The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

Regiment/
Battalion

Crimean War

First World War

Temp. Lt. Thomas Orde Lawder Wilkinson, late N. Lan. R.
    For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack, when a party of another unit was retiring without their machine gun, Lieutenant Wilkinson rushed forward and, with two of his men, got the gun into action, and held up the enemy till they were relieved.
    Later, when the advance was checked during a bombing attack, he forced his way forward and found four or five men of different units stopped by a solid block of earth, over which the enemy was throwing bombs.
    With great pluck and promptness he mounted a machine gun on the top "of the parapet and dispersed the enemy bombers. Subsequently he made two most gallant attempts to bring in a wounded man, but the second attempt he was shot through the heart just before reaching the man.
    Throughout the day he set a magnificent example of courage and self-sacrifice.
 

No. 8655 Private Henry Kenny, 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
     For most conspicuous bravery. Private Kenny went out on six different occasions on one day under a very heavy shell, rifle and machine-gun fire, and each time succeeded in carrying to a place of safety a wounded man who had been lying in the open. He was himself wounded in the neck whilst handing the last man over the parapet.

Lt. Richard Basil Brandram Jones, L.N. Lan. R.
     For most conspicuous bravery. He holding with his platoon a crater recently captured from the enemy. About 7.30 p.m. the enemy exploded a mine forty yards to his right, and at the same time put a heavy barrage of fire on our trenches, thus isolating the platoon. They then attacked in overwhelming numbers. .Lt. Jones kept his men together, steadying them by his fine example, and shot no less than fifteen of the enemy as they advanced, counting them aloud as he did so to cheer his men. When his ammunition was expended he book a bomb, but was shot through the head while getting up to throw it.
    His splendid courage had so encouraged his men that when they had no more ammunition or bombs they threw stones and ammunition boxes at the enemy till only nine of the platoon were left. Finally they were compelled to retire.

Second World War

War Office, 20th June, 1943.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the VICTORIA CROSS to: —
Lieutenant Wilwood Alexander Sandys Clarke (86517), The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) (Egerton, nr. Bolton).
     For most conspicuous gallantry in action at Guiriat El Atach on the 23rd April, 1943.
     By dawn on that date, during the attack on the Guiriat El Atach feature, Lieutenant Clarke's Battalion had been fully committed. " B " Company gained their objective but were counter-attacked and almost wiped out. The sole remaining officer was Lieutenant Clarke, who, already wounded in the head, gathered a composite platoon together and volunteered to attack the position again.
      As the platoon closed on to the objective, it was met by heavy fire from a machine-gun post. Lieutenant Clarke manoeuvred his platoon into position to give covering fire, and then tackled the post single-handed, killing or capturing the crew and knocking out the gun. Almost at once the platoon came under heavy fire from two more machine-gun posts. Lieutenant Clarke again manoeuvred his platoon into position and went forward alone, killed the crews or compelled them to surrender, and put the guns out of action. This officer then led his platoon on to the objective and ordered it to consolidate. During consolidation, the platoon came under fire from two sniper posts. Without hesitating, Lieutenant Clarke advanced single-handed to clear the opposition, but was killed outright within a few feet of the enemy.
     This officer's quick grasp of the situation and his brilliant leadership undoubtedly restored the situation, whilst his outstanding personal bravery and tenacious devotion to duty were an inspiration to his Company and were beyond praise.