The Royal Berkshire Regiment

Regiment/Battalion

Crimean War 1854 - 1856

Greatly distinguished himself on the 30th October, 1854, in personal encounter with the Russians, and nobly assisted Major Conolly, Coldstream Guards.

(See below re: Conolly)

LG 24th February 1857

Highly distinguished himself at the Battle of Inkerman, in having rescued Brigadier-General Adams, C.B., when surrounded by Russians, one of whom he bayonetted.

Brevet-Major
John Augustus Conolly
 (Late 49th Regiment)

LG 5th May 1857

Brevet-Major John Augustus Conolly
Date of Act of Bravery, 26th October, 1854.

    In the attack by the Russians against the position held by the Second Division, 26th
October, 1854, Major Conolly, then a Lieutenant in the 49th Regiment, while in command of a company of that regiment, on outlying picket, made himself most conspicuous by the gallantry of his behaviour. He came particularly under the observation of the late Field-Marshal Lord Raglan, while in personal encounter with several Russians, in defence of his post. He ultimately fell, dangerously wounded. Lieutenant Conolly was highly praised in General Orders, and promoted into the Coldstream Guards, as a reward for his exemplary behaviour on this occasion. 

Anglo-Boer War 1899 - 1902

Private William House

During the attack on Mosilikatse Nek, on 2nd August, 1900, when a Sergeant, who had gone forward to reconnoitre, was wounded, Private House rushed out from cover (though cautioned not to do so, as the fire
from the enemy was very hot), picked up the wounded Sergeant, and endeavoured to bring him into shelter, in doing which Private House was himself severely wounded. He, however, warned his comrades not to come to his assistance, the fire being so severe.

The grant of the Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field to Private House which was notified the London Gazette of 27th September, 1901, is hereby cancelled.

House died by his own hand at Dover on the 28th February 1912, when apparently cleaning his rifle, he shot himself through the head.

First World War  1914 - 1918

Second Lieutenant Alexander Buller Turner, 3rd Battalion (attached 1st Battalion), Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment). For most conspicuous bravery on 28th September, 1915, at " Fosse 8," near Vermelles.
    When the regimental bombers could make no headway in Slag Alley, Second Lieutenant Turner volunteered to lead a new bombing attack: He pressed "down the communication trench practically alone, throwing bombs incessantly with "such dash -and determination that he drove back the Germans about 150 yards without a check. His action enabled the reserves to advance with --very-little less, and subsequently covered the flank of his regiment in, its retirement, thus probably averting a loss 'of some hundreds' of men. This most gallant Officer has since died of wounds received in this action.

     No. 8763 Lce.-Cpl. James Welch, R. Berk. For most conspicuous bravery.
    On entering the enemy trench, he killed one man after a severe hand-to-hand struggle. Armed only with an empty revolver, L/Cpl. Welch then chased four of the enemy across the open and captured them single-handed. He handled his machine gun with the utmost fearlessness, and more than once went into the open fully exposed to heavy fire at short range, to search for and collect ammunition and spare parts in order to keep his guns in action, which he succeeded in doing For over five hours till wounded by a shell. He showed throughout the utmost valour and initiative.