Harry Norton Schofield
Captain, Royal Field Artillery
- Register No.
- 1114 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain all Captains →
- Unit
- Royal Field Artillery all Royal Field Artillery VCs →
- Date of action
- 15 December 1899 on this day → all of 1899 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second Boer War
- London Gazette
- 30th August 1901 on this day → all of 1901 →
- Born
- 29th January 1865 at Audenshaw, Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire
- Died
- 10th October 1931 at London
- Memorial / grave
- at Putney Vale Cemetery, London
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
The detachments serving the guns of the 14th and 66th batteries, at the Battle of Colenso, during the Boer War, on 15th December 1899, had either all been killed, wounded or driven away from the guns by close range rifle fire. Captain Schofield went out to extricate the guns, along with several others, including Lieutenant Roberts, Captain Congreve and Corporal Nurse. He assisted in the withdrawing of the two guns that were saved. Lieutenant Roberts was shot and later died of his wounds. Captain Congreve was also wounded approximately 100 yards away from the guns. Captain Schofield and Corporal Nurse, leapt from their horses and hooked up the two guns, with which they returned
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SCHOFIELD, Harry Norton. (reg No. 1114).
Captain. Royal Field Artillery.
London Gazetted on 30th August 1901.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 29th January 1865 at Audenshaw, Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire.
Died on 10th October 1931 at London.
Memorial on grave at Putney Vale Cemetery, London.
Digest of Citation reads: The detachments serving the guns of the 14th and 66th batteries, at the Battle of Colenso, during the Boer War, on 15th December 1899, had either all been killed, wounded or driven away from the guns by close range rifle fire. Captain Schofield went out to extricate the guns, along with several others, including Lieutenant Roberts, Captain Congreve and Corporal Nurse. He assisted in the withdrawing of the two guns that were saved. Lieutenant Roberts was shot and later died of his wounds. Captain Congreve was also wounded approximately 100 yards away from the guns. Captain Schofield and Corporal Nurse, leapt from their horses and hooked up the two guns, with which they returned.
Additional information:. Lieutenant Colonel Schofield also served in the First World War as the Commandant of Communication Lines with the British Expeditionary Force. (1915-17). He was also made a Member of The Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms. The drivers were all awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). They were Taylor, Young, Petts, Rockall, Lucas and Williams, all serving with a 66th Battery. Further research required
Additional information
Lieutenant Colonel Schofield also served in the First World War as the Commandant of Communication Lines with the British Expeditionary Force. (1915-17). He was also made a Member of The Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms. The drivers were all awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). They were Taylor, Young, Petts, Rockall, Lucas and Williams, all serving with a 66th Battery. Further research required
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Putney Vale Cemetery, 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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