John Mcnamara
Corporal, 9th Battalion. East Surrey Regiment
- Register No.
- 811 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal all Corporals →
- Unit
- 9th Battalion. East Surrey Regiment all East Surrey Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 3 September 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 15th November 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 28th October 1887 at Walton-le-Dale, Lancashire
- Died
- in action on 16th October 1918 near Solesmes, France
- Memorial / grave
- at Romeres Communal Cemetery, France
Digest of citation
Whilst operating a telephone, in an enemy trench that had been occupied by his battalion, Corporal McNAMARA was aware that an enemy counter-attack was gaining ground. Taking a revolver from a wounded officer, he used it most effectively. He seized a Lewis gun and put it into action until it jammed. He was now alone in the post. Destroying his telephone, he joined the nearest post and once more showed outstanding courage and initiative in the use of a Lewis gun, until the arrival of reinforcements. There is no doubt, that due to his courage and determination, the other positions were able to hold
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
McNAMARA, John. (reg No. 811).
Corporal. 9th Battalion. East Surrey Regiment.
London Gazetted on 15th November 1918.
Born on 28th October 1887 at Walton-le-Dale, Lancashire.
Killed in action on 16th October 1918 near Solesmes, France.
Memorial on grave at Romeres Communal Cemetery, France.
Digest of Citation reads: Whilst operating a telephone, in an enemy trench that had been occupied by his battalion, Corporal McNAMARA was aware that an enemy counter-attack was gaining ground. Taking a revolver from a wounded officer, he used it most effectively. He seized a Lewis gun and put it into action until it jammed. He was now alone in the post. Destroying his telephone, he joined the nearest post and once more showed outstanding courage and initiative in the use of a Lewis gun, until the arrival of reinforcements. There is no doubt, that due to his courage and determination, the other positions were able to hold.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Romeres Communal Cemetery, France
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