Harry Greenwood
Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding 9th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
- Register No.
- 489 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant Colonel all Lieutenant-Colonels →
- Unit
- Commanding 9th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (register: King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry)) all King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) VCs →
- Date of action
- 23–24 October 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 26th December, 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 25th November, 1881 at Windsor, Berkshire
- Died
- 5th May 1948 at Wimbledon, Surrey
- Memorial / grave
- at Putney Vale Cemetery and at Victoria Barracks, Windsor
Digest of citation
On 23rd October 1918 at Ovillers, France, when the advance of the Battalion was checked by enemy machine-gun fire, Lieutenant Colonel Greenwood single-handed rushed the position and killed the crew. Subsequently, accompanied by two runners he took another machine-gun post, but then found that his command was almost surrounded by the enemy who started to attack. Repulsing this attack, the Colonel led his troops forward, capturing the last objective with 150 prisoners, eight machine-guns and one field gun. On 24 October he again inspired his men to such a degree that the last objective was captured and the line held in spite of heavy casualties
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
GREENWOOD, Harry. (reg No. 489).
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding 9th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
London Gazetted on 26th December, 1918.
Born on 25th November, 1881 at Windsor, Berkshire.
Died on 5th May 1948 at Wimbledon, Surrey.
Memorial on grave at Putney Vale Cemetery and at Victoria Barracks, Windsor.
Digest of Citation reads: On 23rd October 1918 at Ovillers, France, when the advance of the Battalion was checked by enemy machine-gun fire, Lieutenant Colonel Greenwood single-handed rushed the position and killed the crew. Subsequently, accompanied by two runners he took another machine-gun post, but then found that his command was almost surrounded by the enemy who started to attack. Repulsing this attack, the Colonel led his troops forward, capturing the last objective with 150 prisoners, eight machine-guns and one field gun. On 24 October he again inspired his men to such a degree that the last objective was captured and the line held in spite of heavy casualties.
Additional information:. Lieutenant Colonel Greenwood held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Bar, the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and the Military Cross. (MC). During World War II, from 1940-45, he served with the Pioneer Corps.
Additional information
Lieutenant Colonel Greenwood held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Bar, the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and the Military Cross. (MC). During World War II, from 1940-45, he served with the Pioneer Corps.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Putney Vale Cemetery and at Victoria Barracks, Windsor
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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