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Victoria Cross & George Cross Holders of Birmingham

Aidan

Aidan

master brummie
Hopefully a single thread capturing the stories of these brave people. This initial post taken from https://www.hallofmemory.co.uk/history/victoria-george-cross.php & https://www.victoriacross.org.uk/birmingh.htm and I have tried to link in any existing threads

Click on the name for links to further info, the action for the Gazette entry and the Burial site/town for details of the MI

The Victoria Cross (VC) was first awarded in 1856. It is the highest military award that can be bestowed and is for valour in the face of the enemy. It is now rarely awarded and is usually posthumous - the only exception since the Korean War being Private Johnson Beharry who was nursed back to health in Selly Oak Hospital.



The Birmingham Victoria Cross
James Cooper (1840-1882) Andaman Islands 1867, Private, Warstone
Samuel Wassall (1856-1927) Isandhlwana 1879., Private, Barrow-In-Furness
William Jones (1839-1913) Rorke’s Drift 1879, Private, Philips Park Bradford - cf Jones Joke in film "Zulu"
George Ravenhill (1872-1921) Colenso 1899, Private, Witton [unmarked] {Forfeit of VC in 1908 for theft before rules changed}
Charles Parker (1870-1918) Korn Spruit 1900, Sergeant, ?
Herbert James (1888-1958) Gallipoli 1915, Second Lieutenant, Kensal Green Crematorium London
Arthur Vickers (1882-1944) Loos 1915, Private, Witton
Albert Gill (1879-1916) Somme 1916, Sergeant, ?
Thomas Turrall (1885-1964) Somme 1916, Private, Robin Hood Solihull [with special thanks to our own Lencops!]
Alfred Knight (1888-1960) Ypres 1917, Serjeant, ?
William Amey (1881-1940) Landrecies 1918, Lance-Corporal, Leamington Spa
Harold John Colley (1894-1918) Martinpuich 1918, Sergeant, Mailly Wood, France
Norman Augustus Finch (1890-1966) Zeebrugge 1918, Sergeant, ?
Alan Jerrard (1897-1968) Mansue 1918, Flight Lieutenant, Uxbridge & Hillingdon
James Neville Marshall (1887-1918) Sambre-Oise 1918, Lieutenant-Col, ?
George Onions (1883-1944) Achiet-Le-Petitiet 1918., Lance Corporal, Quinton
Arnold Horace Santo Waters (1886-1981) Sambre-Oise 1918, Major, All Saints Streetly
Alfred Wilcox (1884-1954) Laventie 1918., Lance-Corporal, St Peter & St Paul Aston
William Savage (1912-1942) St Nazaire 1942, Able Seaman, Falmouth
Henry Robert Bowreman Foote (1904-1993) El Alamein 1942, Major, West Sussex
John Patrick Kenneally (1921-2000) Tunis 1943, Lance-Corporal, ?

Note: Amey, Marshall and Waters were all on the same day.

Additional:
Cecil John Kinross (1896-1957) Passchendaele 1917, Private, Lougheed Alberta Canada
Johnson Gideon Beharry (1979- ), Al Amarah 2005, Private, Living


The George Cross (GC) was intended as the "civilian" equivalent of the Victoria Cross. It was introduced in 1940 and replaced the Empire Gallantry Medal and then later the Albert and Edward Medals. Holders of these superseded awards were invited to swap their awards for the George Cross. It too is now rarely awarded and usually now goes to the police or the armed forces operating not in the face of the enemy.

The Birmingham George Cross
Thomas Frank Miller (1887-1974) Nilambar 1921 {EGM}, Private, ?
Reginald Cubitt Graveley (1914-1961) France 1939, Flight Officer, ?
George Walter Inwood (1906-1940) Bishop Street 1940.
William Mosedale (1894-1971) Grantham Street 1940, Fire Station Officer, Arnos Vale - Bristol.
Edward Womersley Reynolds (1917-1955) Weston/Bristol 1940.
John Bryan Peter Miller (1903-1994) London 1941.
Richard Arthur Samuel Bywater (1913-2005) Kirkby 1944.
William Waterson (1904-1971) GEC Witton 1945 {EM}, plant workman, ?
Charles Wilcox (1919-2006) Margaret Street 1949 {EM}, Council Decorator, ?


Please add posts concerning the lives, stories and pictures of these (and is this a complete list?)
 
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Interesting thread will watch this one with interest. Some good sites out there regards Victoria Cross holders and what happened to them.
 
Alfred Wilcox buried at Aston Parish Church (St Peter & St Paul) was born in aback to back in Wilton St, Aston 16/12/1884. Son of William & Sarah Ann. His father worked in the Jewellery Quarter.
Alfred was educated at Burlington St School, Aston and afterwardsorked as a diamond mounter for E. Durban & Co. Frederick St. He later moved to London and joined up in March 1915. His wife & 2 children returned to Brum and lived in Small Heath.
Alfred served in the 4th Battalion Oxforshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He was promoted to Lance Corporal.

On the 12th September 1918 near Laventie in France his company was held up by heavy and persistant machine gun fire at close range.
On his own initiative with four men he rushed ahead to the nearest machine gun, bombed it (threw a hand grenade), killing the gunner and putting the gun out of action. He was than counterattacked by an enemy party using grenades, so he picked up the unused german grenades of the machine gun crew and led his party forwards against the next gun, capturing & destroying it. Although he was now down to one colleague they continued on and captured a 3rd gun, going on still further along the trench, grenading as he went to capture a 4th Machine gun.
He than rejoined his platoon!
He was awarded the Victoria Cross "for most conspicious bravery and initiative in attack when his company was held up by heavy and persistant machine gun fire at close range" He displayed in this series of successful individual enterprises 'exceptional valour, judgement & initiative'

He died in Brum on 30th March 1951, aged 66.

Kings Norton Local History group have done a small book with some V.C.'s in - Cooper, Wassall, Turrall, Kenneally.
I believe they are doing some more soon.

A good little out of print A5 booklet is "Birmingham Heroes" by J P Lethbridge. 1993 Newgate Press.
He also did Birmingham in the First World War - but I have not yet seen a copy for sale.

Brian
 
Great thread, and for Mr Stewarts connection prooves there are still some great people in our poor benighted country.
 
Indeed Paul. I have added the grave details Thanks Len & although am sure you will feign to accept it, well done.
 
Private Samuel Wassell 80th Regiment

(Zulu War 1879)

At Rorke's Drift, eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded. Seven to the 2nd Battalion, 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot, one to the Army Medical Department, one to the Royal Engineers, one to the Commissariat and Transport Department and one to the Natal Native Contingent.

There may possibly have been more VC's awarded but the posthumous VC was only started in 1905, among the first recipients in 1907 were Lts Melvill and Coghill who were killed whilst saving the colours from Isandhlwana on the 22nd. of January. One other VC winner on the 22nd. of January was a Private Samuel Wassall from Birmingham. He rescued a comrade who was drowning in the Buffalo River during the retreat from Isandhlwana. He went on to live until he was 70. He is buried in The Barrow-in-Furness cemetery, section 3.B. plot 1952. There was another VC winner who died at Isandhlwana. He was Private William Griffiths, born in Ireland. He won his VC in 1867 at Little Andaman Island. His grave is unmarked on the battlefield at Isandhlwana.

With the exception of Lieutenants Melvin and Coghill and Private Griffiths (who was killed), this is the only man on the Victoria Cross list who was present at the terrible disaster of Isandlwana, January 22, 1879. When the camp was sacked and nearly every man massacred, there were a few fugitives who succeeded in reaching the Buffalo River, six miles away. Wassall had just commenced to ford the river when he saw one of his comrades, Private Westwood, being carried down the stream, almost certain to be drowned. Though the Zulus were close behind him, without hesitation he sprang from his horse, which he tied up to the Zulu bank of the river, swam out to the man's assistance and brought him back to the shore. Then, again mounting his horse, he urged the animal across the river, dragging the exhausted man by the hand, and succeeded in getting him safely to the opposite side, in spite of a brisk fire kept up on him by the enemy, who had by then arrived at the river.

Buried in Barrow-in-Furness https://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/cumbria.htm

Medal located at: Museum of the Staffordshire Regiment, Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Wassall

Gazette Entry https://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/24734/pages/3966

supplemental - very reminiscent of the Rolf Harris 1969 standard "two Little Boys" of course - which you may think fatuous but I have a 1903 recording which I think may be the original called "When We Were Two Little Boys" by Billy Murray and there is evidence to suggest much earlier
 
Private George Ravenhill

2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers

15th December 1899

On the disastrous December 15, 1899, at Colenso, when the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries R.F.A. had to be abandoned, owing to the awful fire concentrated upon them by the Boers, Ravenhill was one of the heroic band of men who made the brave attempt to save them, and one of the few who escaped the hail of lead and lived to tell the tale. He was also with the party who eventually succeeded in saving one.
A more detailed account of the affair is given in the record of Captain Congreve George (not Charles, as gazetted) Ravenhill is a Warwickshire man, although currently reported as hailing from Ayr, having been born at Birmingham on February 21, 1872, his father being Mr. T. Ravenhill, Warren Road, Washwood.
At Birr, Ireland, in May, 1889, he joined the 1st battalion of his regiment, with which he served afterwards in India for close on six years, and with the sister battalion for two years on the veldt. Possesses the Queen's and the King's medals, with clasps, for relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal and Cape Colony.
At Colenso he gained the Cross under command of Colonel E. E. Carr, C.B., and in General Geoffrey Barton's brigade, the decoration being presented to him by H.R.H. the Duke of York on June 4, 1901, at Pietermaritzburg. He was once wounded at Colenso, shot through the forearm.
Was also awarded the medal for distinguished conduct, which was, however, cancelled on being gazetted to the Victoria Cross, even though the medal was for a different action—the battle of Fredricksbad.

Forfeiture

Ravenhill's VC was forfeited after he was imprisoned for theft of a quantity of iron and could not afford to pay the 10 shilling fine. His VC-entitled pension was also withdrawn. Ravenhill died in poverty at the age of 49, and three of his children were taken away to be fostered in the USA and Canada.

Questions were raised in the house as to why he was lying in Erdington Workhouse https://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1908/may/13/george-ravenhill-vc

BURIED: unmarked grave at Witton Cemetery, Birmingham. https://rhf.org.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=55

MEDAL: Ravenhill's Victoria Cross is currently displayed at the Museum of The Royal Highland Fusiliers in Glasgow, Scotland.

GAZETTE: https://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27320/pages/3769

For further detail please see from post-#18 on https://forum.birminghamhistory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=31785&p=324433#post324433
 
Thanks Len. I am aware of that thread and am using that site in the index above. When anyone posts the info of a Birmingham VC or GC holder (on this or another thread) I aim to update the index in post-#1 above giving a link to their story, the Gazette entry to their award and any info as to where they are buried...

I am using hiiden links to keep it tidy - where the names are shown in a different colour you will find that they are linked if you click on them.

Quite a lot of names, so if you fancy it, please pick a name and do a post....
 
Charles Wilcox G.C.

born on May 11, 1919. He died on April 4, 2006, aged 86. (from the Times & Telgraph Obits). With thanks to Loisand

Charles Wilcox, won the George Cross for helping to rescue a man who had become trapped high up on a building in Birmingham.

On August 23 1949 Wilcox, a 30-year-old painter employed by Birmingham Corporation, was engaged with other workmen in painting a council house building in the centre of the city. One of his workmates, Alfred Burrows, aged 21, mounted a ladder to begin painting an outside window on the third floor. When he reached the top of the ladder, about 45 ft above the street, he climbed on to an arched sill, about 18 in wide, sited below the window. He then discovered that the window was bricked up on the inside, and that there was nothing he could catch hold of to keep his balance. He turned around to go back to the ladder, but was unable to see it. Becoming frightened, he crouched down, trying to keep his balance on the narrow ledge.
The foreman painter, seeing Burrows's predicament, sent another painter to his assistance. This man, after supporting Burrows for a few minutes, returned to the ground. Charles Wilcox then climbed the ladder and, by kneeling on a flat piece of masonry some 18 inches square at the end of the arch, was able to support Burrows, who was by now suffering from severe shock. Wilcox remained in this position for 45 minutes until the Fire Brigade arrived; they strapped Burrows, who was by now unconscious, into a safety harness. A fireman then brought him to the ground.

Wilcox was originally awarded the Edward Medal, but this was later translated to the George Cross, in 1971. He was invested with the GC by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on March 20 1973. The citation for his award declared: "During the period that Mr Wilcox was on the ledge with Burrows, he was in considerable danger of falling, had the other man kicked out or made any violent movement."

Charles Wilcox was born on May 11 1919 in Birmingham, and was educated at Osler Street School, Ladywood, and Raddleburn Road School, Selly Oak. His uncle, Lance-Corporal Alfred Wilcox, won the Victoria Cross while serving with 2/4th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry near Laventie, France, in September 1918. After leaving school, Charles was employed as a painter and decorator by Birmingham Corporation. He continued in this position until the outbreak of war in 1939, when he enlisted with the 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, as a private. In 1940-41 Wilcox saw service in Palestine, Egypt and the Western Desert. For six months he was seconded to an anti-aircraft detachment on merchant ships. Then, in February 1942, the battalion embarked for India, where it was trained for a long-range penetration role. In March 1944 the battalion was air-lifted into Burma for the second Chindit expedition as part of Brigadier Mike Calvert's 77th Indian Infantry Brigade.

Wilcox was demobilised in March 1946 and returned to his job with Birmingham Corporation. Charles Wilcox married, in 1945, Edith Davies. They had two sons and two daughters; one son, Edward, died when he was aged 20.From 1965 to 1980 he was employed as a car assembler with Austin at Longbridge, but had to give up work on medical grounds. After retiring in Birmingham, his interests were gardening, carpentry and restoring old clocks. A modest, thoughtful man, Wilcox played the electric organ and enjoyed karaoke.

An unusual feature of the incident was the picture taken at the moment of rescue by a photographer of The Birmingham Post & Mail (does anyone have this please?) who had followed up the call to the fire brigade. Wilcox’s bravery and coolness were recognised by the award of the Edward Medal, instituted by King Edward VII in 1907 for acts of bravery by miners and quarry workers. The charter was later changed to include acts of gallantry throughout industry.

He presented his Edward Medal to the City of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
 
I think I have added all the links to existing threads of VC & GC people of the Forum. If you know of anyone else let me know please as don't want to duplicate.

Me and the London Gazette have come to some sort of understanding and I have found the citation for most of these too. If you come across any, please also post here.

As well as the story of their VC which I find terrifically moving, it would be good to find out where they were born, married, died (seems some on the list were born Brummies, some died here, some lived here for a bit), their circumstances, pictures, service records etc - all classic genealogy stuff - post away please....
 
Thank you for a first class and interesting thread, nice to see the civvys included a brave man is a brave man, you don't always need a uniform to commit acts of bravery!
 
William Waterson, a workman at GEC was honoured for trying to save a colleague who was suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning after an accident at the General Electric Company factory in 1945.

The man later died but Mr Waterson spent five days in hospital and a month in a convalescent home recovering from the injuries he sustained.

His bravery earned him the Edward Medal in Bronze for Industry.

I can't seem to find much more about him, so if you find something please do post

His Gazette entry reads:
Whitehall, March 19, 1946.
The KING has been pleased to award the Edward
Medal to William Water son in recognition of hisgallantry
an the following circumstances: —
At 4.30 a.m. on* Saturday the i8th August, 1945.
two workmen employed in the carbon-black plant
at the works of the General Electric Company, Ltd.,
Birmingham., were engaged in collecting newly
manufactured damp 'black from a brick chamber.
The men were unprotected and had to withstand a
high temperature as well as an unpleasant atmosphere
due to particles of oily lamp black, while
carbon monoxide was present from burning soot.
After a short time Webb, one of the workmen,
collapsed and his companion, Albert Edward
Stranks, being unable to move him, sought
assistance. Breathing apparatus was stored at the
works fire station some distance away; when Stranks
called for help, the fire alarm was properly sounded.
To await the arrival of breathing apparatus would
inevitably have resulted in some delay and as the
event conclusively proved, there was no time to
lose. William Waterson, who was the first to arrive
on the scene after the alarm was given, joined
Stranks and in order to avoid any delay in going
to Webb's assistance, without hesitation though fully
xealising the risk, entered the chamber and attempted
to pull the man out. Webb was covered in sweat
and carbon black and rescue work was difficult as
it was not possible to get a proper grip on him.
They were unsuccessful at first and on coming out
Stranks collapsed; but Waterson continued to make
attempts, entering four times in all. On his last
entry he was accompanied by Jphn Thomas Hewitt,
a member of the works Fire Brigade, who had then
arrived with a rope but not with the breathing
apparatus; together they succeeded in bringing Webb
out, who, unfortunately, was found to be dead.
The hazards were serious owing to the presence
of the carbon monoxide gas, intense heat, complete
darkness except fox the light from a portable
acetylene lamp (the carbon covered surroundings
absorb aH light and give no reflection), the deposit
of carbon black and the confined space, conditions
to which Waterson and Hewitt were unaccustomed.
Both Waterson aad Stranks suffered badly from
gassing and were removed! to hospital, and Hewitt
suffered to a lesser extent.
 
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Major General Henry Robert Bowreman Foote VC CB DSO

Born: 5 December 1904 in Ishapur, Bengal, India.
Died: 22 November 1993, Pulborough, West Sussex
Buried: St Mary's Churchyard, West Chillington, West Sussex https://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/sussex.htm
Medal: Royal Tank Regiment Museum, Bovington, Dorset

Henry Robert Bowreman Foote, soldier: born 5 December 1904; Officer Commanding, 7th Royal Tank Regiment 1942; DSO 1942; VC 1944; Officer Commanding, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment 1947-48; Officer Commanding, Automotive Wing, Fighting Vehicles Proving Establishment, Ministry of Supply 1948-49; commanded 7th Armoured Brigade 1949-50, 11th Armoured Division 1950-53; CB 1952; Director-General of Fighting Vehicles, Ministry of Supply 1953-55; Director, Royal Armoured Corps at the War Office 1955-58; married 1944 Anita Flint Howard (died 1970), 1981 Audrey Mary Ashwell; died 22 November 1993.

H. R. B. FOOTE died just 24 hours after the 76th anniversary of the Battle of Cambrai, the great founding battle honour of his regiment, the Royal Tank Regiment, into which he was commissioned in 1925 and served until 1958.

Although he held a variety of prestigious appointments during his career, including three years as Director of the Royal Armoured Corps, it is not for these that Bob Foote will be remembered. Old soldiers, no matter how distinguished, do not normally find themselves the subject of This Is Your Life as Foote did. What marked him out was his legendary bravery in the Second World War battles in the Western Desert, especially the battle of Gazala.

It was here that Foote commanded the 7th Royal Tank Regiment in the midst of some of the most vicious fighting of the whole campaign. The battles lasted for a week in 1942, at the beginning of which he won a DSO at Sidra Ridge, and culminated with his attack at Knightsbridge when, with most of his tanks destroyed, but required vitally to stay there, he reorganised his remaining armoured units by moving among them on foot to encourage them. Finally he put himself in his tank, in front of the remains of his regiment, standing high out of the turret so that he could be seen by his men. His tank was hit 29 times and when his communications and guns had all been destroyed he led what was left of his regiment forward on foot using hand signals to guide them. The withdrawal of the Guards Brigade which it had been his task to permit, was successfully accomplished. Lt-Col Foote was awarded the Victoria Cross after a showing of physical courage and leadership, in desperate circumstances, which beggars description.

Far the most important part of leadership is example. If you want a role-model perfectly to fit such a leader it was Foote. He led from the front when he needed to, which in the Western Desert was often, usually in his tank, memorably on one occasion on foot, but if the regiment was static, being continuously shot at and shelled, he would run round in his jeep encouraging his men. Some military thinkers who were not there might rate this as foolhardy, but so heavy had been the casualties with two-pounder guns in the Matildas versus the German 88s that the crews were now heavily interlarded with men from other parts of the regiment who were not specially trained as tank crews. Radio communications were, to say the least, difficult. He needed to do things that way.

After his final capture when Rommel overran Tobruk, Foote escaped over the wire from an Italian prisoner-of-war camp and with a handful of others moved up into the mountains where for weeks Il Colonello, as they called him, succeeded in gaining the support of the villagers, and eventually joined the Italian partisans who helped him to cross into Switzerland and ultimately back to England.

Soldiering was what in his life Foote did best. He was not only respected by his men, he was loved by them. When he was no longer serving he took a deep interest in the British Legion and the Old Comrades Association where he found some of his wartime warriors. There are words to describe the finer qualities of people, words which perhaps have gone a bit out of fashion these days. But General Bob was straight: a straight man, straight down the middle, no nonsense; a man of integrity and loyalty. I don't think he knew the meaning of the word devious.
Allan Taylor, The Independant, Friday, 24 December 1993

Gazette entry reads: https://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36518/supplements/2269
War Office, i&th May, 1944.
The KING has been graciously pleased to
approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS
to: —
Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Henry
Robert Bowreman Foote, D.S.O. (31938),
Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured
Corps (Edgbaston, Birmingham).
For outstanding gallantry during the
period 27th May to I5th June, 1942,.
On the 6th June, Lieutenant-Colonel Foote
led his Battalion, which had been subjected
to very heavy artillery fire, in pursuit of a
superior force of the enemy. While changing
to another tank after 'his own had been
knocked out, Lieutenant-Colonel Foote was
wounded in the neck. In spite of this he
continued to* lead his Battalion from an exposed
position on the outside of a tank.
The enemy, who were holding a strongly
entrenched position with anti-tank guns,
attacked his flank. As a further tank had
been disabled he continued on foot under
intense fire encouraging his men by his
splendid example. By dusk, Lieutenant-
Colonel Foote by his brilliant leadership had
defeated the enemy's attempt to encircle two
of our Divisions.
On i3th June, when ordered to delay the
enemy tanks so that the Guards Brigade
could be withdrawn from the Knightsbridge
escarpment and when the first wave of our
tanks had been destroyed, Lieutenant-
Colonel Foote re-organised the remaining
tanks, going on foot from one tank to
another to encourage the crews under intense
artillery and anti-tank fire.
As it was of vital importance that his
Battalion should not give ground, Lieutenant-
Colonel Foote placed his tank, which he had
then entered, in front of the others so that he
could be plainly visible in the turret as an
encouragement to the other crews, in spite
of the tank being badly damaged by shell
fire and all its guns rendered useless. By his
magnificent example the corridor was kept
open and the Brigade was able to march
through.
Lieutenant-Colonel Foote was always at
the crucial point at the right moment, and
over a period of several days gave an example
of outstanding courage and leadership
which it would have been difficult to surpass.
His name was a by-word for bravery and
leadership throughout the Brigade.


I can't yet find his connection to Birmingham, apart from the mention in his citation about "Royal Armoured
Corps (Edgbaston, Birmingham)" - anyone know further please?
 
I have done some research into George Ravenhill VC. If this works it is Part 1 of 3.

PRIVATE GEORGE RAVENHILL V.C.
1. Family background
2. Boer War
3. From VC to Prison Cell
4. Death and Funeral, 1921

1. FAMILY BACKGROUND
George Albert Ravenhill was born on February 23rd 1872 in Thimble Mill Lane in the Nechells district of Birmingham, He was the son of Thomas and Mary Anne Ravenhill and his father followed the trade of wood turner.
On the 1881 census nine year old George was living in Church Road, Aston, with his father, five brothers and three sisters. Thomas, his father, was then a spade tree maker, aged 41. His siblings were Mary Jane (aged 17), Thomas (16), Walter (12), Laura (10), Alfred (7), Albert 5, Ernest (3) and Annie (1). Of the nine children five were recorded with Aston as the place of birth and four Nechells. His mother was not recorded on the census for an unknown reason.
His father had been born at Whaddon, three miles south-west of Gloucester and on the main road to Stroud. It is probable that Thomas Ravenhill had come to Birmingham with his brother for there was a George Ravenhill living in Wharf Street, Aston, in 1881 who was also born at Waddon. This George was 52 years old, a publican, married to Mary with one domestic servant.
In 1891 Thomas and Mary were living in Long Acre, Nechells, Thomas was still described as a spade tree maker. Thomas junior was still living at home and was in the same trade as his father along with Albert, who was a brass caster, and eleven year old Annie. Louis (9), Charles (7), Arthur (3) and Edith (3) had been born since the 1881 census. Mary Jane, Walter, Laura, Alfred and Ernest were not listed with the rest of the family. Unfortunately George himself cannot be found anywhere on the 1891 census.
George’s father, Thomas, was still alive at the time of the 1901 Census. Now 61 he was living in Cheatham Street, Nechells in the parish of St Clements. He was now a wood turner. We learn that his wife, Mary Jane, was aged 57 and Birmingham born. Some of George’s brothers and sisters were still living in the family home; Mary Jane, now a housemaid, Thomas, also a wood turner, Ernest, a tube drawer, Annie, a lacquerer. Charles, aged 17, was now a house painter, Edith, aged 12, a draper’s cashier and there was also Arthur, also aged 12. . Walter, Laura, Alfred, Albert and Louis were not listed. Mary Jane, their mother, had the maiden name of Baradine as her mother, Sarah, aged 81, was also living in the house. Like her son-in-law she had also been born in Whaddon, Gloucestershire.
Whilst George was serving in South Africa his wife Florence was living at Long Acre, Aston, in the parish of St Clements. In 1901 she was aged 24 and Birmingham born. There were later to be four more children but only Lily, aged 1, had been born by the turn of the century.

2. BOER WAR 1899
For reasons we do not know George Ravenhill joined the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers and saw active service in the Boer War (1899-1902) fought in South Africa between the Boers of Dutch descent and the British, who had imperialist ambitions in that part of the world. The war broke out on October 12 1899 when Boers invaded Cape Colony and Natal.
On December 15 1899 General Sir Redvers Buller , British Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, led an advance on the Boer defence line along the Tugela River established by General Botha. Buller commanded five infantry brigades and had artillery support from the Royal Artillery and the Royal Navy. The whole force numbered about 21000. This was a step towards the relief of the besieged town of Ladysmith which had been cut off since November 2. George Ravenhill was serving in 6th Brigade commanded by Barton.
The British attack was to be three pronged and frontal. Both flanks were repulsed. On the left flank men commanded by Major General Hart were ambushed in a blind loop (the open end of a loop like a salient) in the river 7 km upstream from Colenso. This was a mistake caused by inaccurate British maps. They could not cross and were fired upon from three sides. In the centre of this loop was Colonel C.J.Long, who commanded two batteries of twelve 15 pounder field guns and six naval 12 pounders and had advanced these heavy guns into the bend in the river. The guns had been escorted forward by A and B companies of the Royal Scots Fusiliers,including Private George Ravenhill. It appears that Long had exceeded his orders and pushed his guns further forward than Buller had instructed. The gunners came under very heavy rifle fire from trenches on the opposite river bank and the guns were abandoned as the teams of horses could not be brought up to the guns.
Thomas Pakenham in ‘The Boer War’, Futura, 1982 sets the scene as follows…
“The advance of Long’s twelve field-guns and six naval guns, which had so astounded Louis Botha half an hour earlier that morning, seen form the other side of the Tugela, indeed followed one of the great traditions of the British army; courage matched only by stupidity. To see those eighteen gun teams, riding out fra ahead of the infantry battalions supposed to screen them, was to return to some scene from Balaclava: Long…believed in the old virtues of close order and ‘keeping the men in hand’. Despite the protests of Lieutenant Ogilvy, the CO of the 12-pounder naval guns, Long…..had brought the 15-pounders to within a thousand yards of the river bank before he allowed a halt. Fortunately for Ogilvy and his men, they had lagged nearly six hundred yards behind the 15-pounders., and, when Botha had given the signal for that fusillade of shrapnel and Mauser fire, the naval guns were still comparatively safe. True, the African drivers, who drove the improvised naval gun teams, immediately bolted….But it was possible to cut the oxen free from the naval guns, and bring all six guns into action against the kopjes a mile away across the river, from which most of the rifle fire appeared to be coming. …..The naval gun detachment suffered next to no casualties. By contrast, the two 15-pounder batteries found themselves in the centre of something to which military textbooks had yet to give a name: in this zone of fire, the air crackled like fat in a frying-pan….It was the sheer volume of (Boer) rifle fire – the emptying of a thousand Mauser magazines - that had the force of machine guns and gave the British the impression they were facing twenty thousand Boers.
One of the first to be knocked down was Long himself, critically wounded in the liver; Lieutenant-Colonel Hunt, the second-in-command, was also wounded, as were officers from both batteries..The 15-pounders continued firing – slowly andmethodically, thegunners counting out the intervals between shots,as they had been taught. The second line of ammunition wagons was brought up, and the first line of empty wagons calmly removed. The story was to be told of how the gunners now fought on till the last round of ammunition. In fact the gunners were brave, but human. When a third of their number had been killed or wounded, flash and blood could stand no more. The acting commander ordered the men to take shelter in a small donga – a stony hollow nearby. The second-line ammunition wagons, nearly full, were left with the twelve guns, abandoned in the open plain. Two of the officers then rode back out of the drumming Mauser fire to try to get help”.

These two officers, Captains Fitzgerald and Herbert, met Buller as he rode towards the firing line. Buller rode on to meet Hildyard and told him to call off the main attack on Colenso. He said “I’m afraid Long’s guns have got us into a terrible mess”. It would be reckless to proceed. With his personal doctor at his side, Buller rode on towards the small donga where Long’s men were sheltering. He now attempted to rescue Long and his twelve guns.
Buller’s problem was to to cross the last eight hundred yards of open plain to the guns. When he arrived on the scene he was pleased to find the naval guns still firing though immobilized by the stampede of all but two of the ox teams. He arranged for artillery horses to drag those naval guns back to a safe position. Buller had plenty of infantry available but the problem was how to get them far enough forward to extricate Long.
Buller made a good enemy target and was severely bruised in the ribs by a shell fragment but did not admit this till later. His personal doctor, Captain Hughes, was less lucky and was killed at his side.
“Buller now rode back a second time to the large donga. Out on the plain Long’s twelve field guns still lay abandoned, alone except for a circle of panic-stricken horses, tied by the traces to their dead team mates. By the donga bullets drummed on the ground, making the drivers duck back under shelter. Buller stood out in the open and shouted, ‘Now, my lads, this is your last chance to save the guns; will any of you volunteer to fetch them”? After a minute one of the corporals got up, and six men joined him.To make up two teams needed more volunteers. Buller turned to his own staff….’Some of you go and help’. Three officers stepped forward: Captain H.N.Schofield…,Captain Walter Congreve…and Lieutenant Freddy Roberts. Congreve was never to forget that ride. He was a personal friend of Freddy’s – they had served as brother officers in the Rifle Brigade in India. ….First they had to hook the two teams into the limbers. Freddy Roberts held the head of Corporal Nurse’s horse, while the corporal hooked in. They set off at a canter towards the guns, half a mile away. (Congreve was unseated and Freddy vanished) But somehow the two teams with the limbers reached the guns. After a struggle. Schofield and the corporal hooked in, and away they galloped back to safety, with two 15-pounders. By now Botha’s men…..had redoubled their fire. The next team with a limber sent forward by Buller was brought to a standstill. Further volunteers rode out. It was hopeless. A final attempt was made by Captain H.L.Reed of the 7th Battery….He hooked in three teams and they rode forward. Twelve of the horses were shot, one man killed, five wounded. No one reached the guns. Buller now refused to sanction any further rescue attempts. He then gave the order: retire……
Out in the shimmering plain, the guns lay abandoned, encircled by the dead horses. And in the small donga, thirty yards behind, Colonel Long, wounded gunners, staff and some infantrymen still lay under the midsummer sun….(Congreve) had been wounded in the leg. Then he had found Freddy Roberts. He was lying out on the veld, shot in the stomach and two other places. When the fire slackened, Congreve dragged him under shelter. He was unconscious, and there seemed little hope for him from the first. They shaded his head with a coat and waited”.
(The Boers now took the position and took prisoners). Congreve, Freddy Roberts, Long and the other wounded were sent back in the care of the ‘bodysnatchers’, the Indian and British ambulance men, who now reached the donga.
Lieutenant Freddy Roberts, son of Field Marshal Lord Roberts, was awarded a posthumous V.C. The original VC warrant made no mention of posthumous awards and it had been decided that the VC would not be given for an act in which the intended recipient had been killed or where he had died shortly afterwards. Freddy Roberts created a new precedent, having died a day later. Buller lost 1127 men at Colenso while only 8 Boers lost their lives with 30 wounded. He was now replaced by Lord Roberts as Commander-in-Chief. So ended ‘Black Week’ when the British forces had suffered defeats at Stormberg (December 10), Magersfontein (December 11) and now Colenso. On 28 Feb 1900 Ladysmith was relieved and on 17 May Mafeking as well.
George Ravenhill is not mentioned in these accounts but his contribution as a volunteer was recognised by the award of a Victoria Cross for bravery. Six other VCs were awarded for the same event. Major William Babtie, Royal Army Medical Corps, for attending the wounded under fire; Captain Walter Norris Congreve of the Rifle Brigade had also tried to save the guns as well as bringing in a wounded officer with Babtie; Lieutenant Frederick Hugh Sherston Roberts had helped to hook a team into a limber and then to limber up a gun. While doing so, he fell badly wounded and later died of his wounds. Captain Harry Norton Taylor was Aide-de-Camp to General Buller. He helped Roberts limber up the guns sustained six bullet wounds in the process.
Corporal George Nurse of the 66th Battery, RFA, was one of Buller’s volunteers who helped to bring in a gun. Captain Hamilton Lyster Reed led his men from the 7th Battery in an attempt to rescue the guns.
 
George Ravenhill Part 2 of 3

3. FROM V.C. TO PRISON CELL 1901-8

BIRMINGHAM DAILY MAIL – JUNE 5 1901
MORE VICTORIA CROSS HONOURS. A QUARTETTE OF HEROES
The ‘London Gazette’ of last night notifies that the King has conferred the Victoria Cross upon Captain N.R.House, New South Wales Medical Staff Corps; Lieutenant (now Captain and Brevet-Major) J.E.J.Masterson, 1st Devonshire Regiment; Corporal J.J.Clements, Rimington’s Guides; and Private G.Ravenhill, 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers, for conspicuous gallantry in South Africa.
(the actions of the other three were also Boer War but unrelated to the Battle of Colenso)
At Colenso on the 15th December, 1899, Private Ravenhill went several times under a heavy fire from his sheltered position as one of the escort to the guns to assist the officers and drivers who were trying to withdraw the guns of the 14th and 66th Field Batteries, when the detachments serving them had all been killed, wounded or driven from them by infantry fire at close range, and helped to limber up one of the guns that were saved.
(Note: the newspaper did not realise at this stage that Ravenhill was a Birmingham man)
78 VCs were awarded during the war in South Africa; seven at Colenso in December 1899.
BIRMINGHAM DAILY POST - AUGUST 25 1908
THEFT OF METAL AT BROMFORD
A V.C. HERO IMPRISONED
At Aston Police Court yesterday George Ravenhill, labourer, no fixed residence; Lot Galeford, labourer, Park Street, Aston; and John Toye, labourer, 84, Clifton Road, were charged with stealing at Bromford, on the 21st inst. 3 ¾ cwt of iron, valued at 6s, the property of James Rollasson, manufacturer of Bromford Mills. Ravenhill is a Victoria Cross hero, having gained the distinction at at Colenso. He was before the court some months ago on a charge of refusing to perform his allotted task at Erdington Workhouse.
John Small, foreman at Bromford Mills, spoke to missing the iron from near the entrance gates of the works, and George Ward, marine store dealer, of Bright Street, Aston, said he bought the iron from Ravenhill and Galeford on the 24th of August for 5s.7 ½ d which was the market price.
Toye, giving evidence of his own behalf, said he had no idea the iron was stolen. The other prisoners merely asked him to give them a lift with the iron, which they said they had found in the brook. Toye was discharged and Galeford, who had been in trouble before, was sentenced to three months hard labour.
In the case of Ravenhill, Detective Inspector Jackson stated that he could not say much in the man’s favour. He had been keeping company with Galeford for the past month. One day he told witness that he was still looking for work and asked him to help him. Witness said he would if he would keep away from bad companions, otherwise he could not recommend him.
Ravenhill told the Bench he believed he was entitled to a pension of £50 per annum. If he had had that he should not have been mixed up with this affair, but he had heard nothing from the authorities regarding his claim.
The Bench said they had no other course but to send Ravenhill to gaol for a month, They had tried to help him but he would not help himself.

THE TIMES – DECEMBER 16 1908
SALE OF VICTORIA CROSSES
Messrs Sotheby’s sale yesterday included two Victoria Crosses, one of which was awarded to Lieutenant George Symons, June 6 1855….£31; and a group of three medals awarded to Private George Ravenhill, the Victoria Cross, December 15 1899, and two Africa medals - £42. Private Ravenhill was one of the band of who went out to save the guns at Colenso under the concentrated fire of the Boers, and he was one of the few who returned. Both lots were purchased by Messrs.Spink.
(Note: George Ravenhill’s V.C. is now in the Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. It is possible that the sale was on behalf of the War Office who had retrieved the medal)
MAX ARTHUR ‘SYMBOL OF COURAGE. A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE VICTORIA CROSS’. SIDGWICK AND JACKSON. 2004
Page 164…
“His name was removed from the VC Roll in 1908 after he was convicted of theft…Shortly before Ravenhill’s death, King George V declared that the VC should never be forfeited. ‘Even were a VC to be sentenced to be hanged for murder’, wrote the King, ‘he should be allowed to wear the VC on the scaffold’. His name was returned to the Register”.
(The King’s words were in a letter to the widow of James Collis, who had won the VC at Kandahar, Afghanistan in 1880. He was convicted of bigamy in 1895 and his name erased from the VC Roll. After he died his widow wrote to King George V asking that his name should be restored)
Page xiii….
“Until 1920 the award could be forfeited for discreditable acts; the VC holder also lost his pension. In the history of the award this occurred eight times., for desertion, assault, theft and bigamy. The eight men who lost the award were Edward Daniel, James McGuire, Valentine Bambrick, Michael Murphy, Thomas Lane, Frederick Corbett, James Collis and George Ravenhill”.

4. DEATH AND FUNERAL 1921
BIRMINGHAM DAILY MAIL MONDAY APRIL 18 1921
DEATH OF A BIRMINGHAM VC
The death has taken place suddenly at his home 12, back 120, Long Acre, Nechells, of a Birmingham V.C., Private George Ravenhill. He leaves a wife and five children in needy circumstances.
Ravenhill, who was 49 years of age, won the Victoria Cross in the South African war. The ‘London Gazette’ of June 4 1901 thus describes the deed for which he was given this coveted award:-
“The Royal Scots Fusiliers (21st Foot). At Colenso on March 15 1899, Private Ravenhill went several times, under heavy fire, from his sheltered position as one of the escort to the guns, to assist the officers and drivers who were trying to withdraw the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, when detachments serving them had all been killed, wounded or driven from them by infantry fire. At close range he helped to limber up one of the guns that was saved”.
BIRMINGHAM GAZETTE TUESDAY 19 APRIL 1921
HELPED TO SAVE GUNS FROM BOERS
DEATH OF BIRMINGHAM V.C.
FAMILY LEFT DESTITUTE IN ONE ROOM TENEMENT
(front page story below a photograph of the family)
A gallant V.C., who gained the highest military award at the time of the Boer War, has just died in a one-roomed tenement which he shared with his wife and five children in a house built in a squalid court in Long Acre, Nechells, Birmingham.
Private George Ravenhill, of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, was drafted to Natal when the Boer War broke out. He was then 26 years of age, and had been married the previous year. At that time his home was in the same court in Nechells in which his family are living now and where he has spent his last years.
WINNING THE V.C.
In Natal, when the Scots Fusiliers went to his assistance, General Buller was being sorely pressed by the Republican forces from both the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. On 15 December 1899, the historic date of the tragedy of the guns at Colenso, Ravenhill went several times, under heavy fire, from his sheltered position, as one of the escort of the guns to assist officers and drivers who were trying to withdraw the 14th and 16th Batteries R.F.A., when detachments of serving them had all been killed, wounded or driven from them by the Boer sharpshooters at close range, and helped to limber up one of the guns that were saved. For this deed of gallantry he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
SERVED IN THE GREAT WAR
Ravenhill, although his death was sudden, had been far from well for some time. He was a well-built man, and stood six feet high. When the present war broke out he again offered his services, and was discharged with a disability pension after being in the army about three years.
He leaves eight children. Of the five living in Nechells the eldest is 14 and the youngest 2½ and they are stated to be practically destitute. They are certainly living under deplorable housing conditions, which must be detrimental to their health.
It is hoped that a military funeral may be arranged for next Saturday. The local branch of the Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers, Comrades of the Great War and Officers’ Association is making every effort to ensure the gallant V.C. receiving such a funeral, with honours, as well as to relieve, as far as practicable, the present great distress of the family.
 
George Ravenhill Part 3 of 4

BIRMINGHAM DAILY MAIL WEDNESDAY 20 APRIL 1921
BIRMINGHAM V.C.’s MILITARY FUNERAL
With regard to the interment of Private Ravenhill V.C., whose death was announced on Monday, we are informed by the N.F.D.D.S and S that a message has been received from the Secretary for War stating that arrangements are being made by the General Officer-in-Chief, Southern Command, Salisbury, for a military funeral and that the question of pension for the dependents has been referred to the appropriate departments.
The General Officer Commanding, Southern Command, has been notified this morning of the local arrangements for a military funeral with honours on Saturday which are being made by Colonel Mudge, C.M.G., O.C. Troops, Birmingham Area.
Owing to the present industrial trouble Ravenhill’s old Regiment, the Royal Scots Fusiliers, which is at present quartered at Ayr, Scotland, will not be represented at the funeral, and the adjutant, in making announcement to this effect, regrets that the Regiment will not have the opportunity of this paying tribute to its gallant comrade. The regiment, however, is sending a wreath. It is also stated that the regimental headquarters has under consideration the question of financial assistance.
Mr Evelyn Cecil M.P. has written expressing his sympathy with Mrs Ravenhill and her family.
BIRMINGHAM GAZETTE. THURSDAY APRIL 21 1921
HERO OF COLENSO
ARRANGEMENTS FOR BURIAL OF LATE PRIVATE RAVENHILL V.C.
A military funeral with honours for the late Private Ravenhill V.C., who died on Thursday at his home at Long Acre, Nechells, has been arranged for Saturday morning. The funeral will take place at Witton Cemetery at 11 o’clock.
It is asked that all members of the N.F.D.D.S and S., the Comrades of the Great War and the Officers’ Association who wish to be present will be at Long Acre no later than 9.30.
The entire funeral expenses are being paid for by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, and the Government grant of £7.10s has therefore been handed to the widow to help to purchase clothing for herself and her five children.
The adjutant of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, of which Regiment Private Ravenhill was a member, when he won the V.C. at Colenso, regrets that owing to the present industrial crisis the regiment cannot be represented at the funeral. A wreath is being sent as a tribute from the R.S.F.

BIRMINGHAM GAZETTE. FRIDAY APRIL 22 1921
DEAD V.C.’s “LEGACY”
WIFE AND CHILDREN LEFT IN POVERTY
With the object of rendering assistance to the widow and children of the late Private G.Ravenhill V.C., whose funeral will take place tomorrow, a concert is being arranged by Councillor Norman Dean, to take place at the George Hotel, Saltley Road, Birmingham, on 6 May. Mr Dean states that the family are in urgent need.
Mr John Davison, Labour (Smethwick), asked the Lord Privy Seal, in the Commons yesterday, whether his attention had been called to the case of Private George Ravenhill V.C., 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, who had just died under distressing circumstances in Long Acre, Nechells, Birmingham; whether he is aware that this soldier occupied a one-room tenement, with his wife and five children, whose ages ranged from 2½ to 14 years; that they were practically destitute, and living under conditions detrimental to their health; and whether her would take steps to provide adequate maintenance and decent housing accommodation for the family.
Lieutenant-Colonel, the Hon.E.F.Stanley, who replied, said while it was true that this soldier was awarded the V.C. in 1901, there were special features connected with this case as to which he was communicating with the hon.member.
BIRMINGHAM MAIL, SATURDAY APRIL 23 1921
Text under photograph of coffin on a horse-drawn gun carriage.
BIRMINGHAM V.C.’s MILITARY FUNERAL
Large crowds assembled near the house in Long Acre and at Witton Cemetery this morning, when Private Ravenhill V.C., formerly of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, was buried with military honours. The band of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers, under the direction of Mr F.Hinken, accompanied the procession, and rendered the Dead March from ‘Saul’ and Chopin’s Funeral March as they passed through crowded streets in Aston and Nechells to the cemetery. The coffin, covered with floral tributes, was borne on a gun carriage, and a contingent of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment from Great Brook Street Barracks formed the firing party. At the cemetery the service was conducted by the Rev. W.Grome Merrilees, the ‘Last Post’ being sounded and a salute fired over the grave.
Among those present in a representative capacity were Mr F.J.Passmore, of the Comrades of the Great War; Mr G.A.Sutton, of the N.F.D.D.S and S. There attended on behalf of the Joint Committee of the Birmingham ex-soldiers’ organizations Messrs W.Yates and E.W.Plumstead, H.R.Barker and A.E.Walker. Captain H.Witts represented the Aston branch of the N.F.D.D.S and S, and Quartermaster-sergt Lucas and Sergt.J.Chamberlain, Legion of Frontiersmen.
The floral tributes included an emblem in the form of a Victoria Cross in red, white and blue flowers from the depot of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. “In memory of a very gallant ‘Scots Fusilier’ “ and there were wreaths from the Birmingham Division of the Corps of Commissionaires, the Birmingham Ex-Serviceman’s Joint Committee, the neighbours and the Unemployed ex-Service men in Birmingham.
On the return journey the band played “Sword and Lance” and “Belphegor”. The police arrangements were in the hands of Inspector Baker.
BIRMINGHAM GAZETTE – MONDAY 25 APRIL 1921
V.C.’s FUNERAL
IMPRESSIVE SCENES AT WITTON CEMETERY
The funeral in Birmingham on Saturday of Private Ravenhill who, while serving with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers in the South African campaign won the Victoria Cross at Colenso, was witnessed by several hundred people.
Men belonging to the Warwickshire Regiment carried the coffin to the waiting gun carriage. Headed by soldiers, with arms reversed, the cortege proceeded slowly to Witton Cemetery. The coffin, placed on a gun carriage, was draped with the Union Jack.
‘The Dead March’ and Chopin’s ‘Funeral March’ played by the band of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Soldiers and Sailors added to the impressiveness of the scene.
At the graveside the last rites were performed by the Rev. W.Grome-Merrilees. Three volleys fired over the grave were followed by the sounding of the ‘Last Post’.
Private G.Ravenhill had lived with his wife and five children in a small tenement and they were left in such abject poverty that the various ex-Servicemen’s organizations came to the rescue. The Lord Mayor (Alderman William A.Cadbury) defrayed the expenses of the funeral.
BIRMINGHAM GAZETTE – TUESDAY 26 APRIL 1921
V.C. WIDOW’S THANKS
Mrs F.Ravenhill of 13, back 120, Long Acre, Nechells, whose husband , a V.C., was buried on Saturday last with full military honours, writes on behalf of herself and five children, expressing heartfelt thanks for the many expressions of sympathy.
It will be remembered that the relatives of the dead hero were in straightened circumstances, and the widow adds: ‘Mr F.Bradford persevered to make my sad case known, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart’.

COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION WEB SITE

Records date of death in 1921 and gives regiment as ‘Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry’ with a service number of 28287. Cemetery given as ‘Birmingham (Witton) Cemetery, Screen Wall. 47. 08654’. The cemetery contains 459 First World War burials, more than 200 of which form three denominational war plots marked by Screen Walls bearing the names of those buried there and in graves elsewhere in the cemetery which could not be individually marked. The number of those buried reflects the four important War hospitals in Birmingham.
In addition his Medal Index Card shows service in the 2nd Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment (17136) before transfer to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. It is likely that whilst with the Hampshires he was part of a draft of 300 other ranks who landed at Lemnos as reinforcements on July 17 1915. Many died in an attack on Turkish trenches at Cape Helles on August 6th. His 1915 service entitled him to the 1915 Star. His medal card gives the Balkans as a theatre of war in which he served.

THE SWARTKOP CHALLENGE
In April 2005 two British Army teams were based at Mambasa Camp on the bansk of the Tugela River near Winterton for the annual challenge which duplicates the feat of arms in 1900 when 14 guns were mounted on the summit of Swartkop for the Battle of Vaalkranz. This involved pulling a replica 12-pounder gun to the summit.
Whilst the Royal Artillery were taking part a group from the Royal Highland Fusiliers were also in South Africa on an Adventure Training expedition. They found the time to lay a wreath at their Regimental Memorial at Colenso in honour of the valour of the VC awarded to George Ravenhill of their Regiment in recovering the guns.
 
Thanks Chris that's useful - They gallantly won the George Medal. Your site does reference Section Commander G. W. INWOOD, 15/16th October 1940 who won the George Cross.

The George Medal (GM) is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.
The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage. The existing awards open to civilians were not judged suitable to meet the new situation, therefore it was decided that the George Cross and the George Medal would be instituted to recognise both civilian gallantry in the face of enemy action and brave deeds more generally.
Announcing the new award, the King said: "In order that they should be worthily and promptly recognised, I have decided to create, at once, a new mark of honour for men and women in all walks of civilian life. I propose to give my name to this new distinction, which will consist of the George Cross, which will rank next to the Victoria Cross, and the George Medal for wider distribution."
 
Aiden, Re: G Ravenhill VC.
This under lines the problems with the UK goverments of various time frames willing to de fray funeral expenses but leaves the helping of family to the services organisations but no help for poor George whilst living having to turn to crime to exsist and proberly to keep out of the dreaded "poor house", no pension or remedial help at all for him or his family, dreadful state of affaires, which continues to-day with some maimed and wounded service men having to fight tooth and nail to get decent compensation.
paul
 
Paul - I totally agree, deplorable. For a modern day view take the latest person on the list:

His citation is a bit grim and takes up the whole two pages of the Gazette Supplementary, but you can read it here https://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/57587/supplements/3369

Summary: Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC (born 26 July 1979), of the 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, is a British Army soldier who, on 18 March 2005, was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valour in the British and Commonwealth armed forces, for twice saving members of his unit from ambushes on 1 May and again on 11 June, 2004 at Al-Amarah, Iraq. He sustained serious head injuries in the latter engagement. Beharry was formally invested with the Victoria Cross by Queen Elizabeth II on 27 April, 2005. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_Beharry for further details.

He required brain surgery for his head injuries and was treated at Selly Oak Hospital. He spoke out on BBC News on 28 February 2009 criticising the lack of support for ex-servicemen and women suffering from mental health problems, and revealing his own ongoing flashbacks and other symptoms. He is currently estranged from his wife Lynthia Beharry. Beharry said in an official statement released through the Ministry of Defence that the trauma of his war experiences had caused "difficulties" in his marriage.

Quotes:

"It's been rather a long time since I've awarded one of these."—the Queen, when awarding Private Beharry his VC.

"I was overshadowed today by Private Beharry, and quite rightly so - it was an honour to stand alongside him"—General Sir Mike Jackson, who was being invested by the Queen on the same day that Private Beharry received his VC. Jackson was there to receive the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath; by protocol, the Victoria Cross is always the first award presented at any investiture.
 
George Onions VC

He was 35 years old, and a Lance-Corporal in the 1st Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 22 August 1918 south of Achiet-le-Petit, France, Lance-Corporal Onions, having been sent out with one man to get in touch with the battalion on the right flank, saw the enemy advancing in large numbers. Seizing his opportunity, he boldly placed himself and his comrade on the flank of the advancing enemy and opened fire. When the enemy were about 100 yards from him the line wavered and some hands were thrown up, whereupon the lance-corporal rushed forward and helped by his comrade, took about 200 of the enemy prisoners and marched them back to his company commander.

He was later commissioned into the Rifle Brigade. After World War I, Onions served in the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary.[1] In 1939 he was commissioned a Captain in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment for National Defence, but resigned his commission in 1941. He saw previous service with the 3rd Hussars Reserve Regiment in the Irish Rebellion in Dublin, Easter 1916. Also with the 3rd King's Own Hussars and 1st Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (No.947)

He was awarded his medal outside Sale Town Hall on the 14th February 1919 with over two thousand people coming to see him. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Military Museum of Devon and Dorset (Dorchester, Dorset, England). Gazette citation at https://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31067/supplements/14778

Born Bilston, Staffordshire March 2, 1883
lived in Birmingham from circa 1936 till his death in April 2, 1944.
His last address was at 4 Hagley Court, Hagley Road, Edgbaston. The painting of him shown here was commissioned for the Devonshire Regiment.
Buried Quinton Cemetery
 
The George Cross was instituted on 24 September 1940 (70 years ago today) by King George VI. At this time, during the height of the Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage. The existing awards open to civilians were not judged suitable to meet the new situation, therefore it was decided that the George Cross and the George Medal would be instituted to recognise both civilian gallantry in the face of enemy action and brave deeds more generally.

Announcing the new award, the King said: "In order that they should be worthily and promptly recognised, I have decided to create, at once, a new mark of honour for men and women in all walks of civilian life. I propose to give my name to this new distinction, which will consist of the George Cross, which will rank next to the Victoria Cross, and the George Medal for wider distribution."

The George Cross (GC) is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. The GC is the civilian counterpart of the Victoria Cross (VC) and the highest gallantry award for civilians as well as for military personnel in actions which are not in the face of the enemy or for which purely military honours would not normally be granted.
 
Herbert James was born in Birmingham on 13 November 1888. He initially took up teaching posts at two Birmingham schools, but being of a roving disposition, in April 1909 he enlisted into the 21st Lancers as a Trooper and embarked for Egypt. By the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914 James was serving as a Lance-Corporal in India, but he was quickly appointed a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Bn, Worcestershire Regiment and in March 1915 embarked for the Dardanelles.

[ London Gazette, 1 September 1915 ], Gully Ravine, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey, 28 June & 3rd July 1915, 2nd Lieutenant Herbert James, 4th Bn, Worcestershire Regiment:
For most conspicuous bravery during the operations in the Southern Zone of the Gallipoli Peninsula.
On the 28th June 1915, when a portion of a Regiment had been checked owing to all the Officers being put out of action, Second Lieutenant James, who belonged to a neighbouring unit, entirely on his own initiative gathered together a body of men and led them forward under heavy shell and rifle fire. He then returned, organised a second party, and again advanced. His gallant example put fresh life into the attack.

On the 3rd July, in the same locality, Second Lieutenant James headed a party of bomb throwers up a Turkish communication trench, and, after nearly all his bomb throwers had been killed or wounded, he remained alone at the head of the trench and kept back the enemy single-handed till a barrier had been built behind him and the trench secured. He was throughout exposed to a murderous fire.

[London Gazette, 15 October 1918 ], for the award of the Military Cross, Lieutenant ( T / Captain ) Herbert James, 1st Bn, Worcestershire Regiment:
During an attack, he rode forward when the situation was obscure under heavy fire, and brought back most valuable information. He then reorganised and led forward parties of men from other units and skilfully formed a defensive flank where a gap had occurred, exposing himself for many hours to a very heavy fire.
By his gallantry, coolness, and utter disregard of personal safety, he set a splendid example to all ranks.

By the mid-1950s James was separated from his second wife and renting a back room flat at Brunswick Gardens, Kensington, apparently making a living as a fine art dealer. It was here in August 1958 that he was found by his landlord lying unconcious - it appeared that he had a seizure but remained undiscovered for six days. None of his fellow residents had any idea he was a Victoria Cross winner, for James lived a very reclusive life, had no visitors or took no telephone calls.


The painting by Gilbert Holiday shows Lieutenant James with two rifles and a sack of "Jam Pot" bombs holding the trench single-handed. This painting was presented to the Worcestershire Regiment by the late Lieutenant J. M. P. Baird.
 
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