James Samuel Emerson
Second Lieutenant, 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
- Register No.
- 382 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Second Lieutenant (register: Temp. Second Lieutenant) all Second Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers all Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers VCs →
- Date of action
- 6 December 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 13th February 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 3rd August 1895 at Collon, Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland
- Died
- 6th December, 1917 La Vaquerie, France. (Killed in action)
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- on Cambrai Memorial, France
Digest of citation
On 6th December, 1917, on the Hindenburg Line, north of Vaquerie, France, Second Lieutenant Emerson led his company in an attack and cleared 400 yards of trench. Though wounded, when the enemy attacked in superior numbers he met their attack with eight men, killing many and taking six prisoners. For three hours afterwards, all of officers having become casualties, he remained with his company, refusing to go to the dressing station, and repeatedly repelling bombing attacks. Later, leading his men to repel another attack, he was mortally wounded. His heroism inspired his men to hold out until reinforcements arrived
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
EMERSON, James Samuel. (reg No. 382).
Second Lieutenant 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
London Gazetted on 13th February 1918.
Born on 3rd August 1895 at Collon, Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland.
Died on 6th December, 1917 La Vaquerie, France. (Killed in action).
Memorial on Cambrai Memorial, France.
Digest of Citation reads: On 6th December, 1917, on the Hindenburg Line, north of Vaquerie, France, Second Lieutenant Emerson led his company in an attack and cleared 400 yards of trench. Though wounded, when the enemy attacked in superior numbers he met their attack with eight men, killing many and taking six prisoners. For three hours afterwards, all of officers having become casualties, he remained with his company, refusing to go to the dressing station, and repeatedly repelling bombing attacks. Later, leading his men to repel another attack, he was mortally wounded. His heroism inspired his men to hold out until reinforcements arrived.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: on Cambrai Memorial, France
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