Tom Fletcher Mayson
Lance-Sergeant, 1st/4th Battalion. King's Own Regiment
- Register No.
- 852 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lance-Sergeant all Lance-Sergeants →
- Unit
- 1st/4th Battalion. King's Own Regiment (register: King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)) all King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) VCs →
- Date of action
- 31 July 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 14th September, 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Born
- 3rd November, 1893 at Silecroft, Cumberland
- Died
- 21st February 1958 at Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire
- Memorial / grave
- at St Mary's Churchyard, Whicham, and in St Mary's Church, Whicham, Cumberland. Also at The Priory, Lancaster
Digest of citation
Lance Sergeant Mayson, when his platoon was delayed by fire from a machine-gun, at Wieltje, Belgium, on the 31st July 1917, not waiting for instructions, he immediately made for the machine gun, putting it out of action, with bombs, and wounding four of the crew. The remaining three of the crew fled the scene, closely pursued by Sergeant MAYO, to a dug out, where he killed them. He later tackled another machine-gun, whilst clearing up a strong point, killing six of the crew. He took charge of an isolated post during an enemy counter attack, holding it successfully until his ammunition was exhausted and he was ordered to withdraw
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
MAYSON, Tom Fletcher. (reg No. 852).
Lance-Sergeant. 1st/4th Battalion. King's Own Regiment.* London Gazetted on 14th September, 1917.
Born on 3rd November, 1893 at Silecroft, Cumberland.
Died on 21st February 1958 at Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire.
Memorial on grave at St Mary's Churchyard, Whicham, and in St Mary's Church, Whicham, Cumberland. Also at The Priory, Lancaster.
Digest of Citation reads: Lance Sergeant Mayson, when his platoon was delayed by fire from a machine-gun, at Wieltje, Belgium, on the 31st July 1917, not waiting for instructions, he immediately made for the machine gun, putting it out of action, with bombs, and wounding four of the crew. The remaining three of the crew fled the scene, closely pursued by Sergeant MAYO, to a dug out, where he killed them. He later tackled another machine-gun, whilst clearing up a strong point, killing six of the crew. He took charge of an isolated post during an enemy counter attack, holding it successfully until his ammunition was exhausted and he was ordered to withdraw.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at St Mary's Churchyard, Whicham, and in St Mary's Church, Whicham, Cumberland. Also 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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