VC Books for Sale. Books By The Editor VC Signatures Etc. We have received information that two New Zealand soldiers may be in line to received posthumous Victoria Crosses, Lance Corporals Pralli Durrer and Rory Malone were killed in a firefight in Bamiyan Province, Afghanistan in August The Battle of Baghak was subject of a major court enquiry, hence the delay in awarding gallantry awards in is understood that 15 citations for bravery have been made.

The huge blaze that destroyed Clandon House and its treasures may have included six VC groups to the Surrey Regiment. We are not sure whether or not those on display were replicas with the originals kept in a security vault. Tomorrow at Windsor Castle, Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey will receive his Victoria Cross from the HM The Queen. Congratulations to Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey of the Parachute Regiment for his award of the Victoria Cross.

He is the third serviceman - and the first living serviceman - to receive the award for service in Afghanistan. He receives the VC for outstanding gallantry while on patrol against the Taliban in Details will appear in our March Journal. It is almost 70 years since his second cousin twice removed, Sergeant Nigel Leakey of the King's African Rifles, received a posthumous VC for his actions on 19th May in Abyssinia.

The National Memorial Arboretum is to commemorate those overseas-born Victoria Cross recipients of the Great War on 5th March. For those with philately interests, the Australian Post Office today issued a set of five VC recipients; Keith Payne, Mark Donaldson, Ben Roberts-Smith, Dan Keighran and Cameron Baird. Many thanks to member Julian Gatt, who sent the following account of Corporal Cameron Baird's VC action.

On 22 Junea Commando Platoon of the Special Operations Task Group, with partners from the Afghan National Security Forces, conducted a helicopter assault into Ghawchak village, Uruzgan Province, in order to attack an insurgent network deep within enemy-held territory. Corporal Baird quickly seized the initiative, leading his team to neutralise the positions, killing six enemy combatants and enabling the assault to continue. Soon afterwards, an adjacent Special Operations Task Group team came under heavy enemy fire, resulting in its commander being seriously wounded.

Without hesitation, Corporal Baird led his team to provide support. En route, he and his team were engaged by rifle and machine gun fire from prepared enemy positions. With complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Baird charged towards the enemy positions, supported by his team. On nearing the positions, he and his team were engaged by additional enemy on their flank. Instinctively, Corporal Baird neutralised the new threat with grenades and rifle fire, enabling his team to close with the prepared position.

With the prepared position now isolated, Corporal Baird manoeuvred and was engaged by enemy machine gun fire, the bullets striking the ground around him.

Displaying great valour, he drew the fire, moved to cover, and suppressed the enemy machine gun position. This action enabled his team to close on the entrance to the prepared position, thus regaining the initiative. On three separate occasions Corporal Baird charged an enemy-held building within the prepared compound.

On the first occasion he charged the door to the building, followed by another team member. Despite being totally exposed and immediately engaged by enemy fire, Corporal Baird pushed forward while firing into the building. Now in the closest proximity to the enemy, he was forced to withdraw when his rifle ceased to function. On rectifying his rifle stoppage, and reallocating remaining ammunition within his team, Corporal Baird again advanced towards the door of the building, once more under heavy fire.

He engaged the enemy through the door but was unable to suppress the position and took cover to reload. For a third time, Corporal Baird selflessly drew enemy fire away from his team and assaulted the doorway. Enemy fire was seen to strike the ground and compound walls around Corporal Baird, before visibility was obscured by dust and smoke.

In this third attempt, the enemy was neutralised and the advantage was regained, but Corporal Baird was killed in the effort. His actions were of the highest order and in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force. Corporal Baird's parents have loaned his VC to the Australian War Memorial and should be on display in the all of Valour before Anzac Day, 25th April.

We learn from our Australian members that a posthumous Victoria Cross for Australia has been announced. The recipient is Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird MG, 2nd Commando Regiment. This is Australia's th Victoria Cross. Corporal Baird, 32, died as he assaulted an insurgent-held compound during a special forces mission in the Khod Valley in Afghanistan's Oruzgan province on June 22 last year.

He was the 40th Australian to die in Afghanistan, the fourth awarded the VC and the first posthumously since Vietnam. He was also a very humble person who shunned the limelight and would have seen this not as an award to himself but as recognition of all his fellow soldiers, his brother Brendan told reporters:: Without Warning," he concluded.

Without Warning is the motto of the 2nd Commando Regiment. Cpl Baird's father Doug said he was an outstanding sportsman and junior footballer for the Calder Cannons and could have been drafted by an AFL club if not for a shoulder injury. So Cameron Baird joined the army at 18, serving with the 4th Battalion Commando - now the 2nd Commando Regiment - in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. During his second deployment to Afghanistan inhe was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for bravery during a close-quarters fight with insurgents.

Following his death last year in his fifth tour, Defence revealed scant details beyond that he was shot and killed during a Special Operations Task Group operation. Full details of his VC action won't be disclosed until Governor-General Quentin Bryce reads the official citation when she confers the award on his parents next Tuesday.

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Prime Minister Tony Abbott revealed some details to a packed House of Representatives chamber on Thursday. It occurred as Commandos attacked well-defended enemy positions in the village of Ghawchak. Cpl Baird charged enemy positions, destroying them with grenade and rifle fire. In the second phase, he led an assault on an enemy compound.

On separate occasions under heavy fire, he forced the door from a building. Twice he withdrew to reload and to clear his rifle. Tragically, he was killed in this final assault," he said. Mr Abbott cited the accounts of two comrades, both probably used to support the VC recommendation.

I was witness to the ultimate sacrifice," said one. The Fusilier Museum in Bury, Lancashire, is searching for the missing Victoria Cross awarded to Captain Cuthbert Bromley. The ground-breaking exhibition due to open in April will hopefully include all six Victoria Crosses.

If successful in their search, it will be the first time ever in years that the VCs have been on display in one place. The Museum currently has two in its collection and three will be kindly loaned by Lord Ashcroft from his Extraordinary Heroes Exhibition at the Imperial War Museum, the largest VC collection in the world.

If you have any knowledge of the location of Captain Bromley's Cross, please contact the Fusilier Museum on gini. Normally only open and available to serving and former non-commissioned military personnel of Her Majesty's Armed Forces and their families, this is a great opportunity for the general public to sample the fantastic service and facilities of this very special venue.

We are extremely fortunate that our inaugural conference will benefit from some of the nations leading authorities on the Victoria Cross and its history. Places can be booked by visiting http: Victoria Cross recipients will be at the heart of plans to mark the centenary of the First World War, it has been announced.

Special commemorative paving stones will be laid in the home towns of all those in the United Kingdom awarded the Victoria Cross for valour "in the face of the enemy" during the conflict as part of efforts to mark the centenary of the Great War next year. As part of centenary events, new measures to restore war memorials across the country have also been announced.

Other plans include a programme of cultural events, candlelit vigils and a service of commemoration attended by Commonwealth leaders. The centenary of Britain's entry into the war will be marked on August 4 next year with a service of commemoration at Glasgow Cathedral for Commonwealth leaders on the day after the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. A candlelit vigil will be held at Westminster Abbey at the end of the day with the last candle extinguished at 11pm - the moment war was declared.

Other events include a programme allowing two pupils and one teacher from every state-funded secondary school in England to visit the battlefields of the Western Front. One year from the start of the four-year centenary programme, new measures announced today include help to restore war memorials up and down the country, as well as Victoria Cross recipients being honoured.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced a national competition to design specially-commissioned paving stones which will be presented to councils in the areas where VC recipients of the First World War were born.

Each stone will also have a QR reader, which people can scan using a smart-phone to reveal details about the recipient. The Government has also announced more help will be made available for local communities to restore and refurbish their First World War memorials, with a new website to be created to make sure people across the country can get funding and support so that all memorials are in good condition for November Culture Secretary Maria Miller said: But as time passes, the living links that connect that terrible time and the present day have dwindled.

So it is really important that we mark the centenary which saw some of the darkest days in our history and remind everyone of the sacrifice that was made -and how it has affected all our lives today.

The Heritage Lottery Fund today announced the first grants under its new 6 million First World War - Then and Now small grants programme, announced by David Cameron last October. Today also sees the launch of a campaign to get employers signed up to the new Centenary Apprenticeship scheme, in days.

The aim is to get companies who existed years ago, which focus on crafts with a modern application, to join up. The centenary will be marked by a programme of cultural events and activities presented by the First World War Centenary Partnership, established and led by the Imperial War Museums IWM. This autumn IWM will launch the programme with an online centenary cultural events calendar on I never thought that I would be recommending to our readers to purchase a copy of Hello Magazine.

However, this week's edition does cover Johnson Beharry's wedding. The London Gazette dated 22nd March. Two insurgents were killed in this initial attack but a follow up assault by Afghan police stalled when a patrolman was shot and killed as the enemy fled. Despite the ferocity of the insurgent's resistance, Ashworth refused to be beaten. His total disregard for his own safety in ensuring that the last grenade was posted accurately was the gallant last action of a soldier who had willingly placed himself in the line of fire on numerous occasions earlier in the attack.

The insurgent was now being supported by fire from several positions, with the enemy desperate to protect their sharpshooter team. With just enough cover to conceal his prostrate form, he inched forward on his belly. Bullets flew over his head as he edged forward and the enemy continued to engage the rest of his team.

He deliberately crawled out from behind the wall, exposing himself to fire to get a better angle for his throw. He was preparing to throw the grenade when he was tragically hit by enemy fire. Congratulations to newly-promoted Sergeant Johnson Beharry VC on his marriage today to Mallissa Venice Noel at the Old Marylebone Town Hall. This morning it has been announced that the Victoria Cross is to be awarded posthumously to Lance Corporal James Ashworth of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.

Aged 23, he was from Corby, Northants. He is the second VC to be awarded for gallantry in Afghanistan. An official announcement will be made next week. Belatedly, a memorial to the only VC to be awarded on D-Day to Sergeant Stan Hollis is to be erected in the centre of his home town of Middlesbrough.

Those wishing to make a donation can visit the appeal website stanleyehollismemorial. Hollis VC Memorial Fund", 54A, Church Street, Guisborough, Cleveland TS14 6B. Congratulations to member Paul Strong who receives his OBE for services to education from H. Paul's ancestor was George Strong who was one of the first to receive the Victoria Cross at Hyde Park on 26th June For the most conspicuous acts of gallantry and extreme devotion to duty in action in circumstances of great peril at Derapet, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan as part of the Mentoring Task Force One on Operation SLIPPER.

Corporal Keighran deployed to Afghanistan in February with the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. The attack was initiated by a high volume of sustained and accurate machine-gun and small-arms fire which pinned down the combined Australian and Afghan patrol and caused a loss of momentum.

In the early stages of the attack, and upon realising that the forward elements of the patrol needed effective fire support, Corporal Keighran and another patrol member moved under sustained and accurate enemy fire to an exposed ridgeline to identify enemy locations and direct the return fire of both Australian and Afghan machine guns.

On reaching this position and with complete disregard for his own wellbeing, Corporal Keighran deliberately drew enemy fire by leaving the limited cover he had and moved over the ridgeline in order to positively identify targets for the machine gunners of the combined patrol.

After identifying some of the enemy firing positions, Corporal Keighran, under persistent enemy fire continued to lead and mentor his team and move around the ridge to both direct the fire of the Afghan and Australian machine gunners and to move them to more effective firing positions.

As the intensity of enemy fire grew, Corporal Keighran returned to the crest of the ridgeline to identify targets and adjust the fire of Australian Light Armoured vehicles. His actions resulted in the effective suppression of enemy firing points, which assisted in turning the fight in the favour of the combined patrol.

Moving to a new position, Corporal Keighran deliberately and repeatedly again exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to assist in target identification and the marking of the forward line of troops for fire support elements whilst simultaneously engaging the enemy.

He then rose from cover again to expose his position on four successive occasions, each movement drawing more intense fire than the last in order to assist in the identification of a further three enemy firing points that were subsequently engaged by fire support elements.

During one of these occasions, when his patrol sustained an Australian casualty, Corporal Keighran with complete disregard for his own safety, left his position of cover on the ridgeline to deliberately draw fire away from the team treating the casualty.

Corporal Keighran remained exposed and under heavy fire while traversing the ridgeline, in order to direct suppressing fire and then assist in the clearance of the landing zone to enable evacuation of the casualty.

These deliberate acts of exceptional courage in circumstances of great peril were instrumental in permitting the withdrawal of the combined Australian and Afghan patrol with no further casualties. His valour is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force. Daniel Alan Keighran was born in Nambour, Queensland on 18 June and spent his formative years in regional Queensland.

He enlisted in the Australian Army on 5 December and completed his Initial Employment Training at the School of Infantry in Singleton, New South Wales. InCorporal Keighran was posted to the 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment 6 RARwhere he served as a Rifleman in Delta Company. Corporal Keighran was promoted to Lance Corporal in and then served within Mortar Platoon, Support Company, 6 RAR. Inhe was promoted to Corporal and posted back to Delta Company, 6 RAR.

InCorporal Keighran deployed to Afghanistan on Operation SLIPPER with Mentoring Task Force 1 MTF-1becoming a mentor midway through his tour. For his actions carried at Derapet, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, he was invested with the Victoria Cross for Australia by Her Excellency the Governor-General of Australia at Government House, Canberra on 1 November Corporal Keighran transferred to the Active Reserve inat the same time commencing a civilian career in the mining industry.

He is married to Kathryn. Corporal Keighran has been awarded the following honours and awards: Please accept my apologies for being off-line for nearly a whole month. I am afraid that a combination of ill-health, a house move and a foul-up between BT and Virgin meant that the Society website was not available.

The next Journal is complete and should be out a little earlier than usual. Please make note of the new address: The wreck of the WW1 submarine E.

She is significant as two separate commanders were awarded the Victoria Cross for outstanding gallantry; Lt-Cdr. Edward Boyle and Lt-Cdr.

Abject apologies for the delay in getting the current Journal to all members. Problems at the printers but I am assured that the Journals are being despatched today. Thank you for your patience. The unveiling of the memorial plaque to Crimean War VC Charles McCorrie is to be performed by HRH The Duke of Gloucester at Msida Bastions Cemetary, Malta at My thanks to Julian Gatt who was instrumental in finally honouring this forgotten hero who lies in an unmarked grave.

Please accept or apologies for the lateness of the Journal. It is being printed next week and should be with most members by the weekend. The Canadian War Memorial has just acquired its 33rd VC.

This was awarded to Private John Francis Young, who was a stretcher-bearer with the 87th Infantry Battalion. He won it for outstanding gallantry in saving wounded near Dury, France on 2nd September We have just learned the rather disappointing news that the VC recovered by the police in Australia is a replica.

It is reported from Australia that the police have arrested a father and son for a string of crimes throughout New South Wales and Queensland. One of the items is a WW1 Victoria Cross. So far, the recipient is unknown but is must have been taken sometime ago as no VCs have been reported stolen recently. As soon as we learn of the VC recipient, we will post his name. A statue to Herbert George Columbine of the Machine Gun Corps is to be erected on the seafront at Walton on the Naze, Essex.

The image on the left shows a superimposed photo of what the statue will look like in situ. Columbine was awarded a posthumous VC for gallantry on 22nd March at Harvilly Wood, France. All cheques to be made out to "Columbine Statue Fund". All enquiries to Mike TurnerButchers Lane, Walton on the Naze CO14 8UD phone The sculptor is John Doubleday. The current Journal has been delayed due to problems at the printers.

It should be printed and distributed this coming week. We have received unwelcome news that the Victoria Cross Grove in Dunloran Park, Tunbridge Wells has been desecrated. Scrap metal thieves have wrenched the brass and copper plaques from their stone plinths. They followed this with the theft of a large chapel bell from the Kent and Sussex Crematorium.

One despairs of the greed and callousness of those who choose to live outside the bounds of normal society. We have learned from Liam Dodd of Dublin that at 2. These two brave men were awarded the VC for gallantry during the Indian Mutiny and have no marked grave. Anyone who wishes to attend would be very welcome.

For full details contact Liam Dodd, 1 A project is being launched to erect a statue to the well-known Cheshire VC, Alfred Thomas "Todger" Jones.

It is proposed that it will be sited opposite the War Memorial in the Runcorn Memorial Gardens. Further local projects are for statues of Thomas Wilkinson VC and Thomas Mottershead VC. If you wish to support this worthwhile project, please contact: Tony Miller 27 Godstow Samdymoor Runcorn Cheshire WA7 1UE e-mail: Can anybody answer a question posed by a member?

Which member of the family received Edward Mannock's posthumous VC presented by George V in July ? With sadness we learned of the death at the age of 65 of Professor Richard Holmes. He popularised military history and was a great communicator and raconteur.

He will be greatly missed. We have learned the sad news that Tul Bahadur Pun has died yesterday at the age of He had travelled to his family home in Myagdi, Nepal a month ago to take part in family worship.

Our own Tom Johnson has been involved in a project with a library in Canada which now contains the record of every VC recipient. Details may be Googled on Victoria Cross Reference Library Ameliasburg Canada. Latest VC, Ben Roberts-Smith, has donated his Cross to the Australian War Memorial. The current edition of the Journal has been sent away to the printers and should be distributed within the next 10 days.

Corporal Ben Robert-Smith became the 98th Australian to receive the Victoria Cross. Today in Perth, Governor-General Quentin Bryce presented Corporal Roberts-Smith with his Cross. CORPORAL Benjamin Roberts-Smith's citation for bravery and his impressive military record. Awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith, VC, MG Citation. For the most conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of extreme peril as Patrol Second-in-Command, Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER.

Corporal Benjamin Roberts Smith enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in After completing the requisite courses, he was posted the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment where he saw active service in East Timor. In Januaryhe successfully completed the Australian Special Air Service Regiment Selection Course.

During his tenure with the Regiment, he deployed on Operation VALIANT, SLATE, SLIPPER, CATALYST and SLIPPER II. Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his actions in Afghanistan in On the 11th Junea troop of the Special Operations Task Group conducted a helicopter assault into Tizak, Kandahar Province, in order to capture or kill a senior Taliban commander. Immediately upon the helicopter insertion, the troop was engaged by machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire from multiple, dominating positions.

Two soldiers were wounded in action and the troop was pinned down by fires from three machine guns in an elevated fortified position to the south of the village.

Under the cover of close air support, suppressive small arms and machine gun fire, Corporal Roberts Smith and his patrol manoeuvred to within 70 metres of the enemy position in order to neutralise the enemy machine gun positions and regain the initiative. Upon commencement of the assault, the patrol drew very heavy, intense, effective and sustained fire from the enemy position. Corporal Roberts Smith and his patrol members fought towards the enemy position until, at a range of 40 metres, the weight of fire prevented further movement forward.

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At this point, he identified the opportunity to exploit some cover provided by a small structure. As he approached the structure, Corporal Roberts Smith identified an insurgent grenadier in the throes of engaging his patrol. Corporal Roberts Smith instinctively engaged the insurgent at point-blank range resulting in the death of the insurgent. With the members of his patrol still pinned down by the three enemy machine gun positions, he exposed his own position in order to draw fire away from his patrol, which enabled them to bring fire to bear against the enemy.

His actions enabled his Patrol Commander to throw a grenade and silence one of the machine guns. Seizing the advantage, and demonstrating extreme devotion to duty and the most conspicuous gallantry, Corporal Roberts Smith, with a total disregard for his own safety, stormed the enemy position killing the two remaining machine gunners. His act of valour enabled his patrol to break-in to the enemy position and to lift the weight of fire from the remainder of the troop who had been pinned down by the machine gun fire.

On seizing the fortified gun position, Corporal Roberts Smith then took the initiative again and continued to assault enemy positions in depth during which he and another patrol member engaged and killed further enemy. His acts of selfless valour directly enabled his troop to go on and clear the village of Tizak of Taliban.

This decisive engagement subsequently caused the remainder of the Taliban in Shah Wali Kot District to retreat from the area. His valour was an inspiration to the soldiers with whom he fought alongside and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.

Benjamin Roberts-Smith was born in Perth on 1 November He enlisted in the Australian Army on 11 November He completed his training at the School of Infantry, Singleton, New South Wales. InCorporal Roberts-Smith completed the SASR selection course and was selected to commence the Special Air Service Regiment SASR reinforcement cycle.

On completion of the reinforcement cycle, he was posted to 3 Squadron, where he served as a member of the Tactical Assault Group West and the Contingency Squadron. He was again deployed with the SOTG in Afghanistan inand on his return was posted to Operational Support Squadron as a member of the Selection Wing where he took part in the training of SASR Reinforcements.

More details are emerging about the action of the SAS soldier who is to be awarded the Victoria Cross. Within minutes three enemy guns had been silenced and numerous Taliban lay dead.

Ben had taken them out single-handedly. His comrades said it was the most extreme example of conspicuous gallantry since Albert Jacka had jumped into a trench full of Turks at Gallipoli inkilling seven with his rifle and bayonet.

Corporal Ben was awarded the Nedal for Gallantry in December The Victoria Cross will make him the most decorated Australian soldier in decades.

The Australian Press have announced today that an un-named member of the Australian SAS is to receive the Victoria Cross in a ceremony in Perth on Sunday 23rd January. Senior defence sources confirmed the battle after which the soldier was recommended for the VC occurred last October in the Sha Wali Kot region of northern Kandahar. The soldier, from Western Australia and in his early 30s, is the second member of the Perth-based SAS to receive the Cross in two years - the other being Mark Donaldson.

We learn with sadness that Lachhiman Gurung VC passed away yesterday aged We published an article about him in our special Gurkha edition of the October Journal. Despite his frailty, Lachhiman Gurung still made public appearances - his last few being the opening of Lord Ashcroft's VC Gallery on 10th November and at the Cenotaph for following day.

A full obituary will appear in our next Journal. My name is Bob Bird, I am the Chairman of the Samuel Parkes V. Wigginton War Memorial Committee. If you can, please contact by email or ring me on 1. The following heart-warming story appeared in yesterday's Sun newspaper. The thugs, who had a Staffordshire bull terrier with them, got a surprise comeuppance after hurling abuse at the smartly-suited trio in a street. They had no idea their intended "victims" were a hero Royal Marine, an Army captain and a VC-winning SAS hero.

The louts pushed and shoved the three men, attempting to provoke them into a punch-up. After ignoring polite advice to "walk away" they suddenly found themselves on their backs while their vicious-looking dog fled yelping.

Though they were in civilian clothes they were wearing their medals on their chests. A witness to the incident said: Today sees the official opening of the long anticipated Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum. The result is nothing short of stunning. A most innovative way of displaying so many outstanding gallantry groups makes this gallery arguably the best of its kind anywhere.

When you visit, give yourself plenty of time because there is so much to see and do that the hours will just pass in a flash. The current edition of the Journal has been delayed. It will be posted today. The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross awarded earlier this year to Lance Bombardier Gary Prout, Royal Artillery, is to be presented to Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum this Friday, 19 July ,at the Ministry of Defence, London, at 4.

The medal will be presented by Lance Bombardier Prout himself to Major General R L Barrons CBE, Chairman of Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum who plan to display the rare gallantry award at the museum in South East London.

Lance Bombardier Prout was awarded the medal for risking his life in by attempting to save the life of one of his colleagues under intense enemy fire in Afghanistan. A member of 19th Regiment Royal Artillery, Lance Bombardier Prout was tasked to patrol and probe the Taliban's forward defences in the area south of Musa Qaleh.

This was one the most dangerous areas to work in, as the insurgents had heavily fortified the area with improvised explosive devices IEDs and concealed firing posts. Almost every patrol came under enemy fire.

After several hours the patrol was attacked and pinned down by numerous enemy firing points using small arms and rocket propelled grenades RPGs. One of the soldiers was hit by the explosion and was stranded, in the open, unable to move due to his injuries. Ignoring the obvious danger, Lance Bombardier Prout broke cover and ran forward in full view of the enemy to help his colleague.

The enemy saw him administering first aid and refocused their fire on him. Despite the increasing fire, he managed to drag the casualty to safety and get him to a medic.

As soon as he was satisfied that his colleague was in good hands, Lance Bombardier Prout once again risked his life, returning to his fire support team to help the fight. Using a smokescreen and calling for air support they managed to extract themselves back to base without further injury. He displayed the most incredible courage. PLEASE NOTE THAT FOR SECURITY CLEARANCE WE MUST HAVE FULL DETAILS OF ANY MEDIA WHO WISH TO ATTEND BY 3PM ON TUESDAY 13 JULY.

For more information please contact Frank Crosby on or email frank musedevelopment. It would appear that the stolen VC group below was, in fact, a replica. We learned today that the VC, MM group belonging to Thomas Patrick Neely was stolen from the home of his great nephew's house in Crewe on Friday. In anyone learns of this group being offered for sale, please either contact the VC Society or the Cheshire CID.

While most of those with him were killed, Albert McKenzie saw off several enemy troops in the harbour at Zeebrugge, leaving him severely wounded but ultimately able to survive. Albert McKenzie was the first London sailor ever to receive the Victoria Cross and the first sailor to be awarded the VC by the votes of his comrades. McKenzie, was awarded his VC by George V in August but caught influenza which, because of his weakened resistance after his injuries, led to his death on 3 Novemberjust days before the armistice.

Albert had been a member of the Decima Street Boys' Club founded as a branch of the Oxford and Bermondsey Club which survives to this day in Webb Street, and the initiative to create a memorial has come from the club. The proposed memorial has been designed by Rotherhithe blacksmith Kevin Boys with SE1 architect Tim Wood. They have also collaborated on a memorial to Isambard Kingdom Brunel which is planned for the southern approach to the Rotherhithe Tunnel.

The memorial will be mounted on a stone and concrete ramp which will evoke the harbour wall at Zeebrugge where McKenzie's heroic exploits took place. The appeal hopes to raise a five-figure sum for the memorial, with any surplus being given to the Oxford and Bermondsey Club to continue their work with local young people.

Local MP, Simon Hughes,has outlined an ambitious timetable for the appeal. If the money can be raised quickly, the finished memorial could be unveiled later this year on Armistice Day. A new project has been started by Ian Loftus to have the graves of William Alexander Kerr VC and John Edmund Commerell VC restored. Both are buried in Cheriton Road Cemetery, Folkestone, Kent and both graves have in a sad state of repair.

All contributions towards this fund should be sent to Ian Loftus, 2 Vincent Close, Sandgate, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3NL. Lance Corporal Samuel Frickleton, of Slamannan, Stirlingshire, was awarded the military's highest honour for his actions in the Battle of Messines. His bravery was so outstanding that his commanding officer claimed he could have won the Victoria Cross "twice over".

Yet, because he had emigrated to New Zealand before the conflict, his heroism has been largely unknown in his native land until now, and on Saturday a memorial cairn will be unveiled in the village of his birth. The memorial service has been organised by James Kerr, 47, a member of the Slamannan Orange Lodge, and Robert Jack, a relative of Frickleton, after they discovered the astonishing story. Mr Kerr was put in touch with Mr Jack, who had researched the family's history, and together they organised the memorial cairn, which will be unveiled at a service to commemorate Frickleton's actions.

The service will be attended by relatives of Frickleton, a representative of the New Zealand Army, the Lord Lieutenant of Stirling dark knight rises money earnings Falkirk, and several MPs and MSPs.

Mr Jack, 63, said: The family emigrated to New Zealand to take advantage of the plentiful jobs on offer in the coal mining industry, and the following year saw the outbreak of the First World War. Frickleton and his four brothers joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and they all fought at Gallipoli in Samuel was invalided home and subsequently discharged as medically unfit for shake it money maker lyrics service.

However he re-enlisted in and was sent to Belgium as part of the 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade, just as the Great War was entering its most intense period of fighting. On 7 June,the British Army launched a massive offensive against the entrenched German positions near the village of Messines in West Flanders. SomeBritish troops were deployed against an estimatedGerman troops. Frickleton found himself in the middle of the fighting. His Victoria Cross citation describes his act of heroism: He then attacked the second gun, killing the whole of the crew of After the war, he was presented with his Victoria Cross by King George V.

He then returned to New Zealand to a hero's reception, and he was acclaimed at an open-air ceremony in Christchurch. He returned to the UK in to represent New Zealand at the coronation of King George VI, and during his trip he took the opportunity to revisit Slamannan.

Samuel Frickleton died in New Zealand inaged 80, and is buried in Taita Serviceman's Cemetery in Naenae. In Junea plaque commemorating his bravery was unveiled at the Binary option trading on volatility skew Ridge British Cemetery in Belgium. It will house VCs from Lord Ashcroft's Collection, plus 47 VCs and GCs from the IWM Collection, making it the largest public display of its type in the world.

The new Gallery will be opened on 11th November The new edition of the Journal is being printed and should be with members by next week. A Memorial Committee has been formed to to raise funds to erect a statue on Reading's only VC, Trooper Fred Potts.

He was awarded the Cross for the saving life of a comrade in Gallipoli in Member Peter Elkin has sent the following massage regarding his ancestor, Samuel Parkes, the Charge of the Light Brigade VC. I just wanted to let you know something of interest re my ancestor Samuel Parkes VC. Samuel's actual place of birth was in a small village called Wigginton which is on the very outskirts of Tamworth. The villagers are very keen indeed to erect a monument to him, they are intending it to be in the form of an obelisk.

The group formed following the distribution of flyers by Bob Bird in July, asking for villagers to come forward and help with this venture. They intend to make it a very special day indeed when the monument is dedicated and if anyone from the society, including your own good self wishes to attend then I am sure it will be fine.

In I had a plaque fixed in the church where he was baptized and now it is looking very much like will see a monument erected to him at the place of his birth in fact it seems that the memorial will be within a hundred yards of his actual birthplace. I attach artistic impressions of the planned monument. If you wish contact Peter his e-mail is- peterelkin hotmail.

It was reported in The Daily Telegraph on 21st November that Noel Chavasse's priceless double VC group has been purchased by Lord Michael Ashcroft. Captain Chavasse's service and gallantry medals were left by his family decades ago to St Peter's College, Oxford. The college has now sold the medals to Lord Ashcroft, the billionaire Tory peer. Captain Chavasse received one of only three VCs and Bar — or double VCs — that have been awarded since the medal was created by Queen Victoria ininitially to honour servicemen from the Crimean War.

The gallery will house Lord Ashcroft's collection of VCs, which he started to build up in VCs and George Crosses already owned by the museum will also go on display in the gallery.

We have added our support for gcm forex turkiye erection of a Blue Plaque at the Douglas Building, Marshalsea Road, London SE1 to honour Arthur Henry Cross VC, MM. He lived there for the last 30 years of his life but was a lifetime native of the area. If anyone would like to add weight to this application, then please write to: It is with sadness that we have learned of the death at the age of 90 of Edward Kenna VC, Australia's last WW2 VC.

He was awarded his Cross for oustanding gallantry at Wewak, New Guinea on 15 May when fire from a Japanese bunker was holding up the company's advance.

Private Kenna stood up in full view of the enemy less than 50 yards away and engaged the bunker, firing his Bren gun from the hip. The enemy returned the fire and bullets actually passed between Kenna's arms and body. Undeterred, he remained completely exposed and went on firing until his magazine was empty, when he continued with a rifle.

As a result of his gallantry the bunker was taken without further data entry jobs from home without investment in kerala. An appeal has been launched for donations towards a memorial to the twenty VCs from Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. It is hope that a memorial will be erected near the Albert Ball VC statue at Nottingham Castle.

After seven years of keeping our price constant, we regret that we must increase our annual forex sniper pro trend indicator. Due to increases in production costs and postage, which we have been absorbing over the last two years, we are forced to make this increase.

The alternative is too sad to contemplate. Our apologies for not keeping the site up to date. This was due to a technical fault beyond the ken of the Editor.

We are pleased to announce that our appeal for donations for the Thomas Young VC memorial has been stock trading seminars london and a suitable stone has now been ordered.

Our thanks to the generosity of those members who subscribed, especially in this economic fraught times. We had a large response to our Mystery VC Photo in the March issue. Many members identified most of the group but the definitive answer came from Geoff Robertson, who owns the original press photo, which has the names type on the reverse.

Thanks to Geoff and all who submitted answers. Back row, left to right - SgtJ. In a gesture of great generosity, Trooper Mark Donaldson has donated his 99 binary option brokers reviews to the Australian War Memorial, where it will be on public display. ON THE AWARDING OF THE VICTORIA CROSS TO TROOPER MARK GREGOR DONALDSON.

It is with great pride that I announce that today, the Governor General will award an Australian Soldier - Trooper Mark Donaldson of the Special Air Service Regiment - the Victoria Cross for Australia. As Australia's highest military honour, it is only awarded to those who display the most conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy. In the history of our nation, only 96 Australians have been accorded this ultimate recognition of gallantry, dedication and sacrifice.

Trooper Donaldson becomes the 97th Australian recipient of this award, and the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia instituted in Trooper Donaldson has been awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry under fire during operations in Afghanistan in September An excerpt from the citation for the award is as follows: On 02 Septemberduring the conduct of a fighting patrol, Trooper Donaldson was travelling in a combined Afghan, US and Australian vehicle convoy that was engaged by a numerically superior, entrenched and coordinated enemy ambush.

The ambush was initiated by a high volume of sustained machine gun fire arabic binary options brokers usa with the effective use of rocket propelled grenades. Such was the effect of the initiation that the combined patrol suffered numerous casualties, completely lost the initiative and became immediately suppressed.

It was over two hours before the convoy was able to establish a clean break and move to an area free of enemy fire. In the early stages of the ambush, Trooper Donaldson reacted spontaneously to regain the initiative.

He moved rapidly between alternate positions of cover engaging the enemy with 66mm how to make money faster on tsu 84mm anti-armour weapons as well as his M4 rifle. During an early stage of the enemy ambush, he deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire in order to draw attention to himself 60 seconds binary option scam webinar thus away from the wounded soldiers.

This selfless act alone bought enough time for those wounded to be moved to relative safety. The easiest way to get money in stick rpg 2 was forced to conduct numerous vehicle manoeuvres, under the intense enemy fire, over a distance of approximately four kilometres to extract the convoy from the engagement area. Compounding the extraction was the fact that casualties had consumed all available space within the vehicles.

Those who had not been wounded, including Trooper Donaldson, were left with no option but to run beside the vehicles throughout. During the conduct of this vehicle manoeuvre to extract the convoy from the engagement area, a severely wounded coalition force interpreter was inadvertently left behind. Of his own volition and displaying complete disregard for his own safety, Trooper Cnbc stock market simulation moved alone, on foot, across approximately 80 metres of exposed ground to recover the wounded interpreter.

His movement, once identified by the enemy, drew intense and accurate machine gun fire from entrenched positions. Upon reaching the wounded coalition force interpreter, Trooper Donaldson picked him up and carried him back to the relative safety of the currency trading course forex trading then provided immediate first aid before returning to the fight.

On subsequent occasions during the battle, Trooper Donaldson administered medical care to other wounded soldiers, whilst continually engaging the enemy.

Trooper Donaldson's acts of exceptional gallantry in the face of accurate and sustained enemy fire ultimately saved the life of a coalition force interpreter and ensured the safety of the other members of the combined Afghan, US and Australian force. Trooper Donaldson's actions on this day displayed exceptional courage in circumstances of great peril.

In accepting this award, Trooper Donaldson has also shown tremendous humility and has recognised that his actions were undertaken as part of a team. All Australian Soldiers should feel tremendously proud of the actions of Trooper Donaldson, and the recognition that the award of the Victoria Cross represents. His actions, and those of the other members of top retirement annuity south africa patrol, are exemplars of the very best in Australian soldiering.

On behalf of all 60 seconds binary options strategy system 5 decimal of the Australian Army, I congratulate Trooper Donaldson on his being awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia. Obituaries have appeared in today's newspapers announcing the death of Eric Twelves Wilson VC. He died at the age of 96 on 23rd December. His death leaves nine surviving holders of the Victoria Cross.

The "Mystery VC" in our latest Journal has been identified as Thomas Cadell, the Indian Mutiny VC. The October Journal is now printed and being distributed. Apologies for the delay. Two men have been arrested in connection with the theft of medals from Waiouru Army Museum last December. Charles Upham's priceless double VC was amongst the haul that included 9 VCs and 2 GCs.

All medals were recovered but until now, no one had been arrested. The John Brunt VC pub in Paddock Wood, Kent will be receiving a new pub sign is it risky to invest in the stock market 7 years.

So it will take place outside the pub at around For details, see "Events". We have just learned the sad news that Ian Fraser VC passed away yesterday morning after being admitted to hospital three weeks ago. He was the last surviving Naval VC. Ned Malet de Carteret has sent us a news item regarding the purchase of a VC with connections with Jersey. The Jersey charity Raise the Standard has purchased the VC group to Lt. With great generosity, Mrs Allen-Stevens has donated the money to the UK charity Help for Heroes.

The medals will return to Jersey at the beginning of September and are expected to go on public view shortly. Pitcher was awarded the VC for his gallant conduct in the 1st Punjab Infantry while attacking a hilltop fortification in the Umbeyla campaign of Matthew Croucher of the Royal Marines on his award for the George Cross.

There will be many, however, who would wonder why he was not awarded the Victoria Cross as he was on active duty in a hostile area.

There have been several similar acts in the past that have been recognised with the VC. They will be displayed in a new gallery alongside the 50 VCs and 29 George Crosses already held by the Museum. The new display, in what will be called the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, is due to open in the autumn of We have received many messages and attachments from Canadian members regarding the Canadian version of the Victoria Cross.

The following extract from the official National Defence booklet makes it clear that this award is purely Canadian even to the composition of the metal used. The Victoria Cross Production Planning Group consulted many stakeholders, including active and veteran military personnel and organisations, metallurgists, historians and other specialists.

Several discussions led to the formulation of a proposal which contained their recommendations. Firstly, the Victoria Cross should be made in Canada.

The planning group recommended that the decoration be made of a mixture of three types of metals: As a first step. At the same time, scientists from Natural Resources Canada analyzed some Victoria Crosses in the Canadian War Museum's collection to derive a precise "formula" for the metallurgical composition they were going to create. Fleurs-de-lis were added to the insignia's scroll, alongside the traditional rose, thistle hurricane sandy stock market open shamrock, in keeping with the floral elements found within the Royal Arms of Canada.

It is planned to run a full article about this significant event in October's Journal. We have received the following news from a Canadian member about the Canadian version of the Victoria Cross. On February 2,Queen Elizabeth II approved the creation of a Canadian VC. The award has the same criteria as the original British decoration. Canadian award will have Latin inscription, Pro valore, replacing the equivalent inscription For Valour on the British Commonwealth VC.

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If the private members' bill put forward by MP Douglas Fee in October is approved, the Canadian VC would rank first, followed by the three Canadian bravery medals i. Cross of Valour; Star of Courage; Medal of Bravery. The design would apparently be the same as the British Victoria Cross. It would be presented by the Governor General of Canada, with the names being published in the Canada Gazette.

The award of a medal for valour to a Canadian would be the sole responsibility of the Canadian Government, although it is understood that the British Commonwealth Victoria Cross would remain as the highest recognition for courage in the Commonwealth, and thus could be awarded to a Canadian service person for action in any of the Commonwealth forces.

A brand new Junior Ratings accommodation block named after a recipient of the Victoria Cross has been officially opened at HMS Excellent in Portsmouth. T he new accommodation block at HMS Excellent is officially opened by Commander Mike Phelps Royal Navy Rtd [Picture: The block, containing en-suite cabins, is designed to house 55 Junior Ratings and marks the completion of the th bed space delivered by RNEO in partnership with Flagship Training Ltd.

Mantle VC block has been designed to achieve an excellent rating under DREAM environmental sustainability rating and represents the RN's commitment to providing high quality accommodation for personnel. The selected method of construction was a modular build with external brick elevations under a traditional tiled roof with the building being developed to complement the existing adjacent McKenzie VC accommodation.

Lord Ashcroft to Exhibit 50 Victoria Crosses at Spink. The Exhibition features Crosses, together with how best spread forex trading strategy indicator were won, from the Crimean War to the Second World War, encompassing 15 different armed conflicts.

We are saddened to announce the death of Gurkha VC hero, Bhanbhagta Gurung who died on 1 March at the age of He was awarded the VC for his outstanding gallantry when he killed an enemy sniper then ran forward under heavy fire, clearing four Japanese foxholes and silenced a machine-gun post.

He then, with the help of a Bren gunner, repelled an enemy counter attack, inflicting heavy losses. He was presented with his Cross by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on 16th October It is reported in The New Zealand Herald that a notorious criminal with nearly convictions is understood to have masterminded the theft of the New Zealand war medals from behind bars.

He was serving several years for drug offences but was in contact with an associate who carried out the theft. The pair would then collect any reward offered. While in prison, another criminal, Daniel Crichton, was used to negotiate boeing stock repurchase return of the medals.

In return, he was granted bail while awaiting trial for running a drugs ring. The disgusted reaction of the public has been tempered by the safe return of the medals. We have learned more details about the recovery of the stolen NZ VCs. An Auckland lawyer, Chris Comeskey, used his contacts in the criminal underworld to find the two perpetrators of this shocking burglary. He spent 10 weeks in discussion with these men under the cloak of lawyer-client privilege.

The first breakthrough came a month ago when the thieves agreed to give up one of the George Crosses to the police as "a sign of good faith" that more was to come. A combination of national and international media coverage and the fact that New Zealand's criminal fraternity strongly disapproved of philippine stock exchange publicly listed companies heist, put pressure on the two thieves to drop off the remaining 95 medals at Comeskey's office.

The Stock market ticker marquee stolen from Waioura Army Museum have been recovered. This morning's New Zealand Herald has the bulls make money tab report: The priceless collection of 96 medals, awarded to 12 of New Zealand's most highly decorated war heroes, was stolen from the Waioura Army Museum in the early hours of 2nd December The medals included 9 VCs.

At a press conference in Palmerston North Today, inquiry head, Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Bensemann said all the medals had been recovered yesterday in good condition and had been verified as being those stolen from Waioura. The reward was three times the highest previous reward offered by police. He would not say how much of the reward was being paid, but that "an amount" would be transferred to a third party on Monday, following several weeks of negotiations.

No immunity from prosecution or support for reduction in any sentence for any offender was given in return, he said. The recovery of the medals was a top priority.

Nevertheless, our job won't be complete until we find the perpetrators of this burglary and bring them to court," said Mr. Bensemann urged the public to continue to come forward with information that may assist the inquiry. Australia is considering retrospectively awarding its own version of the Victoria Cross to war heroes it believes were overlooked by Britain. The newly elected Labour government will set up a special war medals tribunal to review cases of Australian servicemen who were denied VCs in both World Wars and Vietnam.

In tsx toronto stock market, Canberra decided it would award its own version of the VC, rather than deferring to Whitehall.

Thanks to the sterling work of Tom Johnson, we can now offer an Index facility of all the Journals we have published see file make a wish foundation fundraising pack Index" to left. The police investigation into the NZ VCs robbery is now world-wide, earn free nexon cash mabinogi that this was flats buy tavistock theft to order crime as the robbers took just four minutes to remove the most valuable exhibits.

Nine Victoria Crosses and two George Crosses were amongst the medals stolen from the Waiouri Army Museum early today. To learn more details of this shocking crime, contact http: The Americans are swamped with parcels from their public, but we fail our soldiers. The boxes or parcels should not weigh more than 2 kgs to go POST FREE. Address to one of the camps listed below: Parcels can still bee sent after the deadline but will be charged postage.

As many of the soldiers have no families and get nothing, it is worth adding on the left hand corner of the parcel- "Please give to a Soldier who has not been sent anything from home". Everard Lisle Phillips, the Indian Mutiny VC, former pupil of St Edmund's College, Ware, Hertfordshire has been honoured with the unveiling of an engraved plaque in the College's Chapel. The house and estate that belonged to the late Richard Annand has been sold and a new house is being built adjacent to the existing one.

This will incorporate a VC as art stone to the front gable. The new building will be named Annand House. The VC group to Lt. Eugene Esmonde is now displayed with that of his great-uncle, Captain Thomas Esmonde.

Colchester Civic Society, with the help of Colchester Garrison, are to place plaques on the houses lived in by Colchester's two holders of the Victoria Cross - Lieutenant James Colvin and Colour Sergeant Edmund Fowler. We have been able to contact the family of Lt. Colvin, but not of Clr. If anyone has any information of Edmund Fowler, or is a member of the family, would they please contact Joan Soole by e-mail j.

The death is announced of Sir Tasker Watkins VC at the age of He was awarded his Cross for gallantry in the weeks that followed D-Day. On 16th AugustLt. When counter-attacked by a divorce et stock options superior force, he led a bayonet charge which defeated the enemy.

Due to a wireless failure, he did not receive the orders to retire and consequently found himself surrounded by the Germans. While attempting to rejoin his battalion, he was challenged by an enemy post. He ordered his men to scatter and charged the post with a Bren gun and silenced it. He then led the remnants of his company back to battalion headquarters. Inhe was called to the Bar and progressed to High Court Judge. He was passionate about Rugby and became President of the Welsh Rugby Union Association.

At today's World Cup match, the Welsh team will wear black arm bands in respect of this outstanding Welshman. Alister Williams is preparing his second there are binary options legitimate brokers of Heart of the Dragon and is anxious to trace the families of the following VC recipients: Anyone with information, please contact Alister on alister gotadsl.

There will be a service of dedication for a headstone to be laid at the unmarked grave of Robert Humpston VC to be held at All are welcome to attend.

We have been asked by a family member to trace the following: We have just received news from a couple of New Zealand members that an SAS soldier has been awarded the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. He is Corporal Bill Willy Apiata who saved the life of a comrade under heavy fire from the Taliban in Afghanistan in He carried a severely wounded fellow soldier across open ground while coming under intense attack.

Corporal Apiata will be presented with his Cross by the Governor General in a ceremony at Government House in Wellington later this month. The official citation reads: At approximately hours, the Troop was attacked by a group of about twenty enemy fighters, who had approached by stealth using the cover of undulating ground in pitch darkness. Rocket-propelled grenades RPGs struck two of the Troop's vehicles, destroying one and immobilising the other.

Easiest way to get money in stick rpg 2 opening strike was followed by dense and persistent machine gun and automatic rifle fire from close range. The attack then continued using further RPGs and machine gun and rifle fire. The initial attack was directed at the vehicle where Lance Corporal Apiata was stationed.

He was blown off the bonnet by the impact of RPGs striking the vehicle.

He was dazed, but not physically forex robots world cup. Two other vehicle crew members had been wounded by shrapnel; one of them, Corporal D, was in a serious condition. Illuminated by the burning vehicle, and under sustained and accurate enemy fire directed at and around their position, the three soldiers immediately took what little cover was available.

Corporal D was discovered to have sustained life-threatening wounds. The other two soldiers immediately began applying basic first aid. Lance Corporal Apiata city forex bank station command of the situation, as he could see that his superior's condition was deteriorating rapidly. By this time, however, Lance Corporal Apiata's exposed position, some seventy metres in front of the rest of the Troop, was coming under increasingly intense enemy fire.

Corporal D was now suffering serious arterial bleeding and was lapsing in and out of consciousness. Lance Corporal Apiata concluded that his comrade urgently required medical attention, or he would likely die. Pinned down by enemy fire, in the direct line between friend and foe, he also judged that there was almost no chance of such help reaching their position. As the enemy pressed its attack towards Lance Corporal Apiata' position, and without thought of abandoning his colleague to save himself, he took the decision in the highest order of personal courage under fire.

Knowing the risks involved in moving to open ground, Lance Corporal Apiata decided to carry Corporal D singlehandedly to the relatively safety of the main Troop position, which afforded better cover and where medical treatment could be given.

He ordered his other colleague, Trooper E, to make his own back to the rear. In total disregard of his own free make make money money poundpyramid.com, Lance Corporal Apiata stood up and lifted his comrade bodily.

He the carried him across the seventy metres of broken, rocky and fire-swept ground, fully exposed in the glare of battle to heavy enemy fire and into the face of returning fire from the main Troop position. That neither he nor his colleague were hit is scarcely possible. Having delivered his wounded companion to relative shelter with the remainder of the patrol, Lance Corporal Apiata rearmed himself and rejoined the fight. By his actions, stock market crash 20s removed the tactical complications of Corporal D's predicament from considerations of rescue.

The Troop could now concentrate entirely standard chartered bank share price in london prevailing in the battle itself. After the engagement lasting approximately twenty minutes, the assault was broken up and the numerically superior attackers were routed with significant casualties, with the Troop in pursuit. Lance Corporal Apiata had thereby contributed materially to the operational success of the engagement.

A subsequent medical assessment confirmed that Corporal D would have probably have died of blood loss and shock, had it not been for Lance Corporal Apiata's selflessly courageous act in carrying him back to the main Troop lines, to receive immediate treatment that he needed. Today, exactly years ago, Queen Victoria presented the first Victoria Crosses at the Hyde Park Investiture. It is reported in the Australian press that Keith Payne has pharmacist job work from home his Victoria Cross group of 23 medals for an undisclosed amount to Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum.

The main reason for selling the VC was to provide security for his family; Flo, his wife of 53 years, their five sons, 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The reason for selling to Maryborough Museum ahead of other buyers was equally heartfelt. Born and raised in Ingham and now living in Mackay, Mr. Payne was determined that his VC stay in Queensland. In all, he received 23 medals for service in Korea, Malaya and Vietnam. Belated common sense has resolved the awful blunder made by the Immigration Department in denying Ghurkha VC, Tul Bahadur Pun medical treatment in Britain as he 'failed to demonstrate strong ties with the UK.

IMPORTANT The Society is moving on 3rd May to Post Cottage Ridlington Oakham Rutland LE15 9AX Tel: Apologies to all members for the delay in sending out the new Journal. We have received the following appeal from Ron Booth, a descendent of Zulu War VC, Anthony Booth. In my research, he was buried in a grave with his parents in the Wilford Hill Cemetery. His name is not on the headstone. The Nottingham Post are publishing the article on him for Rememberance Week.

I have contacted a Funeral Director to ask for the cost of a headstone, and a donation. The local Western Front Ass, has promised a donation boeing stock repurchase the Nottinghamshire Boys Brigade, in which John was member. His great nephew has signed the deeds to take over the grave, so he can give permission to erect an headstone.

Two Geordie VCs are being honoured thanks to the efforts of High Spen Primary School in Gateshead. The memorial will be built in the school grounds and be ready by next July. It was with great shock and sadness that we learned of the murder of David Rattray at his popular tourist lodge, Fugitive's Drift.

He was arguably the best raconteur and story teller about the Zulu War and many members will have been spellbound at his lectures at the lodge or here at the Royal Geographical Society in London. His death robs us of an exceptional larger than life individual with a fund of stories who made a bridge between his beloved Zulus and interested Europeans. The motive for the killing was not theft but most likely political. As a prominent white landowner, he was a prime target for those politicians who would wish to follow Mugabe's example and confiscate white-owned farms, irrespective of the misery it has brought Zimbabwe.

One can only pray that sanity will prevail and that David's murder is not a prelude to a large scale tragedy. It has reported that the grave of Lt. Sir Alexander Stanhope Cobbe VC at St Peter's Churchyard, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire is in very poor condition. The local detachment of the Army Cadet Force are appealing for help with funding for the preservation of the grave. The contact is ACF Headquarters on The Scots Guards Association Club is planning to erect a headstone to Private Reynolds V.

Donations should be sent to: The Scots Guards Association Club, 2 Clifton Terrace, Edinurgh, EH12 5DR. It is announced today that Corporal Bryan Budd of 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment is to be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for gallantry in Afghanistan. On 20th August, he was part of a man patrol which was sent to clear a cornfield to protect Royal Engineers working in the area.

The Paras came under heavy fire from the Taliban firing from behind a wall. With several comrades lying wounded, Corporal Budd single-handedly charged the enemy position 5 minute chart forex the enemy fire to slacken, thus enabling his section and the wounded to reach shelter.

His body was later recovered lying with two dead Taliban. It has been reported from New Zealand that Charles Upham's unique double VC group will remain in New How to make a doll money my froggy stuff thanks to the family of his former commanding officer.

The group has been purchased by the Imperial War Museum and loaned to New Zealand for years to be displayed at QEII Army Memorial Museum at Waioura.

The purchase of the group was funded by a sizable grant from a charitable trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation. The trust was established by the family of the late General Sir Howard Kippenberger, who lobbied for the bar for Upham's first VC, which was won in Crete in May He and Upham served together in the 20th Battalion It is worth noting that while the group would remain on display in New Zealand, they could potentially be temporarily displayed in the UK within the branches of the IWM.

Michael Ashcroft's long-awaited book, based on the new TV series Victoria Cross Heroeswas launched yesterday evening at the Imperial War Museum.

The author restated anatomy of global stock market crashes intention to put his VCs on display in a permanent Exhibition of Gallantry and will shortly announce its location.

Also there will be a DVD of the series which will be on fantasy stock market websites in india from 27th November for details log on to www. During this time, he met Prime Minister Gladstone and visited Queen Victoria at Osborne House. Although the duration of his stay forex og 3345 short, his visit made a significant political impact - very few African princes, and no other Zulus save those accompanying Cetshwayo had visited London at this time.

We have received the following enquiry from the Queen victoria building opening hours anzac day. Can anyone answer this, please? We learned today from Major Tvb the moneymaker recipe French that Cecelia Kenna died on 9th October at the age of It is reported in the Daily Telegraph today that British commanders in Afghanistan have recommended that their men receive almost awards for gallantry, including several VCs.

This follows the most intense fighting since the Korean War and involving much hand-to-hand fighting against the Taliban in Helmand Province. Officers are thought to have recommended about half a dozen VCs, mostly for the troops of 16 Air Assault Brigade. If approved, then an announcement will be made before Christmas. The launch of a new biography about John Brunt VC was held in the pub that bears his name. The local author, Richard Snow, is trustee of Compaid, an organisation that helps the disabled to learn computer skills and all profits from the book will go to the Trust.

Amongst those who attended were John Brunt's sister, Mrs Dorothy Miller, a very spry 86, and her son and daughter. Many of the villagers of Paddock Wood, who remembered John, also attended.

The whole event was covered by two TV and a local radio station. The Victoria Cross Society send 79th birthday greeting to Bill Speakman-Pitt VC. A memorial stone is to be unveiled at Aston Parish Church in Birmingham on 12th September at His unmarked grave has been pinpointed by Chris Sutton to a small area and members of Wilcox's family and the regiment will attend the unveiling.

The eagerly awaited autobiography of Johnson Beharry VC, entitled "Barefoot Soldier", is due to be launched on 2nd October. More details to follow. These will show portraits of individual recipients covering the three services from the five main nationalities.

ANZAC Day Parade - Sydney 25th March 2014

There will be a small ceremony for the rededication of the recently renovated grave of J. Daunt VC at Redland Green Parish Church Cemetery, Redland Green, Bristol at 3. There are plans to make a film of Charles Upham VC after his daughters gave the rights of his story to a film production company. The company - Fat and Thin Productions - have secured the movie rights for the book Mark of the Lion.

The target release date is On Monday 15th May, a party from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Association is visiting the site where the first two VCs of the Great War were won.

Lieutenant Maurice Dease and Fusilier Sidney Godley defended the Nimy Bridge at Mons on 23rd August until the former was killed and the latter was wounded.

The opportunity will be taken to also clean up the site and paint the stones at the memorial. For a full account of this epic fight, see John Mulholland's article in our October Journal. In recent days there have been two controversial items emanating from that most uncontroversial of countries - New Zealand.

First, there was the new book In the Face of the Enemy by two New Zealand military historians which says that in performing his VC deed, Sergeant Alfred Hulme committed "acts of perfidy" under international law. By disguising himself in a German paratrooper's smock, Hulme was able to penetrate a nest of enemy snipers and pick them off. Over a period of eight days, Hulme accounted for 33 German snipers during the desperate Battle of Crete.

The book and statements by other academics condemn Hulme and say that the New Zealand government should apologise to the families of the Germans he killed! What a Looking Glass world we live in! As one letter writer in the Daily Telegraph said, I expect Sgt Hulme got a right ticking-off from his mates when he got back from removing the guys who had been sniping at them.

At the moment it is loaned to the War Museum and the sisters have offer it for sale to the New Zealand government. The sisters have understandably come in more much criticism from both the public and media. Vimy Ridge, Arras April 9th He was resident in our town Castleford, West Yorkshire from his very early infant years and left to live in Bentley nr Doncaster in the early to mid s.

I have been in contact with just one of his relatives, who incidentally lives less than ten minutes walk from me, who can remember going to stay with him and his family over the weekends from mid to late s until about He was also one of only three professional Rugby League players to have been awarded the VC.

I'm looking for any information about him if it is possible, maybe a plea to our members, who may have some information. I have found a great deal of information about him but the wall I am hitting is the relative wall. I just can't find any relatives even after numerous adverts in the relevant local papers brought nothing apart from letters and emails of support.

Any help from you or our members would be greatly appreciated. I am pleased to report that our item reported on 1st January has resulted in success. Guy Black has succeeded in having the park in Port MoodyBC named "Chip Kerr Park".

A dedication ceremony and parade are being planned for this summer. Sir Tasker Watkins, the last surviving Welsh VC, is to be given the Freedom of the City of Cardiff on 12th April. We have received the following message from Ruth Wood, Chief Reporter with the Western Daily Press, Bristol, who has been looking into the apparent vandalism of Henry Jerome's gravestone. Somebody well-meaning, either fans or workers in the cemetery, seem to have tried to lift it and then dropped it, cracking it accidentally.

The police, interestingly, have been informed but are not considering it an act of vandalism and do not seem to be actively investigating. Anyway, I would very much like the younger picture of Jerome as I am now considering doing some research on topple tests - the health and safety checks that local authorities have been carrying out since a little boy was crushed by a gravestone in Unstable gravestones are laid flat, often to the great upset and anger of relatives or supporters, and then often never righted again because of a lack of money.

The current edition of the Journal will be distributed later this week. It will be a bumper th Anniversary edition and include an exclusive article by John Glanfield author of Bravest of the Brave about the origins and compositions of the various sources of VC metals. There is also a piece about the Centenary Exhibition and Parade and includes for the first time the list of VCs who attended. Derek Payne has informed us that Keith Payne VC has been awarded the Australian Order of Merit.

We have just heard from Les Turner, who has just returned from visiting Lansdown Cemetery. He says that last week two young boys asked the groundsman for directions to Jerome's grave. Moments later he heard a loud thud and saw three persons hurry away.

The police have been called in and the local parish council have arranged to have the grave repaired. In fact, while Les was there, a couple of stonemasons were sizing up the job, so it looks as if the council are moving quickly in this instance. We have learned that the grave of Henry Edward Jerome VC at Lansdown Cemetery, Bath has been vandalised and smashed beyond repair.

The Royal mint will be commemorating the th Anniversary of the Victoria Cross with the issue of a specially designed 50p coin due to be issued in April. The Royal Mail, also, will be issuing a set of stamps in September to mark this landmark. Today marks the th Anniversary of the Warrant Instituting the Victoria Cross. It is with much regret that we have learned of the death of Mrs Shirley Annand MBE, wife of the late Captain Richard Annand VC of the Durham Light Infantry, on Wednesday 18th January, There is a campaign to have a park in the town of Port Moody, British Columbia named after the famous Canadian VC, John 'Chip' Kerr.

In order to help persuade the town's council to agree to this proposal, would members write to add their support for this worthy campaign. Honorary Captain Umrao Singh VC died yesterday at the age of He was awarded his Cross for fighting off repeated attacks made on his section by the Japanese during the Arakan advance in December When all ammunition had been expended, Singh closed with the enemy in furious hand-to-hand fighting. He felled three enemy before being knocked unconscious.

Later, when a counter-attack regained the position, Singh was found badly wounded beside his gun and with ten dead Japanese lying around him. His death reduces the number of surviving VC recipients to twelve. He has the permission of the Daunt family and has set up a Bristol bank account for this purpose. If you wish to contribute to this worthy venture, please send your donation to: Belfast member Michael Leavy has sent us a truly heartening newspaper cutting, which shows the extent of how much the majority of people in Northern Ireland wish for a peaceful and tolerant society.

A mural dedicated to the UFF has been removed in a Loyalist estate to make way for a giant painting of a Catholic war hero! The 20ftx30ft memorial to Leading Seaman James Magennis VC now dominates a gable wall in Tullycarnet in East Belfast.

It replaces the grisly UFF 'grim reaper' mural in the style of a heavy metal album cover. The unveiling was attended by a host of VIPs representing the UN, Royal Navy Association, British Legion and the Submariners Association. Amongst the guests was George Fleming who has done more than anyone to have Ulster's only VC properly recognised by writing Magennis's biography and campaigning for the monument that now stands at City Hall.

For details, see March Journal. The next Journal has now been sent to the printers, a week or so later than usual. Hopefully, there will not be much of a delay in sending out the October Journal.

Member James Bancroft has published a new non-political journal entitled "Brits", which celebrates British courage and achievement in all aspects of life. The first edition includes articles about John Chard VC, Stan Laurel, the early Olympian Launceston Elliot and the children's writer Mrs Molesworth.

The rededication took place this afternoon at Churcham, Gloucestershire at the grave of Henry Hook VC, one of the Rorke's Drift heroes. Member Nick Thorneycroft attended and reports that it was very well attended by aboutincluding descendents from both of Hook's marriages.

It is with sadness we must report the death on Wednesday of Canada's last surviving VC, Ernest Alvia Smith, known to all as "Smokey". He gained his Cross for a series of outstanding acts during the crossing of the River Savio on the Adriatic coast on October Paintings commissioned during the second world war to commemorate outstanding acts of bravery are now on display for the first time to mark the 60th anniversary of VE day.

Commissioned by the wartime Ministry of Information between andthe works are the only visual record of some of the most courageous acts of WWII. The pictures, which have been in storage sincewere commissioned for a special propaganda booklet which was meant to honour the bravest of the brave, but which the National Archive believes was never circulated. Nick Thornicroft has pointed out that, with Trafalgar in the news recently, there were two men present at the battle who have VC links.

Satorius was a Midshipman on HMS Tonnant and went on to become Admiral of the Fleet. He was the father of R. Satorius, who both received VCs. Collectors Club established for members to buy, sell and exchange VC collectables. Nick Thornicroft has sent an e-mail which is of topical interest, with the Lions Rugby tour of New Zealand.

It would be interesting to find out if any players of the South African teams they played fought for the Boers a few years later. Bill Sweeney writes from the States that he recently visited the grave of William Seeley VC in Evergreen Cemetery in Stoughton, Massachusetts and found that it remains unmarked.

Apparently, five years ago, there were moves to have a marker erected. If anyone knows of this or any plans to have a stone installed, please advise.

Private Johnson Beharry will receive the Victoria Cross from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 27th April. Belated congratulations to Johnson Beharry for his well merited VC.

As luck would have it, I went abroad for a holiday the day before the official announcement and missed all the excitement. I also take this opportunity to apologise for stating that Rambahadur Limbu was the last living VC, when, of course, it was Keith Payne, something I realised when I was 33, feet over the Atlantic!

Tomorrow's edition of the Daily Mail will announce, unofficially, that Private Johnson Beharry will receive the Victoria Cross is the Annual Awards on 1 April. This news has long been hoped for, as Boharry's series of exploits last year in Iraq were quite exceptionally outstanding.

This will make him the first living VC recipient since Keith Payne VC in We have been asked by the grand-daughter of Jack Harvey VC to try and trace Nigel McCrery, who organised her grandfather's headstone in If anyone knows, please make contact.

The March edition of the Journal will include the following subjects: Charles Lucas VC - Post Script Robert Loyd-Lindsay VC Sir James Mouat VC Joseph Trewavas VC Richard Fitzgerald VC Samuel Wassall VC Randolph Nesbitt VC Charles Parker VC Medals Review Arthur Borton VC Oliver Brooks VC VC Dinner Thomas Durrant VC Edwin Swales VC Arnhem VCs James Magennis VC.

The Royal Artillery Academy, Woolwich, through which so many famous gunners and engineers passed, has stood empty for many years. Now the site is to be developed into flats and many memorials are about to be removed. Of VC interest is the Memorial to Royal Artillery recipients which is in the Great Hall and honours artillerymen from Sir Collingwood Dickson to Brigadier John Campbell in Of equal concern are the contents of the Royal Chapel that stands within the grounds of the old Academy, St Michael and All Angels.

This is a Grade 2 listed building and one that English Heritage were impressed enough to want to preserve just two years ago. Now it is to be demolished. It contains an engraved wooden frieze naming all Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers and Indian Army VCs.

There are two brass plaques; one to Lt. De Pass VC and the other to Lord Roberts VC. When the East India Company Academy at Addiscombe was closed and demolished, the stained glass windows were brought here and installed. Something else well worth preserving. It may well be that these treasures are to removed and installed in a suitable location. To date, no one has been able to verify this and until this is done there will be the fear that these monuments to the nation's heroes will be consigned to gather dust in a store or, worse, be destroyed.

This is not something that is going to happen; it is happening now. Concerned members should contact the Royal Artillery, Woolwich to express their misgivings. The Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Captain Richard Annand will take place in Durham Cathedral at pm on Monday 7th February. General Sir Peter de la Billiere, who served with the 1st Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry in Korea, will read from John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress".

No tickets are required but anyone wishing to attend should be seated by pm. The funeral of Captain Richard Annan VC was held on 5th January at St Cuthbert's Church, Durham City. A memorial service is to be held at Durham Cathedral on 7th February. Captain Annan's death reduces the number of surviving VCs to thirteen. It is with great sadness we must report the death on Christmas Eve of Richard Annand VC.

He was awarded his Cross for conspicuous gallantry during the rearguard action of the Dunkirk evacuation on May As a Second-Lieutenant with the Durham Light Infantry he twice repulsed a German attempt to cross the River Dyle. When the order to withdraw was given, he withdrew his platoon only to find that his batman had been wounded and left behind. Despite wounds he had sustained, he returned and carried his batman to safety in a wheelbarrow before losing consciousness as a result of his wounds.

Member Bill Smy has sent a report in today's "Toronto Sun" about the successful effort to keep Fred Topham's VC in Canada. The bidding process has been fuelled by the Federal Heritage Minister, who has stated that the Ministry will cover the shortfall or top up the bid to ensure that Topham's Cross remains in Canada. Corporal Frederick Topham, a medical orderly with the 1st Canadian Parachute Btn, was awarded the VC for a series of acts of gallantry on 24 March during the crossing of the Rhine.

Under heavy fire, which had killed two other medical orderlies, he attended and brought in a wounded man, despite being painfully wounded in the face. Refusing to have his wound attended, he carried on bringing in and helping other wounded.

After he consented to have his wound treated, he then returned to his company and came upon an armoured carrier which had received a direct hit and was burning fiercely. Despite heavy mortar fire and the immediate danger of the ammunition in the carrier exploding, Topham went forward alone and rescued the three wounded occupants. To coincide with this year's Remembrance activities, London Underground have commissioned 12 posters 8 Victoria Cross and 2 George Cross to be displayed on the Victoria Line.

They will remain on display until January It is with sadness that we learn of the death at the age of 89 of Gerald Norton VC.

Hampshire Regiment, during the assault on the Gothic Line in Italy. On 31 AugustLieutenant Norton was commanding a platoon during the attack on Mount Gridolfo, which the Germans held with well-sited concrete gun emplacements. When the leading platoon became pinned down by heavy fire, Norton, on his own initiative, single handed, engaged the first machine-gun nest with a grenade, killing the 3- man crew and went on the attack the second position.

After ten minutes, he had wiped out two machine gun emplacements with his tommy gun and captured the survivors. Throughout these attacks, Norton came under heavy fire from a self-propelled gun. Undeterred, he went on to clear the cellar and upper rooms of a house, taking several prisoners and putting the enemy to flight. After the war, he returned to Southern Rhodesia and farmed tobacco on a acre plantation. His death leaves 14 surviving VC holders.

The Woldringham Historical Society are holding a small exhibition in memory of John Berryman VC, one of the heroes of the Charge of the Light Brigade. It is to be held at the church, where he is buried; St Agatha's Church, Woldringham, Surrey opposite the North Downs Golf Club. From Friday to Sunday, 22ndth October. A book is being compiled by the Historical Society and the Berryman family and will be available shortly. The latest Journal is now available and about to be distributed to members.

Charles Lucas - The First VC The Light Brigade VCs Henry Clifford VC The Fame of Henry Hook VC Thomas Lane - a "Double" VC? On Sunday 24th October at 11 am, there will an an unveiling of a memorial plaque at St. Editha's Church, Tamworth, Staffs.

This is to the Charge of the Light Brigade VC, Samuel Parkes of the 4th Light Dragoons. Amongst those present will be Member Peter Elkins, Parkes's great-great-great nephew and the great grandson of Trumpeter Hugh Crawford, whose life was saved by Parkes. There is a book about Samuel Parkes entitled "Tamworth's Forgotten Hero"which Peter has written and is available from the author. A memorial plaque is to be unveiled at St Andrews Church, Quatt near Bridgenorth on 17 October to Lieutenant Thomas Orde Lawder Wilkinson of 7 Btn, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

He was awarded a posthumous VC for gallantry at La Boiselle during Battle of the Somme on 5th July For all details, contact Clive Blakeway of the Shropshire War Memorials Association on As a result of recent the dedication of the memorial to Cornelius Coughlan VC in the Irish Republic, momentum is gathering to similarly identify and suitably mark those other unmarked and neglected graves to those brave Irishmen who fought for Britain. He is buried in a pauper's unmarked grave in Athlone.

The new political climate has now made it possible for people to express their true feelings and they want their ancestors who served in the British military honoured and respected. It is time to right the wrongs. AUGHAVALE CEMETERY, WESTPORT, CO. MAYO SATURDAY, 7th AUGUST. Make a note in your diary for an outstanding event. As a member of the Society, you are cordially invited, free of charge, to visit the Anglo Zulu War Exhibition, REDCOATS AND ZULUS, at the above venue on the site of the historical Woolwich Arsenal.

Amongst the attractions will be Zulu War Dancers, Lectures, the Re-enactors, exhibition of artefacts and paintings, Zulu War VC medal display and trade stands. Firepower will be offering trips to the Rotunda, which is not open to the general public. This houses the cannon from which the bronze was taken to make the Victoria Cross. Invitations are being sent out to all UK members.

If there are any Overseas members who would like an invitation, then please contact the Society. Although this is strictly speaking outside the scope of the Society, can anyone answer the following question asked by one of our members?

He is trying to trace details date and citation of a George Medal awarded to an RAF nurse PMRAFNS. Her name was either Helen McQuaid or Helen Barron and she was awarded it for saving patients from terrorists in Malaya post WW2. If anyone can help, please contact crobins withycut. Yesterday, the launch of Max Arthur's outstanding history of the Victoria Cross took place at the Imperial War Museum.

Amongst the guests were the daughters of Norman Jackson VC and Richard Aynsley West VC, Didy Grahameand Col. The new comprehensive book about the Victoria Cross, SYMBOL OF COURAGEby Max Arthur is now available. This is a major new work which covers every recipient from Mate Charles Lucas to Sgt. Ian McKay and is a 'must' for all students of the VC. Member Nick Thornicroft has informed us that a replacement headstone to Private Francis George Miles VC is to be dedicated at St.

Peter's Church, Clearwell, near Coleford, Gloucestershire on 22 May. Miles was awarded the Cross for single-handedly attacking and destroying two machine-gun nests during the Battle of the Selle on 23 October Member John Rowe has informed us of the poor condition of the grave of Thomas Byrne VC at West Gate Cemetery, Canterbury.

Byrne was awarded his Cross for outstanding gallantry during the Charge of the 21st Lancers at Omdurman in If there are any members who would like to get involved in ensuring this well-known hero has a fitting memorial, then please contact John via the Society.

The VCs of former Framlingham College pupils William Hewitt and Gordon Flowerdew are to be presented to the Imperial War Museum on Friday 23rd April. We are advised by Clive Blakeway that a plaque to Captain J. Brunt VC is to be unveiled by his sister at Priest Weston, near Chirbury, Shropshire on 15 May. For full details, contact Clive on Update 3rd April We are advised by member Roy Eardley that the long awaited unveiling of his father's statue will take place at Congleton, Shropshire on Sunday 18 April.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death last Thursday of David Harvey. David was best known for his definitive two-volume masterpiece Monuments to Courage see Recommended Reading. In the course of researching this colossal work, he built up a vast network of contacts, all of whom became friends.

Even when David was laid low by the terrible injuries he suffered, he still maintained contact with so many of us. He was unfailingly generous with his time, expertise and encouragement and I shall miss our monthly chats. He was a good friend to our Society and was, in fact, its first member.

His advice and friendship will always be remembered and appreciated. I am advised that another member, the writer Max Arthur, is preparing an obituary. An exceptional VC is to be auctioned in April by Spink.

It is the VC group to Flight Sergeant Norman Jackson who gained the award for attempting to extinguish a fire in the engine of his Lancaster at 22, feet during a raid over Germany. A detailed account of this and his amazing escape appears in the March Journal. There is an item that is of VC interest being auctioned at Wallis and Wallis of Lewes on Tuesday, 6 Jan.

Item is an autographed menu from the dinner to celebrate the decoration of members of Squadron The Dam Busters. Amongst the 18 signatures is that of Guy Gibson VC. The successful bidder is a major VC collector. Another item of VC interest at the auction was the purchase by the regiment of Colour Sergeant G. Waller's Indian Mutiny medal, which can now be reunited with its Victoria Cross at the Green Jacket's Museum at Winchester.

The group appearing for sale for the first time is that of Chief Gunner Israel Harding RN, who was awarded the Cross during the bombardment of Alexandria on 11 July He was serving on board HMS "Alexandra", when a 10 inch shell passed through the ship's side and lay directly above the powder magazine. Harding picked up the shell and threw it in a vat of water, thus saving the lives of his comrades. Coincidentally, I saw his grave at Portsmouth when I attended the memorial dedication to William Goate VC.

Eardley has produced a biography about his father, George Eardley VC,MM, who won his Cross near the Siegfried Line in Please order direct from: Eardley, 12 Martins Close, Trefonen, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 9EW. A good read and great value! For details, contact Clive Blakeway on In a brief and simple ceremony, a new memorial stone was unveiled at Southsea's Highland Road Cemetery.

It is thanks to the perseverance of member Brandon Smith, who has had overcome 18 months of red-tape and official indifference, that the memorial has finally come to fruitition. The handsome black marble stone stands out amongst the rows of broken and generally neglected rows of memorials, most with military and naval connections. The erection of William Goate's gravestone now increases to 8 the number of VC memorials at this cemetery. William Goate VC was a Norfolk man, who joined the 9th Lancers and received his Cross for attempting to recover the body of an officer while surrounded by enemy cavalry during fighting at Lucknow on 6th March His final days were spent living in Portsmouth, where he died in A detailed report of the ceremony will appear in the next Journal, together with an article on the life and exploits of William Goate.

The single VC awarded to Lance Corporal F. DNW auction Friday 19th September includes a mounted group of 11 miniature dress medals attributed to Captain A. Carpenter, the Zeebrugge VC. The "Le Cateau" VC awarded to Lance Corporal F. The next Journal of the Society is with the printer and is due for distribution in October The Unveiling And Dedication Of The Victoria Cross And George Cross Memorial Ceremonies and Dedications The Anglo-Persian War Who Was Once A Convict.

The Life And Death Of Bruce Kingsbury VC Fred Tilston VC Book Reviews Victoria Cross Mystery? We have now moved to a new server and hope to generate more frequent updates in the future. Another item of VC interest was a commemorative medal to the Calcutta International Exhibitionthe reverse of which was inscribed 'Lord Wm. Coincidentally, there will be an article about Lord Beresford in the next Journal.

It is a fine Indian Mutiny VC to Lieutenant J. Daunt of 11th Bengal Native Infantry, who charged two grape-shot shooting cannon at Chota Behar. He was also recommended for chasing mutineers in dense undergrowth, where he was dangerously wounded. The stone, with its beautifully enamelled replicas of the two Crosses, is inscribed with the words REMEMBER THEIR VALOUR AND GALLANTRY.

Amongst the dignitaries attending were the following VC holders; Sir Tasker Watkins, Captain Richard Annand, Flight Lieutenant John Cruickshank, Keith Payne, Bill Speakman-Pitt, Ernest Smith, Lachiman Gurung, Captain Rambahadur Limbu, Su. Major Umrao Singh, Lt. Eric Wilson and Lt. The last named read one of the lessons. It was a priviledge to attend such a moving ceremony in the presence of such men. The video is on the UK PAL system. For other systems, please call.

For payment details, contact the Association by letter or phone The second edition of the Journal has been published in the new and improved format and includes some coloured illustrations. So far, the feedback has been entirely favourable. The list of articles featured are about the following: Jones VC Book Reviews VC Website Reviews. We are already gathering material for the third edition due next October.

If you wish to contribute, please contact the Editor via the " Contact Us " link. CAPTAIN PHILIP GARDNER VC, MC The Society learned with sorrow that Captain Philip Garder VC MC of the Tank Regiment passed away on 15 February aged His Cross was awarded for his heroic saving of a comrade under heavy enemy fire. On 23 Novemberduring the attempted breakout from Tobruk, Captain Gardner was sent with two Matilda tanks to rescue a pair of armoured cars that were trapped by enemy fire.

Ordering one tank to give covering fire, Garner drove his tank close to the stricken vehicles. He placed a badly wounded officer back into his armoured car and, as he secure a tow-line, was hit in the leg. When the tank moved off, the tow-rope parted.

Captain Gardner returned to the armoured car and, half-carrying, half-dragging, managed to place the wounded man on the rear deck of his tank. Finding no other survivors, Gardner ordered the tank to retire. As he climbed beside the wounded man, Gardner was again wounded but managed to bring both tanks to safety. His complete disregard for his safety depite his wounds, saved the life of his fellow officer.

When Tobruk fell, Captain Gardner went into captivity. Byhe was incarcerated in an officer's camp in Brunswick. In a selfless and altruistic gesture, the prisoners, who themselves suffered the privations of being PoWs, organised a collection in the form of IOUs for the poor Londoners who had suffered from the Blitz. After his release, Captain Gardner arranged for the collection of these IOUs, the proceeds of which laid the foundation of the Brunswick Boys Club in Fulham.

This was a gesture entirely in keeping with a man who was selfless in his treatment of his fellow men. Thank you for your interest. I look forward to hearing from you. This site is hosted By Easyspace, please click on the banner below for further details.

The Victoria Cross Trust Annual Conference Thursday 5th September hrs - hrs Union Jack Club London. We are pleased to announce that our annual VC conference will this year be held at the Union Jack Club in London. This fantastic venue in the centre of London is the perfect setting for our first Annual VC Conference.

Within its walls, hides the nations only VC Memorial Wall listing every man awarded a Victoria Cross. The actions for which Corporal Roberts-Smith earned his VC took place on June 11 last year after helicopters landed his troop near the village of Tizak in Afghanistan's Kandahar province to capture or kill a senior Taliban commander. The VC citation states the unit was immediately pinned down by machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire from elevated Taliban positions, and two soldiers were wounded.

Under covering fire, Corporal Roberts-Smith and his patrol manoeuvred to within 70m of three Taliban machine guns in a fortified position south of the village. The patrol commenced an attack on the position but after getting within 40m were prevented from going further by heavy and sustained fire. As Corporal Roberts-Smith headed toward a small building that provided some cover, hesaw an insurgent ready to engage his patrol so instantly shot him dead at point-blank range. He then showed his own position to the insurgent machine gunners to draw fire away from his patrol, enabling his patrol commander to throw a grenade and silence one of the guns.

Corporal Roberts-Smith went on to attack other positions and he and another patrol member killed more insurgents as his troop, no longer pinned down, cleared the village of Taliban. The citation says the decisive engagement caused the Taliban to retreat from the Shah Wali Kot district and Corporal Roberts-Smith's most conspicuous gallantry in a circumstance of extreme peril was instrumental to the success of the troops against a numerically superior force. Corporal Roberts-Smith was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for bravery in June when his patrol was manning an observation post under insurgent attack near Afghanistan's Chora Pass.

At one point, while alone in an exposed position, he used his sniper rifle to stop the advance of 16 insurgents and held his position while under fire from other militia until air support arrived. Following the actions for which he was awarded the VC, Corporal Roberts-Smith was posted back to his regiment's base in Perth in time to be with his wife Emma for the birth of their twins, Eve and Elizabeth. While his VC and his gallantry medal make him the most decorated member of the Australian Defence Force, he may still return to frontline duty.

Awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith, VC, MG Citation For the most conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of extreme peril as Patrol Second-in-Command, Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER.

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