24066 Lance Corporal Fred Fisher V. C. 13th Bn. Canadian Infantry died 24th April 1915, aged 22. Panel Reference Panel 24 - 26 - 28 - 30.
Son of Mr. W. H. Fisher, of 100, Fort St., Montreal. Citation
An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 29202, dated 22nd June, 1915, records the following:-"On 23rd April, 1915, in the neighbourhood of St. Julien, he went forward with the machine gun, of which he was in charge, under heavy fire, and most gallantly assisted in covering the retreat of a battery, losing four men of his gun team. Later, after obtaining four more men, he went forward again to the firing line and was himself killed while bringing his machine gun into action under very heavy fire, in order to cover the advance of supports."
Brigadier General Charles Fitzclarence, V. C. & Mentioned in Despatches (Awarded V. C. during the Boer War) General Staff Commanding 1st Guards Brigade and Irish Guards died 12th November 1914, aged 49. Panel Reference Panel 3.
Husband of Mrs. V. FitzClarence, of 12, Lowndes St., Belgrave Square, London.
At "the most critical moment" of the Battles of Ypres, 1914 (on the 31st October), he directed the counter-attack of the 2nd Worcesters which recaptured Gheluvelt.
Citation
An extract taken from "The London Gazette," dated 6th July, 1900, records the following:- "On the 14th October 1899, Captain Fitzclarence went with his squadron of the Protectorate Regiment, consisting of only partially trained men, who had never been in action, to the assistance of an armoured train which had gone out from Mafeking. The enemy were in greatly superior numbers, and the squadron was for a time surrounded, and it looked as if nothing could save them from being shot down. Captain Fitzclarence, however, by his personal coolness and courage inspired the greatest confidence in his men, and, by his bold and efficient handling of them, not only succeeded in relieving the armoured train, but inflicted a heavy defeat on the Boers, who lost 50 killed and a large number wounded. The moral effect of this blow had a very important bearing on subsequent encounters with the Boers." "On the 27th October 1899, Captain Fitzclarence led his squadron from Mafeking across the open, and made a night attack with the bayonet on one of the enemy's trenches. A hand-to-hand fight took place in the trench, while heavy fire was concentrated on it from the rear. The enemy was driven out with heavy loss. Captain Fitzclarence was the first man into the position and accounted for four of the enemy with his sword. The British lost 6 killed and 9 wounded. Captain Fitzclarence was himself slightly wounded. With reference to these two actions, Major-General Baden-Powell states that had his Officer not shown an extraordinary spirit and fearlessness the attacks would have been failures, and we should have suffered heavy loss both in men and prestige. On the 26th December 1899, during the action at Game Tree, near Mafeking, Captain Fitzclarence again distinguished himself by his coolness and courage, and was again wounded (severely through both legs)."
1539 Sergeant Major Frederick William Hall, V. C. 8th Bn. Canadian Infantry died 25th April 1915, aged 28. Panel Reference Panel 24 - 26 - 28 - 30.
Son of Mary Hall, of 43, Union Rd., Leytonstone, London, and the late Bmdr. F. Hall.
Citation
An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 29202, dated 23rd June, 1915, records the following:- "On 24th April, 1915, in the neighbourhood of Ypres, when a wounded man who was lying some 15 yards from the trench called for help, Company Serjeant-Major Hall endeavoured to reach him in the face of a very heavy enfilade fire which was being poured in by the enemy. The first attempt failed, and a non-commissioned officer and private soldier who were attempting to give assistance were both wounded. Company Serjeant-Major Hall then made a second most gallant attempt, and was in the act of lifting up the wounded man to bring him in when he fell mortally wounded in the head."
Second Lieutenant Denis George Wyldbore Hewitt, V. C. 2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment died 31st July 1917, aged 19. Panel Reference Panel 35.
Son of the late Hon. George Hewitt and the Hon. Mrs. G. Hewitt, of Field House, Hursley, Winchester.
Citation
An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30284, dated 14th Sept., 1917, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in command of a company in attack. When his first objective had been captured he reorganized the company and moved forward towards his objective. While waiting for the barrage to lift, he was hit by a piece of shell, which exploded the signal lights in his haversack and set fire to his equipment and clothes. Having extinguished the flames, in spite of his wound and the severe pain he was suffering, he led forward the remains of the company under very heavy machine gun fire, and captured and consolidated his objective. He was subsequently killed by a sniper while inspecting the consolidation and encouraging his men. This gallant officer set a magnificent example of coolness and contempt of danger to the whole battalion, and it was due to his splendid leading that the final objective of his battalion was gained."
Lieutenant Hugh McDonald McKenzie, V. C. & D. C. M. & Croix de Guerre (France) Canadian Machine Gun Corps 30th October 1917, aged 30. Panel Reference Panel 32.
Son of the late Mrs. Jane McDonald McKenzie, of 23, James St., Dundee, Scotland.
Citation
An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30523, dated 12th Feb., 1918, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and leading when in charge of a section of four machine guns accompanying the infantry in an attack. Seeing that all the officers and most of the non-commissioned officers of an infantry company had become casualties, and that the men were hesitating before a nest of enemy machine guns, which were on commanding ground and causing them severe casualties, he handed over command of his guns to an N.C.O., rallied the infantry, organised an attack, and captured the strong point. Finding that the position was swept by machine-gun fire from a ' pill-box ' which dominated all the ground over which the troops were advancing, Lt. McKenzie made a reconnaissance and detailed flanking and frontal attacking parties which captured the 'pill-box', he himself being killed while leading the frontal attack. By his valour and leadership this gallant officer ensured the capture of these strong points and so saved the lives of many men and enabled the objectives to be attained."
Captain John Franks Vallentin, V. C. & Mentioned in Despatches 1st Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment 7th November 1914, aged 32. Panel Reference Panel 35 and 37.
Son of Lucy Vallentin, of 116, Albert Place Mansions, Battersea Park, London, and the late Grimble Vallentin.
Citation
An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 29073, dated 16th Feb., 1915, records the following:- "For conspicuous bravery on 7th Nov., at Zillebeke. When leading the attack against the Germans under a very heavy fire he was struck down, and on rising to continue the attack was immediately killed. The capture of the enemy's trenches which followed was in a great measure due to the confidence which the men had in their Captain, arising from his many previous acts of great bravery and ability."
7602 PrivateEdward Warner, V. C. 1st Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment 2nd May 1915, aged 32. Panel Reference Panel 31 and 33.
Son of the late Mark and Charlotte M. Warner.
Citation
An extract from the London Gazette, No. 29210, dated 29th June, 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery near ' Hill 60 ' on 1st May, 1915. After Trench 46 had been vacated by our troops, consequent on a gas attack, Private Warner entered it single-handed in order to prevent the enemy taking possession. Reinforcements were sent to Private Warner, but could not reach him owing to the gas. He then came back and brought up more men, by which time he was completely exhausted, but the trench was held until the enemy's attack ceased. This very gallant soldier died shortly afterwards from the effects of gas poisoning."
Second Lieutenant Sidney Clayton Woodroffe, V. C. 8th Bn. Rifle Brigade 30th July 1915, aged 19. Panel Reference Panel 46 - 48 and 50.
Educated at Marlborough.
Son of Henry L. and Clara Woodroffe, of Thorpewood, Branksome Av., Bournemouth. His brothers Kenneth and Leslie also fell.
Lieutenant Kenneth Herbert Clayton Woodroffe, Mentioned in Despatches, 6th Bn. Rifle Brigade, died 9th May 1915, aged 22 and he is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial in France
Captain Leslie Woodroffe, M. C. 14th Bn. attached to 8th Bn, Rifle Brigade, died 4th June 1916, aged 31 and he is buried in Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension in France. His headstone bears the inscription "Also In Memory of His Two Brothers Buried On Battlefield in 1915"
Citation
An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 29286, dated 3rd Sept., 1915, records the following :- "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."
Lieutenant Kenneth Herbert Clayton Woodroffe, Mentioned in Despatches