George Onions
Lance-Corporal, 1st Battalion. Devonshire Regiment
- Register No.
- 947 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lance-Corporal (register: Lance Corporal) all Lance-Corporals →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion. Devonshire Regiment all Devonshire Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 22 August 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 14th December 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 2nd March 1883 and Bilston, Staffordshire
- Died
- 2nd April 1944 at Birmingham
- Memorial / grave
- unknown
Digest of citation
Having been sent out, with another man, to contact the Battalion on the right flank on 22nd August 1918 at Achiet-lePetit, France, Lance-Corporal Onions observed the enemy advancing in great numbers. At once, realising the opportunity, he placed himself and his comrade on the flank of the advancing enemy, and when the target was most favourable opened with rapid fire against them. At 100 yards, the enemy line wavered and several hands were seen to be raised in surrender. With the assistance of his comrade, Lance-Corporal Onions took approximately 200 prisoners, returning with them to his company commander
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
ONIONS, George. (reg No. 947).
Lance-Corporal. 1st Battalion. Devonshire Regiment.
London Gazetted on 14th December 1918.
Born on 2nd March 1883 and Bilston, Staffordshire.
Died on 2nd April 1944 at Birmingham.
Memorial unknown.
Digest of Citation reads: Having been sent out, with another man, to contact the Battalion on the right flank on 22nd August 1918 at Achiet-lePetit, France, Lance-Corporal Onions observed the enemy advancing in great numbers. At once, realising the opportunity, he placed himself and his comrade on the flank of the advancing enemy, and when the target was most favourable opened with rapid fire against them. At 100 yards, the enemy line wavered and several hands were seen to be raised in surrender. With the assistance of his comrade, Lance-Corporal Onions took approximately 200 prisoners, returning with them to his company commander.
Additional information:. Major George Onions VC saw previous service with the 3rd Hussars Reserve Regiment in the Irish Rebellion in Dublin, Easter 1916. Also with the 3rd King's Own Hussars and 1st Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment in Belgium and France in 1915-1918.
Additional information
Major George Onions VC saw previous service with the 3rd Hussars Reserve Regiment in the Irish Rebellion in Dublin, Easter 1916. Also with the 3rd King's Own Hussars and 1st Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment in Belgium and France in 1915-1918.
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Alf recorded the memorial as: unknown
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