George Prowse
Chief Petty Officer, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
- Register No.
- 1008 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Chief Petty Officer all Chief Petty Officers →
- Unit
- Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (register: Royal Naval Division) all Royal Naval Division VCs →
- Date of action
- 2 September 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 30th October 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- in 1886 at either Bath or Paulton, Somerset. (records are
- Died
- in action on 27th September 1918 near Arleux, France
- Memorial / grave
- on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France
Digest of citation
During an advance on the 2nd September 1918, Chief Petty Officer Prowse and a portion of his company were disorganised by enemy machine-gun fire from a strong point. Collecting the available men together, with great coolness and bravery he led them against a machine-gun, captured it along with 28 prisoners and five machine guns. Later he established a strategic position on high ground, after leading a patrol against a strong enemy opposition. On another occasion he, single-handed, attacked an ammunition limber, killing the three men accompanying it and capturing the limber. Two days later, he covered the advance of his company with a Lewis gun section, later locating a concrete machine-gun emplacement with two machine-guns which were holding up the advance of the battalion to the right. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he rushed forward, aided by a small party, which attacked and captured these posts, killing six of the enemy and taking 13 prisoners as well as capturing the two machine guns. He was the only survivor of this attack, but by their daring and heroic action had enabled the battalion to the right to advance without being machine-gunned from the village. His magnificent example and leadership inspired them all
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
PROWSE, George. (reg No. 1008).
Chief Petty Officer. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. * London Gazetted on 30th October 1918.
Born in 1886 at either Bath or Paulton, Somerset. (records are unsure).
Killed in action on 27th September 1918 near Arleux, France.
Memorial on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France.
Digest of Citation reads: During an advance on the 2nd September 1918, Chief Petty Officer Prowse and a portion of his company were disorganised by enemy machine-gun fire from a strong point. Collecting the available men together, with great coolness and bravery he led them against a machine-gun, captured it along with 28 prisoners and five machine guns. Later he established a strategic position on high ground, after leading a patrol against a strong enemy opposition. On another occasion he, single-handed, attacked an ammunition limber, killing the three men accompanying it and capturing the limber. Two days later, he covered the advance of his company with a Lewis gun section, later locating a concrete machine-gun emplacement with two machine-guns which were holding up the advance of the battalion to the right. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he rushed forward, aided by a small party, which attacked and captured these posts, killing six of the enemy and taking 13 prisoners as well as capturing the two machine guns. He was the only survivor of this attack, but by their daring and heroic action had enabled the battalion to the right to advance without being machine-gunned from the village. His magnificent example and leadership inspired them all.
* Drake Battalion, Royal Naval Division.
Additional information:. No.W2/424, Chief Petty Officer , George Prowse DCM, prior to his joining Navy, had worked as a collier at the Mountain Colliery at Gorseinon, South Wales. He was purported to be a good football player, being a member of the Gorseinon Football Club He distinguished himself many times fighting in the European War, was wounded twice and had been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Additional information
No.W2/424, Chief Petty Officer , George Prowse DCM, prior to his joining Navy, had worked as a collier at the Mountain Colliery at Gorseinon, South Wales. He was purported to be a good football player, being a member of the Gorseinon Football Club He distinguished himself many times fighting in the European War, was wounded twice and had been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
* Drake Battalion, Royal Naval Division.
unsure).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, 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.
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