John Davis Francis Shaul
Corporal, 1st Battalion. Highland Light Infantry. The
- Register No.
- 1131 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal all Corporals →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion. Highland Light Infantry. The all Highland Light Infantry VCs →
- Date of action
- 11 December 1899 on this day → all of 1899 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second Boer War
- London Gazette
- the 28th September, 1900 on this day → all of 1900 →
- Born
- 11th September 1873 at King's Lynn, Norfolk
- Died
- the 14th September, 1953 at Boksburg, South Africa
- Memorial / grave
- in Old Cemetery, Boksburg, Transvaal. Also commemorated on a plaque, Windsor Terrace, King's Lynn, Norfolk
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
During the Battle of Magersfontein, South Africa on 11th December 1899, Corporal Shaul was seen to perform several acts of bravery which were witnessed not only by officers of his own Battalion, but officers of other Regiments. He was in charge of stretcher bearers. At one time he was seen encouraging his men to advance across open ground. During the day he was prominent dressing the wounds of men, and in one case, under extremely heavy fire, he went to a man who was lying with a severe back wound. With outstanding coolness and deliberation, he sat and dressed the man's wound. On its completion, he went quietly to another part of the battlefields, all the time under continuous and heavy fire, acting as calmly and unperturbed, as if no enemy existed
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SHAUL, John Davis Francis. (Reg No. 1131).
Corporal. 1st Battalion. Highland Light Infantry. The London Gazetted on the 28th September, 1900.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 11th September 1873 at King's Lynn, Norfolk.
Died on the 14th September, 1953 at Boksburg, South Africa.
Memorial on grave in Old Cemetery, Boksburg, Transvaal. Also commemorated on a plaque, Windsor Terrace, King's Lynn, Norfolk.
Digest of Citation reads: During the Battle of Magersfontein, South Africa on 11th December 1899, Corporal Shaul was seen to perform several acts of bravery which were witnessed not only by officers of his own Battalion, but officers of other Regiments. He was in charge of stretcher bearers. At one time he was seen encouraging his men to advance across open ground. During the day he was prominent dressing the wounds of men, and in one case, under extremely heavy fire, he went to a man who was lying with a severe back wound. With outstanding coolness and deliberation, he sat and dressed the man's wound. On its completion, he went quietly to another part of the battlefields, all the time under continuous and heavy fire, acting as calmly and unperturbed, as if no enemy existed.
Additional information:. Bugle-Major Shaul was the son of Sergeant John Shaul of the Royal Scots. He was educated at the Duke of York's School, Chelsea. He served, at the age of 15, with the 1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, seeing action in Crete in 1898. He also served through the Boer War getting both the Queen's and King's medals with five Clasps. He was presented with the Victoria Cross at an Investiture at Pietermaritzburg, on 14th August 1901, by his Royal Highness, the Duke of York.
Additional information
Bugle-Major Shaul was the son of Sergeant John Shaul of the Royal Scots. He was educated at the Duke of York's School, Chelsea. He served, at the age of 15, with the 1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, seeing action in Crete in 1898. He also served through the Boer War getting both the Queen's and King's medals with five Clasps. He was presented with the Victoria Cross at an Investiture at Pietermaritzburg, on 14th August 1901, by his Royal Highness, the Duke of York.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: in Old Cemetery, Boksburg, Transvaal. Also commemorated on a plaque, Windsor Terrace, King's Lynn, Norfolk
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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