John Caffrey
Private, 2nd Battalion The York and Lancaster Regiment
- Register No.
- 168 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion The York and Lancaster Regiment all York and Lancaster Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 16 November 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 22nd January 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Born
- 23rd October 1890 want at Birr, King's County *, Ireland
- Died
- 26th February 1953 at Derby
- Memorial / grave
- not known
- Medal held by
- The York And Lancaster Regimental. Museum
Digest of citation
On 16th November 1915 near Labrique, France, a man was badly wounded and lying in the open unable to move, in full view of and about 350 yards from the enemy's trenches. A corporal of the RAMC and Private Caffrey at once started to rescue him, but at the first attempt were driven back by shrapnel fire. They tried again and succeeded in reaching and bandaging the wounded man, but just as they were lifting him up, the RAMC corporal was shot in the head. Private Caffrey bandaged the corporal and helped him back to safety, and then returned and brought in the other wounded man
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
CAFFREY, John. (reg No. 168)
Private 2nd Battalion The York and Lancaster Regiment.
London Gazetted on 22nd January 1916.
VC Medal's Custodian is The York And Lancaster Regimental. Museum Born on 23rd October 1890 want at Birr, King's County *, Ireland. (* later Offaly).
Died on 26th February 1953 at Derby.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: On 16th November 1915 near Labrique, France, a man was badly wounded and lying in the open unable to move, in full view of and about 350 yards from the enemy's trenches. A corporal of the RAMC and Private Caffrey at once started to rescue him, but at the first attempt were driven back by shrapnel fire. They tried again and succeeded in reaching and bandaging the wounded man, but just as they were lifting him up, the RAMC corporal was shot in the head. Private Caffrey bandaged the corporal and helped him back to safety, and then returned and brought in the other wounded man.
Additional information:. Private Caffrey also held the Cross of the Order of St George 4th Class (Russian).
Additional information
Private Caffrey also held the Cross of the Order of St George 4th Class (Russian).
(* later Offaly).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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