On 20th January he volunteered to lead the attack and while doing so was mortally wounded
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
HORWOOD, Alec George. (reg No. 598).
Lieutenant. 1st/6th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) attached to 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment.
London Gazetted on 30th March, 1944.
Born on 6th January, 1914 at Deptford, London.
Died on 20th January, 1944 at Kyauchaw, Burma. (died of wounds).
Memorial at the Rangoon Memorial.
Digest of Citation reads: On 18th January, 1944 at Kyauchaw, Burma, Lieutenant Horwood accompanied a company into action with his forward Mortar observation post. Throughout the day he was in an exposed position and under intense fire, but he came back at night with most valuable information about the enemy. On 19 January he moved forward and established another observation post, directing accurate mortar fire in support of two attacks, and also carrying out personal reconnaissance, deliberately drawing the enemy fire so that their position could be definitely located. On 20th January he volunteered to lead the attack and while doing so was mortally wounded.
Additional information:. Lieutenant Horwood also held the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM).
Additional information
Lieutenant Horwood also held the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: the Rangoon Memorial
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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