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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: cheshiremog on Sunday 01 April 07 23:32 BST (UK)
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I have a series of books - by HW Wilson 'The Great War' in 13 volumes(written during and just after the Great War) and it is packed full of VC Holders photos and citations. I wondered if anyone would be interested in look ups
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I am just curious, is there another type of VC apart from the Victoria cross? There is a burial in St Albans catholic church, Wallasey that gives some guys name and V.C. at the end. I am almost certain it is not the Victoria Cross as I looked up the holders once. Anyone any suggestions as to what it might mean? The grave is from 1800 and something but I can't remember the exact year.
The only thing I can think of is Vice Consul!
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The Victoria Cross came into being on 29th January 1856 under Royal Warranty and it is made from the bronze cannon captured during the Crimean War. The inscription you have seen (if it was 1800) must therefore stand for something else. As it was in a catholic church could it be Latin ? Was there a military connection with the burial that you know of ?
From the dictionary:
Vice Chairman
Vice Consul
Vice Chancellor
I would also post this question in the military area of the site - they may well know.
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I've had a look at that grave stone again. Name of Ambrose Lennon who died in 1876. He was a canon in the church as opposed to a cannon in the artillery :) so maybe the V.C. is something to do with that?
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Hi Certacito
I have checked through the index of my books and no mention found of an Ambrose Lennon or even a Lennon Ambrose as a Victoria Cross Holder. So it must in his case mean something else. Have you tried the military section they may well have been asked a similar question before. Please let me know if you find out - I would be very interested.
mog
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Taking advantage of my thousands of worldly contacts (one to be precise) I have received the following answer.
It probably stands for Vir Clarissimus ("A Most Illustrious Man") which is an inscription commonly found in old catacombs and other burial griounds....
You learn something new every day don't you?
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Dear Certi,
Thanks for letting us know. Very interesting :D Glad you found what you were looking for.
mog
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Hi Cheshire, thanks for the offer, could you look for Samuel Wassall please he won the VC at isandlwana during the Zulu wars, i have read about him on wikepedia etc, i wonder if their was any pictures or information on him in the book. Thank you.
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Hi bcf
Sorry my book only gives VC's awarded in WW1
I notice on wikipedia that his medal is held at the South Staffordshire's Museum
maybe they would be able to help ?
mog
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Thanks for reply, i should have read your original post properly :-[
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Hi - my Grandfather won the DCM for a battle in WWI
ANZAC RIDGE (East of Ypres) for the Battle on the 26 Oct 1917
Description: No 1842 Gunner Lindsay Ernest Barrett 101st ( Howitzer ) Bty., A.F.A Brigade.
Is there anyway of finding out who rec'd the VC - if any . (As he was nominated for the VC & it would be nice to mention the person who recd the VC in my notes)
thanks
Natalie
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Hi Natalie
Apologies for the delay in replying but it has taken some time to get thus far:-
LE Barrett is not mentioned in the book I have -but I have been trying to look up up Anzac Ridge, Ypres in 1917 to find out more. It looks like this was the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) - see chronology below:-
http://www.worldwar1.com/tlindex.htm
The cwgc website says that on 26th Oct 1917 the battle weary Australians were joined by the Canadians.
See the cwgc site - from Home Page choose - histories- Ypres-Flanders-Third Ypres
http://www.cwgc.org
It looks like the Canadians got 3 VCs and 10 DCMs .In all Commonwealth troops gained 32 gallantry awards and 21 honours. Quite a record for one day. I do have details of the Canadian awards.
The photo link below shows the Australians at Anzac Ridge - taken on 26th Oct 1917
http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/E01055
I am assuming your grandad was Australian ?
I do not know what AFA stands for ?
How did you know he was at Anzac Ridge - have you seen a citation for his DCM?
Let me know if you want more info on the events of the day and the VCs won by the Canadians.
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There is an online site for the Vicrtoria Cross recipients.
http://www.victoriacross.co.uk/list_d.html
We actually have two both awarded in 1879 the same battle in the Zulu Wars.
WASSALL
WASSALL, Samuel. (reg No. 1277).
Private. 80th Regiment. *
London Gazetted on 17th June 1879.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Staffordshire Regimental Museum, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffordshire. Born on 28th July 1856 at Aston, Warwickshire.
Died on 31st January 1927 at Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire.
Memorials on grave at Barrow-in-Furness Cemetery, Lancs., and in the garrison church, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffordshire. (A New Headstone was erected on the grave in 1986).
Digest of Citation reads:
On 22nd January 1879, Private Samuel Wassall, without concern for his own life, which was in imminent danger, rescued Private Westwood, a comrade of the 80th Regiment. The British and Native encampment at Isandhlwana, came under attack from 20,000 of King Cetswayo's Zulus. Private Wassall was retreating towards the Buffalo River, when he saw Private Westwood struggling, apparently drowning, in the river. Leaving his horse on the Zulu side of the river, he rescued his comrade from the fast-flowing water. Remounting his horse, he dragged Private Westwood across the river to safety under a hail of bullets from the Zulus.
* South Staffordshire Regiment.
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Hi Cheshire, thanks for the offer, could you look for Samuel Wassall please he won the VC at isandlwana during the Zulu wars, i have read about him on wikepedia etc, i wonder if their was any pictures or information on him in the book. Thank you.
Pte Samuel Wassall of the 80th Regt was awarded the VC for gallantry for saving a comrade in the Buffalo river before the defense and after the Isandhlwana massacre, under heavy fire!
Sorry no photo!
pm me and can give further reference
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isandlwana during the Zulu wars
My ancestor won the VC in this war and they were awarded postumously.
They are all well documented and there is a portrait of my ancester and his companion who also received the VC for his bravery.
http://www.1879memorials.com/othermems/vic_cross_holders.html
This is about that area of Africa
http://www.royal-arsenal.com/isandlwana.html
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Hi could you do a look up for me to see if you have a Sgt. Thomas JONES
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Hi Ladyhawk !
I haven't been able to find your Thomas on any lists of VC holders and I couldn't see him in the Gazette ..... what makes you think Thomas was awarded the VC ? do you have any family stories at all - that maybe we could look into ?
Annie :)
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Hi Annie,
Thank you for looking but it looks like I have posted this incorrectly - novice at postings :o
Thanks for your time :)
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Hi Annie,
Just to let you know that I've had help with identifying some of the ribbons on the uniform of my great uncle :)
There is a very strong possibility I've know got his regiment number from the London Gazette where he's mentioned for the award of a Military Medal :)
I've also been on the ancestry military site and there's a medal card here for a Sjt. Thomas Jones The Welsh Regiment :)
Ladyhawk
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I am connected to James Rogers, VC winner. His father was my ggg brother.
Does the book have him in it?
I have seen all the online material.
Just wondering if book has something different in it.
Cheers Floozy
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Hi Floozy
No sorry - there is no mention in the books I have as they cover The Great War only and I see from google that your relative was awarded a VC in the Boer War
mog
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Thankyou for looking.
Floozy
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John James Crowe won the VC in WW1 Gazetted 28/6/1918 (the highest military award)
I believe he also won the George Cross in WW2 (the highest civillian award)
This must be unique
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hi do you also have final resting places for vc holders.ian
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Hi Ian
No it does not include that information but if they were killed during WW1 or WW2 then they should be listed on the Commonwealth War Graves.
http://www.cwgc.org/
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ok thanks its just while searching for gg greatgrandad i came accross 2 vc holders berials graves and photos.will send if you want them
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have location of final resting places,photos
william jones b 1839 d 15 4 1913 vc rorkes drift
goerge stringer b 24 1 1889 d 10 10 1957 vc
charles (gus) bonner vc
my wifes maiden name is bonner wonder if any connection?
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Hi Cheshire,
At the weekend, I managed to prove a family myth :), that there was a "nephew" who won a VC for clearing a torpedo from a submarine. This is my gran's, Auntie's nephew, Peter Scawen Watkinson Roberts (1917-1979) who got both a VC and a DSC in 1942.
I'd be very grateful if you could send me on any information from your book and if there was a photo, that would be the icing on the cake!
Very many thanks,
Jimmijam
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Many thanks for your kind offer....
I have a personal interest in Frederick LUKE, VC, (1895-1983) who won this on 26th August 1914, for performing an outrageously brave act of heroism. (There is a lot of info published about this brave young man in Wikepedia (sp?) also on the www.findagrave.com site, so no need for me to expand on that side of things.
I have recently added a signed vintage photograph of Frederick to my collection (ouch!) and would be interested to catch sight of any other photos of either Frederick of Le Cateau which may be in your book.
Here, for general interest, is a scan of the photo I have.
Judging from his apparent age in this portrait I would guess it was taken shortly after the VC was presented.
Thanks in anticipation...
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Have you any information on Alexander Burt, corporal, 1st Battalion
Hertford Regiment territorials. I think he received it in France 1915. He is my tree and this information is from a letter so I hope spelling etc is all right gmar
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Have you any information on
Alexander Burt, corporal,
1st Battalion Hertford Regiment territorials.
I think he received it in France 1915.
He is my tree and this information is from a letter so I hope spelling etc is all right
Hello Gmar - Cheshiremog has not been on since May 2013 nd as you piosted this in Jun 2013 you may already have found the information you were looking for but just in case you haven't here
some info. which may be your man
Was Alexander Burt's first name Alfred ?
son of Thomas Richard BURT & Martha DEAR
(marriage details & probate details available to view on Anc*y for Thomas & Martha Burt)
Alfred married 1916 Jane E WEST she died 17 Dec 1964 Buckinghamshire
Jane Elizabeth Burt of 3 Chessbury Road Chesham, Probate 12 Jan 1966 Administration (with Will)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Alexander_Burt
and on Anc*y Uk, Victory Cross Medals 1857 - 2007
666 BURT Alfred Alexander VC Sergeant 1st Battlion, The Hertfordshire Regiment Cuinchy, France
Alfred Alexander Burt
Birth Date: 3 Mar 1895 Port Vale Hertfordshire
Death Date: 9 Jun 1962
Death Place: Tindal General Hospital, Chesham, Buckinghamshire following a serious illness
Cremated: 14 June at the West Hertfordshire Crematiorium Watford Ref: 6686. Ashes interred in Plot AR – 48. No memorial tablet
Deed/service: 27 September 1915 (Corporal)
When a large minenwerfer bomb fell into his trench, instead of seeking cover behind a traverse he went forward and put his foot on the fuse. He wrenched it out of the bomb and threw it over the parapet, saving the lives of many of his comrades. (Gazetee: 22 January 1916)
No. 1665 Corporal Alfred Alexander... into the trench.
Corporal Burt, who well knew the destructive... http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29447/supplements/945
Commemoration:
i) A small plate to his memory, below a cherry tree at the Crematorium, was disposed of in 1982
ii) Clock & display at the Royal British Legion Club, Chesham
iii) Medals with the Herfordshire Regiment
Also available to view on Anc*y are his pension records
Alfred Alexander Burt
Age at enlistment: 21
Document Year: 1916
Regimental Number: 1665
Regiment Name: Hertfordshire Regiment
Alfred Alexander Burt
Document Year: 1922
Regimental Number: 5987897
Regiment Name: B Hertfordshire R