Thomas Neely
Corporal, 8th Battalion. Royal Lancaster Regiment
- Register No.
- 918 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal all Corporals →
- Unit
- 8th Battalion. Royal Lancaster Regiment (register: King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)) all King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) VCs →
- Date of action
- 27 September 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- the 14th December 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 28th March 1897 at Seacombe, Wallasey, Cheshire
- Died
- in action on the 1st October 1918 at Flesquieres, France
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- at Masnieres British Cemetery, France and at The Priory, Lancaster
Digest of citation
Realising the gravity of the situation, when his company was held up by heavy machine-gun from a flank during the advance at Flesquieres, France, on 27th September 1918, Corporal Neely, immediately started out with two men, and rushed the gun positions. They disposed of the garrisons and captured three machine-guns. On two later occasions he rushed a series of enemy positions, often single handed, including a strongly fortified garrison, killing or capturing the defenders. Because of his action, his company was able to advance along the Hindenburg support line for 3000 yards
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
NEELY, Thomas. (reg No. 918).
Corporal. 8th Battalion. Royal Lancaster Regiment. * London Gazetted on the 14th December 1918.
Born on 28th March 1897 at Seacombe, Wallasey, Cheshire.
Killed in action on the 1st October 1918 at Flesquieres, France.
Memorial on grave at Masnieres British Cemetery, France and at The Priory, Lancaster.
Digest of Citation reads: Realising the gravity of the situation, when his company was held up by heavy machine-gun from a flank during the advance at Flesquieres, France, on 27th September 1918, Corporal Neely, immediately started out with two men, and rushed the gun positions. They disposed of the garrisons and captured three machine-guns. On two later occasions he rushed a series of enemy positions, often single handed, including a strongly fortified garrison, killing or capturing the defenders. Because of his action, his company was able to advance along the Hindenburg support line for 3000 yards.
* King's Own .
Additional information:. Lance Sergeant Neely (spelt Neeley in the Victoria Cross 1856-1920) was killed in action on the 1st October 1918, three days after his gallant action.
Additional information
Lance Sergeant Neely (spelt Neeley in the Victoria Cross 1856-1920) was killed in action on the 1st October 1918, three days after his gallant action.
* King's Own .
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Masnieres British Cemetery, France and at The Priory, Lancaster
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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