The Sherwood Foresters
(Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment)

LG =London Gazette

Regiment/Battalion

Indian Mutiny 1857-59

Private Bernard M'Quirt
Date of Act of Bravery, 6th January, 1858

For gallant conduct on the 6th of January 1858, at the capture of the entrenched town of Rowa, when he was severely and dangerously wounded in a hand to hand fight with three men, of whom he killed one and wounded another. He received five sabre cuts and a musket shot in this service.

Punjab Frontier 1895-97

This Officer, during the attack on the Dargai Heights on the 20th October, 1897, when Captain W. E. G. Smith, Derbyshire Regiment, was struck down, ran to his assistance and made two distinct attempts, under "a perfect hail of bullets," to carry and drag him back to cover, and only desisted when he found that he was dead.

Anglo-Boer War 1899 - 1902

Private Bees was one of the Maxim-gun detachment, which at Moedwil, on the 30th September, 1901, had six men hit out of nine. Hearing his wounded comrades asking for water, he went forward, under a heavy fire, to a spruit held by Boers about 500 yards ahead of the gun, and brought back a kettle full of water. In going and returning he had to pass within 100 yards of some rocks also held by Boers, and the kettle which he was carrying was hit by several bullets.

Corporal H. Beet

At Wakkerstroom, on the 22nd April, 1900, No. 2 Mounted Infantry Company, 1st Battalion Derbyshire Regiment, with two squadrons, Imperial Yeomanry, had to retire from near a farm, under a ridge held by Boers. Corporal Burnett, Imperial Yeomanry, was left on the ground wounded, and Corporal Beet, on seeing him, remained behind and placed him under cover, bound up his wounds, and by firing prevented the Boers from coming down to the farm till dark, when Doctor Wilson, Imperial Yeomanry, came to the wounded man's assistance. The retirement was carried out under a very heavy fire, and Corporal Beet was exposed to fire during the whole afternoon.

First World War  1914 - 1918

No. 71130 Cpl. Ernest Albert Egerton,. Notts. & Derby. R. (Loragton).
   For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty when, during attack, owing to fog and smoke, visibility was obscured, and, in consequence thereof, the two leading waves of the attack passed over certain hostile dug-outs without clearing them. Enemy rifles, assisted by a machinegun, were, from these dug-outs, inflicting severe casualties on the advancing waves. When volunteers were called for to assist in clearing up the situation, Cpl. Egerton at once jumped up and dashed for the dug-outs under heavy fire at short range.
   He shot in succession a rifleman, a bomber and a gunner, by which time he was supported and 29 of the enemy surrendered.
    The reckless bravery of this N.C.O. relieved in less than thirty seconds an extremely difficult situation. His gallantry is beyond all praise.

No. 23715 Actg. Cpl. Fred Greaves, Notts. & Derby. R. (Balborough).
    For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and leadership, when his platoon was temporarily held up by machine-gun fire from a concrete stronghold. Seeing that his platoon commander and serjeant were casualties, and- realising that unless this post was taken quickly his men would lose the barrage, Cpl. Greaves, followed by another non-commissioned officer, rushed forward regardless of his personal safety, reached the rear of the building and bombed the occupants, killing or capturing the garrison, and taking four enemy machine-guns.
    It was solely due to the personal pluck, dash and initiative of this non-commissioned officer that the assaulting line at this point was not held up, and that our troops escaped serious casualties.
    Later in the afternoon, at a most critical period of the battle, when the troops of a flank brigade had given way temporarily under a heavy counter-attack and when all the officers in his company were casualties, this gallant non-commissioned officer quickly grasped the situation. He collected his men, threw out extra posts on the threatened flank, and opened up rifle and machine-gun fire to enfilade the advance.
    The effect of Cpl. Greaves' conduct on his men throughout the battle cannot be overestimated, and those under his command responded gallantly to his example.

Capt. (T./Lt.-Col.) Charles Edward Hudson, D.S.O., M.C.,.Notts. & Derby. R.
   For most conspicuous bravery and devoition to duty when his battalion was holding the right front sector during an attack on the British front.
    The shelling had been very heavy on the right, the trench destroyed, and considerable casualties had occurred, and all the officers on the spot were killed or wounded. This enabled the enemy to penetrate our front line.
    The enemy pushed their advance as far as the support line which was the key to our right flank. The situation demanded immediate action. Lt.-Col. Hudson, recognising its gravity, at once collected various headquarter details, such as orderlies, servants, runners, etc., and, together with some Allies, personally led them up the hill.
    Driving the enemy dawn the hill towards our front, line, he again led a party of about five up the trench, where there were about 200 enemy, in order to attack them from the flank. He then with, two men got out of the trench and rushed the position, shouting to the enemy to surrender, some of whom did. He was then severely wounded by a bomb which exploded on his foot. Although in great pain, he gave directions for the counter-attack to be continued, and this was done successfully, about 100 prisoners and six machine-guns being taken.
    Without doubt the high courage and determination displayed by Lt.-Col. Hudson saved a serious situation, and had it not been for his quick determination in organising the counter-attack a large number of the enemy would have dribbled through, and counterattack on a larger scale would have been necessary to restore the situation.

No. 306122 Sjt. William Henry Johnson, l/5th Bn., Notts. & Derby. R. (T.F.) (Worksop).
   For most conspicuous bravery at Ramicourt on the 3rd of October, 1918.
   When his platoon was held up by a nest of enemy machine guns at very close range, Sjt. Johnson worked his way forward under very heavy fire, and single-handed charged the post, bayoneting several gunners and capturing two machine guns. During this attack he was severely wounded by a bomb, but continued to lead forward his men.
   Shortly afterwards the line was once more held up by machine guns. Again he rushed forward and attacked the post single handed. With wonderful courage he bombed the garrison, put the guns out of action, and captured the teams.
   He showed throughout the most exceptional gallantry and devotion to duty.
 

No. 6016 Private Jacob Rivers, late 1st Battalion, The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment.
    For most conspicuous bravery at Neuve Chapelle on 12th March, 1915, when he, on his own initiative, crept to within a few yards of a very large number of the enemy who were massed on the flank of an advanced company of his battalion, and hurled bombs on them. His action caused the enemy to retire, and so relieved the situation.
    Private Rivers performed a second act of great bravery on the same day, similar to the first-mentioned, again causing the enemy to retire. He was killed on this occasion.

No. 10082 Corporal James Upton, 1st Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment).
    For most conspicuous bravery near Rouges Bancs on 9th May, 1915. During the whole of this day Corporal Upton, displayed the greatest courage in rescuing the wounded whilst exposed to very heavy rifle and artillery fire, going close to the enemy's parapet regardless of his own personal safety. One wounded man was killed by a shell whilst this Non-commissioned Officer was carrying him.
    When Corporal Upton was not actually carrying in the wounded he was engaged in bandaging and dressing the serious cases in front of our parapet, exposed to the enemy's fire.
 

Capt. (A./Lt.-Col ) Bernard William Vann, M.C., late 1/8th Bn., attd. 1/6th Bn., Notts. & Derby. R. (T.F.).
    For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and fine leadership during the attack at Bellenglise and Lehaucourt on September 29th, 1918.
   He led his battalion with great skill across the Canal Du Nord through a very thick fog and under heavy fire from field and machine guns.
    On reaching the high ground above Bellenglise the whole attack was held up by fire of all descriptions from the front and right flank.
    Realising that everything depended on the advance going forward with the barrage, Col. Vann rushed up to the firing line and with the greatest gallantry led the line forward. By his prompt action and absolute contempt for danger the whole situation was changed, the men were encouraged and the line swept forward.
   Later, he rushed a field-gun single-handed and knocked out three of the detachment. The success of the day was in no small degree due to the splendid gallantry and fine leadership displayed by this officer.
    Lt.-Col. Vann, who had on all occasions set the highest example: of valour, was killed near Ramicourt on 3rd October, 1918, when leading his battalion in attack.
 

Second Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Charles Geoffrey Vickers, 1st/7th (Robin Hood) Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), Territorial Force.
    For- most conspicuous bravery on 14th October, 1915, in the Hohenzollern redoubt.
    When nearly all his men had been killed or wounded, and with only two men available to hand him bombs, Captain Vickers held a barrier for some hours against heavy German bomb attacks from front and flank. Regardless of the fact that his own retreat would be cut off, he had ordered a second barrier to be built behind him in order to ensure the safety of the trench. Finally he was severely wounded, but not before his magnificent courage and determination had enabled the second barrier to be completed. A critical situation was thus saved.
 

Lt. (temp. Capt.) Albert Ball, D.S.O., M.C., late Notts. and Derby. R., and R.F.C.
    For most conspicuous and consistent bravery from the 25th of April to the 6th of May, 1917, during which period Capt. Ball took part in twenty-six combats in the air and destroyed eleven hostile aeroplanes, drove down two out of control, and forced several others to land. In these combats Capt. Ball, flying alone, on one occasion fought six hostile machines, twice he fought five and once four. When leading two other British aeroplanes he attacked an enemy formation of eight. On each of these occasions he brought down at least one enemy.
    Several times his aeroplane was badly damaged, once so seriously that but for the most delicate handling his machine would have collapsed, as nearly all the control wires had been shot away. On returning with a damaged machine he had always to be restrained from immediately going out on another.
    In all, Capt. Ball has destroyed forty-three German aeroplanes and one balloon, and has always displayed most exceptional courage, determination and skill.
 

Second World War 1939-45

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:—
Lieutenant (temporary Captain) John Henry Cound Brunt, M.C. (258297), The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) (Paddock Wood, Kent).

   In Italy, on the 9th December, 1944, the Platoon commanded by Captain Brunt was holding a vital sector of the line.
    At dawn the German 90 Panzer Grenadier Division counter-attacked the Battalion's forward positions in great strength with three Mark IV tanks and infantry. The house, around which the Platoon was dug in, was destroyed and the whole area was subjected to intense mortar fire. The situation then became critical, as the anti-tank defences had been destroyed and two Sherman tanks knocked out. Captain Brunt, however, rallied his remaining men, and, moving to an alternative position, continued to hold the enemy infantry, although outnumbered by at least three to one. Personally firing a Bren gun, Captain Brunt killed about fourteen of the enemy. His wireless set was destroyed by shell-fire, but on receiving a message by runner to withdraw to a Company locality some 200 yards to his left and rear, he remained behind to give covering fire. When his Bren ammunition was exhausted, he fired a Piat and 2 in. Mortar, left by casualties, before he himself clashed over the open ground to the new position. This aggressive defence caused the enemy to pause, so Captain Brunt took a party back to his previous position, and although fiercely engaged by small arms fire, carried away the wounded who had been left there.
    Later in the day, a further counter-attack was put in by the enemy on two axes. Captain Brunt immediately seized a spare Bren gun and, going round his forward positions, rallied his men. Then, leaping on a Sherman tank supporting the Company, he ordered the tank commander to drive from one fire position to another, whilst he sat, or stood, on the turret, directing Besa fire at the advancing enemy, regardless of the hail of small arms fire. Then, seeing small parties of the enemy, armed with bazookas, trying to approach round the left flank, he jumped off the tank and, taking a Bren gun, stalked these parties well in front of the Company positions, killing more and causing the enemy finally to withdraw in great haste leaving their dead behind them.
    Wherever the fighting was heaviest, Captain Brunt was always to be found, moving from one post to another, encouraging the men and firing any weapon he found at any target he could see. The magnificent action fought by this Officer, his coolness, bravery, devotion to duty and complete disregard of his own personal safety under the most intense and concentrated fire was beyond praise. His personal example and individual action were responsible to a very great extent for the successful repulse of these fierce enemy counter-attacks. The next day Captain Brant was killed by mortar fire.