George Ravenhill
Private, 2nd Battalion. Royal Scots Fusiliers
- Register No.
- 1023 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion. Royal Scots Fusiliers all Royal Scots Fusiliers VCs →
- Date of action
- 15 December 1899 on this day → all of 1899 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second Boer War
- London Gazette
- 4th June 1901 on this day → all of 1901 →
- Born
- 21st February 1872 at Birmingham
- Died
- 14th April 1921 at Birmingham
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
Private Ravenhill left his sheltered position, several times on the 15th December, 1899 at Colenso, under extremely heavy fire, to assist the officers and drivers who were trying to withdraw several guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, when the personnel serving them had been killed, wounded or driven back by infantry fire from point-blank range. He helped limber up one of the guns that were saved
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
RAVENHILL, George. (reg No. 1023).
Private. 2nd Battalion. Royal Scots Fusiliers.
London Gazetted on 4th June 1901.
Born on 21st February 1872 at Birmingham.
Died on 14th April 1921 at Birmingham.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads:. Private Ravenhill left his sheltered position, several times on the 15th December, 1899 at Colenso, under extremely heavy fire, to assist the officers and drivers who were trying to withdraw several guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, when the personnel serving them had been killed, wounded or driven back by infantry fire from point-blank range. He helped limber up one of the guns that were saved .
Additional information:. The Victoria Cross was presented to Private Ravenhill by the Duke of York (King George V) at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa on 4th June 1901. He was the son of Mr T Ravenhill, Warren Road, Washwood. He enlisted in the Royal Scots Fusiliers in May 1889, in the 1st Battalion. He served in the 1st Battalion, for almost six years, in India, and with the 2nd Battalion in the Boer War (1899-1902) for two years. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM), for action at Frederickstad, South Africa but on winning the Victoria Cross, this was cancelled. For the Relief of Ladysmith, the Transvaal and Cape Colony he received the Queen's and King's Medals with all three clasps.
Additional information
The Victoria Cross was presented to Private Ravenhill by the Duke of York (King George V) at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa on 4th June 1901. He was the son of Mr T Ravenhill, Warren Road, Washwood. He enlisted in the Royal Scots Fusiliers in May 1889, in the 1st Battalion. He served in the 1st Battalion, for almost six years, in India, and with the 2nd Battalion in the Boer War (1899-1902) for two years. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM), for action at Frederickstad, South Africa but on winning the Victoria Cross, this was cancelled. For the Relief of Ladysmith, the Transvaal and Cape Colony he received the Queen's and King's Medals with all three clasps.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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 George Ravenhill by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.