Victoria Crosses of the Rifle Brigade

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	The Victoria Crosses of the Rifle Brigade
	1854 - 1942



	Battalion	Date/ Location	Name	Citation

Crimea
1	1st	20/11/1854 Crimea	Brevet-Major Claude Thomas Bourchier	Highly distinguished at the capture of the Rifle Pits, 20th November, 1854. His gallant conduct was recorded in the French General Orders. ( See William James Cuninghame citation below.) LG 24/2/1857

2	1st	12/10/1854 Crimea	Private F. Wheatley	Wheatley and some other Riflemen were occupying a section of the trenches before Sevastopol when a live Russian shell fell amongst the men. Without hesitation Wheatley seized hold of the shell and endeavoured to knock the fuse out with the butt of his rifle. He was unsuccessful at the first attempt and so, with great presence of mind and deliberation he managed somehow to heave it over the parapet of the trench. It had scarcely fallen outside when it exploded. Had it not been for his coolness, presence of mind and supreme courage and discipline, the shell would have inevitably exploded amongst the party causing serious casualties, but instead not a man was hurt.

3	2nd	22/4/1855 Crimea	3471 Private Joseph Bradshaw	A Russian Rifle Pit, situated among the rocks overhanging the Woronzoff Road between the 3rd parallel, Right Attack, and the Quarries, (at that period in possession of the enemy), was occupied every night by the Russians, and their Riflemen commanded a portion of the Left Attack, and impeded the work in a new Battery then being erected on the extreme right front of the 2nd parallel, Left Attack. It was carried in daylight on the 22nd of April, 1855, by two Riflemen, one of whom was Private Bradshaw; he has since received the French War Medal. The Rifle Pit was subsequently destroyed on further support being obtained. LG 24/2/1857 also see Humpston below.

4	1st	5/11/1854 Crimea	Brevet-Major Hon. Henry H. Clifford.	For conspicuous courage at the Battle of Inkerman, in leading a charge and killing one of the enemy with his sword, disabling another, and saving the life of a soldier. LG 24/2/1857

5	1st	20/11/1854 Crimea	Captain William James Cuninghame	Highly distinguished at the capture of the Rifle Pits, 20th November, 1854. His gallant conduct was recorded in the French General Orders. Lieutenant Cuninghame, with another lieutenant (Claude Thomas Bourchier) was with a party detailed to drive the Russians from some rifle pits. Advancing on the pits after dark they launched a surprise attack and drove the Russian riflemen from their cover, but in the fierce fighting which ensued the officer in command of the party was killed. The two lieutenants, however, maintained their advantage, withstood all attacks from the enemy during the night and held the position until relieved next day. LG 24/2/1857

6	2nd	18/6/1855 20/9/1854 Crimea	Lieutenant John Knox	When serving as a Serjeant in the Scots Fusilier Guards, Lieutenant Knox was conspicuous for his exertions in reforming the ranks of the Guards at the Battle of the Alma. Subsequently, when in the Rifle Brigade, he volunteered for the ladder-party in the attack on the Redan, on the 18th of June, and (in the words of Captain Blackett, under whose command he was,) behaved admirably, remaining on the field until twice wounded. LG 24/2/1857

7	2nd	22/4/1855 Crimea	No. 2638 Private Robert Humpston	A Russian Rifle Pit, situated among the rocks overhanging the Woronzoff Road, between the 3rd parallel, Right Attack, and the Quarries (at that period in possession of the enemy), was occupied every night by the Russians, and their Riflemen commanded a portion of the Left Attack, and impeded the work in a new battery then being erected on the extreme right front of the 2nd parallel, Left Attack. It was carried in daylight on the 22nd of April, 1855, by two riflemen, one of whom was Private Humpston; he received a gratuity of 5l., and was promoted. The Rifle Pit was subsequently destroyed on further support being obtained LG 24/2/1857

8	2nd	22/4/1855 & ?/7/1855 Crimea	No. 2074-Private R. McGregor	At the Quarries, a bandsman going to fetch water from a well in front of the advanced trench, was killed. A number of men at once rushed out determined to drive the Russian riflemen from the pits which they occupied. Private McGregor and two others were the first to reach the Russians, whom they drove out, killing some For courageous conduct when employed as a sharpshooter in the advanced trenches in the month of July, 1855; a Rifle Pit was occupied by two Russians, who annoyed our troops by their fire. Private McGregor crossed the open space under fire, and taking cover under a rock, dislodged them, and occupied the pit.
Indian Mutiny 1858
9	2nd	11/3/1858 Lucknow India	Captain (now Brevet-Major) Henry Wilmot	For conspicuous gallantry at Lucknow on the 11th March, 1858. Captain Wilmot's Company was engaged with a large body of the enemy, near the Iron Bridge. That officer found himself at the end of a street with only four of his men, opposed to a considerable body. One of the four was shot through both legs, and became utterly helpless: the two men lifted him up, and although Private Hawkes was severely wounded, he carried him for a considerable distance, exposed to the fire of the enemy, Captain Wilmot firing with the men's rifles, and covering the retreat of the party. Despatch of Brigadier-General Walpole, C.B., dated 20th of March, 1858 LG 24/12/1858
10			Corporal W. Nash
11			Private David Hawkes

12	3rd	13/6/1858 Lucknow India	Private Same Shaw	For the Act of Bravery recorded in a despatch from Major-General James Hope Grant, K.C.B., Commanding the Lucknow Field Force, to the Deputy Adjutant-General of the Army, of which the following is an extract: Nowabegunge, 7th June, 1858. I have to bring to notice the conduct of Private Same Shaw, of the 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade, who is recommended by his Commanding Officer for the Victoria Cross. - " An armed rebel had been seen to enter a tope of trees. Some officers and men ran into the tope in pursuit of him. This man was a Ghazee. Private Shaw drew his short sword, and with that weapon rushed single-handed on the Ghazee. Shaw received a severe tulwar wound, but after a desperate struggle, he killed the man. I trust his Excellency will allow me to recommend this man for the Victoria Cross, and that he will approve of my having issued a Division Order, stating that I have done so." LG 26/10/1858
Fenian Raids Canada 1866
13	1st	9/6/1866 Danville, Quebec Canada	Private Timothy O'Hea	For his courageous conduct on the occasion of a Fire which occurred in a Railway Car containing ammunition, between Quebec and Montreal, on the 9th of June last. The Serjeant in charge of the Escort states that, when at Danville Station, on the Grand Trunk Railway, the alarm was given that the Car was on fire ; it was immediately disconnected, and, whilst considering what was best to be done, Private O'Hea took the keys from his hand, rushed to the Car, opened it, and called out for water and' a ladder. It is stated that it was due to his example that the fire was suppressed. LG 1/1/1867
Boer War 1899 - 1902
14	2nd	15/10/1899 Colenso	Captain W. N. Congreve	At Colenso on the 15th December, 1899, the detachments serving the guus of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, had all been either killed, wounded, or driven from their guns by Infantry fire at close range, and the guns were deserted. About 500 yards behind the guns was a donga in which some of the few horses and drivers left alive were sheltered. The intervening space was swept with shell and rifle fire. Captain Congreve, Rifle Brigade, who was in the donga, assisted to hook a team into a limber, went out; and assisted to limber up a gun. Being wounded, he took shelter; but, seeing Lieutenant Roberts fall, badly wounded, he went out again and brought him in. Captain Congreve was shot tbrough the leg, through the toe of his boot, grazed on the elbow and the shoulder, and his horse shot in three places. LG 2/2/1900

15	2nd	27/8/1900 Bergendal	Private E. Durrant	At Bergendal, on the 27th August, 1900, Acting-Corporal Wellar having been wounded, and being somewhat dazed, got up from his prone position in the firing line, exposing himself still more to the enemy's fire, and commenced to run towards them. Private Durrant rose, and pulling him down endeavoured to keep him quiet, but finding this impossible he took him up and carried him back for 200 yards under a heavy fire to shelter, returning immediately to his place in the line
Somaliland Operations 1902-04
16		22/4/1903 Daratoleh	Captain and Brevet Major J. E. Gough	During the action at Daratoleh, on 22nd April last. Major Gough assisted Captains Walker and Rolland in carrying back the late Captain Bruce (who had been mortally wounded) and preventing that Officer from falling into the hands of the enemy. Captains Walker and Rolland have already been awarded the Victoria Cross for their gallantry on this occasion, but Major Gough (who was in command of the column) made no mention of his own conduct, which has only recently been brought to notice. LG 15/1/1904 also: War Office, 15th January, 1904. BREVET. Captain and Brevet Major J. E. Gough, the Rifle Brigade (the Prince Consort's Own), to be Lieutenant - Colonel, in recognition of his services in command of the Troops during the action at Daratoleh, Somaliland, on 22nd April last. Dated 22nd April, 1903.
The Great War 1914 - 1918
17	1st	22/4/1918 France	Z.1030 Cpl. (L./Sjt.) Joseph Edward Woodall (Salford).	For most conspicuous bravery and fine leadership during an attack. Sgt. Woodall was in command of a platoon which, during the advance, was held up by a machine gun. On his own initiative he rushed forward and, single-handed, captured the gun and eight men. After the objective had been gained, heavy fire was encountered from a farmhouse some 200 yards in front. Sgt. Woodall collected ten men and with great dash and gallantry, rushed the farm and took thirty prisoners. Shortly afterwards, when the officer in charge was killed, he took entire command, reorganised the two Platoons and disposed them most skilfully. Throughout the day, in spite of intense shelling and machine-gun fire, this gallant N.C.O. was constantly on the move, encouraging the men and finding out and sending back invaluable information. The example set by Sgt. Woodall was simply magnificent, and had a marked effect on the troops. The success of the operation on this portion of the front is attributed almost entirely to his coolness, courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety.

18	13th	6/5/1918 Bucquoy France	No. S.6522 Sgt. William Gregg, D.C.M M.M. Rifle Bde. (Derby).	For most conspicuous bravery and brilliant leadership in action. Two companies of his unit attacked the enemy's outpost position without artillery preparation. Sergeant Gregg, was with the right company, which came under heavy fire from the right flank as it advanced. All the officers with the company were hit. He at once took command of the attack. He rushed an enemy post and personally killed an entire machine-gun team and captured the gun and four men in a dug-out near by. He then rushed another post, killed two men and captured another. In spite of heavy casualties he reached his objective, and started consolidating the position. By this prompt and effective action this gallant N.C.O. saved the situation at a critical time and ensured the success of the attack. Later, Sgt Gregg's party were driven back by an enemy counter-attack, but reinforcements coming up, he led a charge, personally bombed a hostile machine gun, killed the crew, and captured the gun. Once again he was driven back. He led another successful attack, and hung on to the position until ordered by his company commander to withdraw. Although under very heavy rifle and machine-gun fire for several hours, Sgt. Gregg displayed throughout the greatest coolness and contempt of danger, walking about encouraging his men and setting a magnificent example.

19	13th	8/5/1918 Bucquoy France	No. B.203174 Pte. William Beesley (Nuneaton).	For most conspicuous bravery. The enemy's outpost position was attacked by two companies of his unit without artillery preparation. Pte. Beesley was in the leading wave of the left company, which came under heavy fire as it approached the enemy's front line. His platoon sergeant and all the section commanders were killed. This young soldier, realising the situation at once, took command and led the assault. Single-handed he rushed a post, and with his revolver killed two of the enemy at a machine gun. He then shot dead an officer who ran across from a dug-out to take their place at the machine gun. Three more officers appeared from the dug-out. These he called on to surrender, seeing one of them trying to get rid of a map he shot him and obtained the map. He took four more prisoners from a dug-out and two others from a shelter close by, disarmed them and sent them back to our lines. At this moment this Lewis gun was brought up by a comrade, who was acting as a carrier. Pte. Beesley at once brought it into action, and used it with great effect against the enemy as they bolted towards their support line, inflicting many casualties. For four hours Pte. Beesley and his comrade held on to the position under very heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. The enemy then advanced to counter-attack, and the other soldier was wounded. Pte. Beesley carried on by himself, and actually maintained his position until 10 p.m., long after the posts on his right and left had been practically wiped out and the survivors had fallen back. It was mainly due to his action that the enemy were-prevented from rushing the position and that the remnants of his company, when compelled to withdraw were able to do so without further loss When darkness set in Pte. Beesley made his way back to the original line from which the attack had started, bringing with him the wounded carrier and the Lewis gun. He at once mounted the Lewis gun in the trench and remained in action until things quietened down. The indomitable pluck, skilful shooting and good-judgment in economising ammunition displayed by Pte. Beesley stamp the incident as one of the most brilliant actions in recent operations.

20	2nd	12/3/1915 Neuve Chapelle, France.	No. 9665 Company Serjeant-Major Harry Daniels,	For most conspicuous bravery on 12th March, 1915, at Neuve Chapelle. When their battalion was impeded in the advance to the attack by wire entanglements, and subjected to a very severe machine-gun fire, these two men voluntarily rushed in front and succeeded in cutting the wires. They were both wounded at once, and Corporal Noble has since died of .his wounds.
21	2nd	12/3/1915 Neuve Chapelle, France.	No. 3697 Acting Corporal Cecil Reginald Noble

22	8th	30/7/1915 Hooge Belgium.	Lieutenant Sidney Clayton Woodroffe	For most conspicuous bravery on 30th July, 1915 at Hooge. The enemy having broken through the centre of our front trenches, consequent on the use of burning liquids, this Officer's position was heavily attacked with bombs from the flank and subsequently from the rear, but he managed to defend his post until all his bombs were exhausted, and then skilfully withdrew his remaining men. This very gallant Officer immediately led his party forward in a counter-attack under an intense rifle and machine-gun fire, and was killed whilst in the act of cutting the wire obstacles in the open.

23	16th	20/9/1917 Belgium.	Sergeant William Francis Burman	When the advance of his company was held up by a machine-gun at point-blank range, Sergeant Burman shouted to the men next to him to wait a few minutes and going forward to what seemed certain death killed the enemy gunner and carried the gun to the company's objective where he used it with great effect. Fifteen minutes later it was seen that about 40 of the enemy were enfilading the battalion on the right. Sergeant Burman and two others ran and got behind them, killing six and capturing two officers and 29 other ranks.

24		6/7 to 20/7/1916 Longueval France	Bt. Maj. William La Touche Congreve, D.S.O., M.C.	This officer constantly performed acts of gallantry and showed the greatest devotion to duty, and by his personal example inspired all those around him with confidence at critical periods of the operations.' During preliminary preparations for the attack he carried out personal reconnaissances of the enemy lines, taking out parties of officers and non-commissioned officers for over 1,000 yards in front of our line, in order to acquaint them with the ground. All these preparations were made under fire. Later, by night, Major Congreve conducted a battalion to its position of employment, afterwards1 returning to it to ascertain the situation after assault. He established himself in an exposed forward position from whence he successfully observed the enemy, and gave orders necessary to drive them from their position. Two days later, when Brigade Headquarters was heavily shelled and many casualties resulted, he went out and assisted the medical officer to remove the wounded to places of safety, although he was himself suffering severely from gas and other shell effects. He again on a subsequent occasion showed supreme courage in tending wounded under heavy shell tire. He finally returned to the front line to ascertain the situation after an unsuccessful attack, and whilst in the act of writing his report, was shot and killed instantly.

25	8th	23/11/1915 near La Brique, Belgium	No. 8/107 Corporal Alfred Drake	For most conspicuous bravery on the night of 23rd November, 1915, near La Brique, France. He was one of a patrol of four which was reconnoitring towards the German lines. The patrol was discovered when close to the enemy, who opened heavy fire witlh rifles and a machine gun, wounding the Officer and one man. The latter was carried back by the last remaining man. Corporal Drake remained with his Officer and was last seen kneeling beside him and bandaging his wounds regardless of the enemy's fire. Later, a rescue party crawling near the German lines found the Officer and Corporal, the former unconscious but alive and bandaged, Corporal Drake beside him dead and riddled with bullets. He had given his own life and saved his Officer. No.

26	2nd	8/3/1917 Bouchavesnes France	2nd Lieutenant George Edward Cates	Second Lieutenant Cates was engaged with some other men in deepening a captured trench when his spade stuck a buried bomb which immediately started to burn. Without hesitation he put his foot on it and it immediately exploded. This act cost him his life, but saved the lives of others with him.
The Second World War 1939-45
27		27/10/42 El Aqqaqir (Kidney Ridge), Western Desert, Egypt	Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Victor Buller Turner	War Office, 20th November, 1942, The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of The VICTORIA CROSS to: — Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Victor Buller Turner (17630), The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) (Thatcham, Berks). For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the 27th October, 1942, in the Western Desert. Lieutenant-Colonel Turner led a Battalion of the Rifle Brigade at night for 4,000 yards through difficult country to their objective, where 40 German prisoners were captured. He then organised the captured position for all-round defence; in this position he and his Battalion were continuously attacked from 5.30 a.m. to 7 p.m., unsupported and so isolated that replenishment of ammunition was impossible owing to the concentration and accuracy of the enemy fire. During this time the Battalion was attacked by not less than 90 German tanks which advanced in successive waves. All of these were repulsed with a loss to the enemy of 35 tanks which were in flames, and not less than 20 more which had been immobilised. Throughout the action Lieutenant-Colonel Turner never ceased to go to each part of the front as it was threatened. Wherever the fire was heaviest there he was to be found. In one case, finding a solitary six-pounder gun in action (the others being casualties) and manned only by another officer and a Sergeant, he acted as loader and with these two destroyed 5 enemy tanks. While doing this he was wounded in the head, but he refused all aid until the last tank was destroyed. His personal gallantry and complete disregard of danger as he moved about encouraging his Battalion to resist to the last, resulted in the infliction of a severe defeat on the enemy tanks. He set an example of leadership and bravery which inspired his whole Battalion and which will remain an inspiration to the Brigade. LG 20/11/1942

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