Godfrey Meynell
Captain, Corps of Guides, 12th Frontier Force Regiment, Indian Army
- Register No.
- 863 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain all Captains →
- Unit
- Corps of Guides, 12th Frontier Force Regiment, Indian Army all 12th Frontier Force Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 29 September 1935 on this day → all of 1935 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second Mohmand Campaign
- London Gazette
- 24th December 1935 on this day → all of 1935 →
- Born
- 30th May 1904 at Meynell Langley, Derbyshire
- Died
- 29th September, 1935 at Mohmand, North West Frontier,
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Guides Cemetery, Mardan, India. Also in Kirk Langley Church and the Sanctum Crypt in St Luke's Church, Chelsea, London
Digest of citation
In the final phase of an attack on 29th September, 1935 on the North West Frontier, India, Captain Meynell, seeking information regarding the forward troops, found them engaged against an enemy vastly superior in numbers. Taking immediate command, Captain Meynell, with two Lewis guns and about 30 men maintained a heavy and accurate fire on the advancing enemy.The enemy's overwhelming numbers nevertheless succeeded in reaching the position and putting the Lewis gun out of action. In the hand to hand battle which foillowed, Captain Meynell was mortally wounded. However, the heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy prevented them from exploiting their success
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
MEYNELL Godfrey.(reg.No.863)
Captain. Corps of Guides, 12th Frontier Force Regiment, Indian Army.
London Gazetted on 24th December 1935.
Born on 30th May 1904 at Meynell Langley, Derbyshire.
Died on 29th September, 1935 at Mohmand, North West Frontier, India. (killed in action).
Memorial at Guides Cemetery, Mardan, India. Also in Kirk Langley Church and the Sanctum Crypt in St Luke's Church, Chelsea, London.
Digest of Citation reads: In the final phase of an attack on 29th September, 1935 on the North West Frontier, India, Captain Meynell, seeking information regarding the forward troops, found them engaged against an enemy vastly superior in numbers. Taking immediate command, Captain Meynell, with two Lewis guns and about 30 men maintained a heavy and accurate fire on the advancing enemy.The enemy's overwhelming numbers nevertheless succeeded in reaching the position and putting the Lewis gun out of action. In the hand to hand battle which foillowed, Captain Meynell was mortally wounded. However, the heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy prevented them from exploiting their success.
Additional information:. The widow of Captain Meynell was presented with the Victoria Cross by King Edward VIII. This was the only time, during his reign, that His Majesty presented this Medal Captain Meynell also held the Military Cross (MC).
Additional information
The widow of Captain Meynell was presented with the Victoria Cross by King Edward VIII. This was the only time, during his reign, that His Majesty presented this Medal Captain Meynell also held the Military Cross (MC).
India. (killed in action).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Guides Cemetery, Mardan, India. Also in Kirk Langley Church and the Sanctum Crypt in St Luke's Church, Chelsea, London
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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