Christopher Bushell
Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding 7th (S ) Battalion. The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment (S. R.)
- Register No.
- 157 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant Colonel all Lieutenant-Colonels →
- Unit
- Commanding 7th (S ) Battalion. The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment (S. R.) (register: Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment) all Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 23 March 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 3rd May 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 31st October 1888 at Neston, Cheshire
- Died
- 8th August 1918 South and Morlencourt, Somme
- Memorial / grave
- grave in Querrieu British Cemetery, France
Digest of citation
On 23rd March 1918 west of St Quentin's Canal and North of Tergnier, France, Lieutenant Colonel Bushell personally led C Company of his battalion who were co-operating with an allied regiment in a counter-attack. In the course of this attack he was severely wounded in their head, but continued to carry on, walking in front of both English and allied troops, encouraging them and visiting every portion of the lines in the face of terrific machine-gun and rifle fire. He refused to go to the rear until he had to be removed to the dressing station in a fainting condition
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
BUSHELL, Christopher. (reg No. 157)
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding 7th (S ) Battalion. The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment (S. R.)
London Gazetted on 3rd May 1918.
Born on 31st October 1888 at Neston, Cheshire.
Died on 8th August 1918 South and Morlencourt, Somme.
Memorial at grave in Querrieu British Cemetery, France.
Digest of Citation reads: On 23rd March 1918 west of St Quentin's Canal and North of Tergnier, France, Lieutenant Colonel Bushell personally led C Company of his battalion who were co-operating with an allied regiment in a counter-attack. In the course of this attack he was severely wounded in their head, but continued to carry on, walking in front of both English and allied troops, encouraging them and visiting every portion of the lines in the face of terrific machine-gun and rifle fire. He refused to go to the rear until he had to be removed to the dressing station in a fainting condition.
Additional information: Lieutenant Colonel Bushell also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
Additional information
Lieutenant Colonel Bushell also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: grave in Querrieu British Cemetery, France
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.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour Christopher Bushell by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.