THE VICTORIA CROSS
The Victoria Cross is the world's most coveted medal for bravery, awarded only 1,351 times since it was instituted in 1856 (with bars awarded on three occasions). Cast from the bronze of Russian cannons captured as Sebastopol, it has been awarded to a Gloster 8 times:
Surgeon
Herbert Taylor Reade, V.C., C.B. - 61st Regiment - 14
September 1857 - Delhi, India
During the assault on the mutineers in Delhi, Reade was tending
to wounded in a street when a group of rebels began firing on
them from roof tops. Drawing his sword, Reade called a grooup of
men to him and charged the rebels. On the 16th, during the
assault on the magazine, Reade was first through the breach. Born
in Perth, Upper Canada in 1828, he rose to rank of Surgeon
General and died in Somerset, England in 1897.
2nd
Lieutenant Hardy Falconer Parsons, V.C. - 14th Battalion - 21
August 1917 - Epehy, France
During a night attack on the position commanded by Parsons, his
men were forced back, refusing to leave Parsons single-handed
held off the enemy with bombs. Although severely scorched and
burnt he allowed the defenders time to hold the position. He died
of his wounds that day.
Captain
Manley Angell James, V.C., D.S.O., M.C., M.B.E. - 8th Bn - 21
March 1918 - Velu Wood, France
Captain James led his company in an attack, capturing 27
prisoners, although wounded he refused to leave his command. The
next day his company repulsed 3 enemy attacks. Two days later the
enemy broke through, he made a stand to allow the battalion to
withdrawl, leading his company in an assault he was again wounded
and was last seen firing a machine gun single-handed, being
wounded a third time and finally captured.
Lieutenant-Colonel
Dan Burges, V.C., D.S.O. - commanding 7th S.W.B. - 18
September 1918 - Balkans
Gazetted 2nd Lt. Glosters Oct. 1893, served with 61st in South
Africa. (QSA clasp 'RofK', KSA 2 clasps). Adjutant Punjab
Volunteer Rifles 1908-13. With 61st in France, wounded 9 May 1915
commanding 'C' Coy. during a German attack on Sanctuary Wood in
the Ypres Salient. Lt-Col. 1915, commanding 10th Easy Yorks.
Served as Instructor at the Senior Officers School, Oct. 1916 to
March 1917. Commanded 7th South Wales Borderers. Awarded DSO and
VC.
Major (T./Lt.-Col.) Daniel
Burges, D.S.O., Glouc. Regt., Commanding 7th (S) Bn., South Wales
Borderers.
"For
most conspicuous bravery,skilful leading and devotion to duty in
the operations at Jumeaux (Balkans)on the 18th September 1918.
His valuable reconnaissance of the enemy first line trenches
enabled him to bring his battalion without casualties to the
assembly point,and from thence he maintained direction with great
skill, though every known landmark was completely obscured by
smoke and dust. When still some distance from its objective the
battalion came under sevsre machine-gun fire which caused many
casualties amongst company leaders. Lt-Col. Burges, though
himself wounded, quite regardless of his own safety, kept moving
to and fro through his command, encouraging his men and assisting
them to maintain formation and direction. Finally, as they neared
the enemy's position, he led them forward through a decimating
fire until he was again hit twice and fell unconscious. His
coolness and personal courage were most marked throughout and
afforded a magnificent example to all ranks." (London Gazette 13 Dec.
1918)
He survived, but lost a leg. Also mentioned in depsatches 3
times, awarded French Croix de Guerre avec Palme and the Greek
Military Cross. After the war he served on the staff, including
command of a Military Detention Barracks. Retired from the Army
in 1923. Appointed Resident Governor and Major of HM Tower of
London 1923-33. President of the Society of Bristolians in London
and Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers. In 1939 he
volunteered for service and was Assistant Recruiting Officer,
Bristol. Appointed Gloucestershire County Director of the Red
Cross. Died 24 October 1946, aged 73.
Private
Francis George Miles, V.C. - 1/5thBattalion - 23rdOctober1918
- Landrecies, France.
When his company was held up by machine guns in a sunken road,
Private Miles advanced single-handed and shot a gunner putting
his gun out of action. Advancing further he shot another gunner
and captured the team of 8 men. Standing up he signalled his
company forward, enabling them to capture 16 guns and 51 men.
Lieutenant-Colonel
James Power Carne, V.C., D.S.O. - 1st Battalion - 22-23 April
1951 - Imjin River, Korea
During the stand he showed complete disregard for his personal
safety, twice leading assaults. "..... showed powers of leadership which can
seldom have been surpassed in the history of army. He inspired
his officers and men to fight beyond the normal limitsof human
endurance."
Captain
Adrian Carton de Wiart, V.C., D.S.O. - 8th (att'd Dragoon
Guards) - 3 July 1916 - La Boiselle, France
With 3 other battalion commanders wounded and the position in
danger, de Wiart took control and held the position. He moved
around the positions without care for personal safety. During the
war he was wounded 8 times, losing an eye and his left hand.
Lieutenant
Philip K.E. Curtis, V.C. - att'd 1st Battalion - 22-23 April
1951 - Imjin River, Korea
The enemy making a heavy attack on his position, secured a foot
hold on 'Castle Hill.' Curtis led a counter-attack and was
severely wounded by a grenade. Several men crawled out to assist
him, however he broke free from them and charged again, being
killed by machine gun fire within yards of his objective.