Victoria Cross Holders from The Reserve Forces of Greater London

Belcher, Douglas Walter, Lance-Sergeant

1^st / 5^th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
Ypres Salient, Belgium, 13^th May 1915

Award Citation

On 13^th May 1915, south of the Wieltje-St Julien Road, Belgium, Lance-Sergeant Belcher was in charge of a portion of an advance breastwork during continuous bombardment by the enemy. The Lance-Sergeant, with very few men, elected to remain and try to hold his position after the troops near him had been withdrawn and with great skill he succeeded in his objective, opening rapid fire on the enemy, who were only 150-200 yards away, whenever he saw them collecting for an attack. This bold action prevented the enemy breaking through and averted an attack on the flank of one of the Divisions.

Borton, Arthur Drummond, Lieutenant Colonel, CMG DSO

2/ 22^nd Battalion, The London Regiment (Queen's)
Sheria, Palestine, 7^th November 1917

Award Citation

In darkness and in unknown country, he deployed his Battalion and at dawn led his companies against a strongly-held position. When the leading waves were checked by withering machine-gun fire, Lieutenant Colonel Borton moved freely up and down his lines under heavy fire. Reorganising his command, he led his men forward and captured the position. He later led a party of volunteers against a battery of field guns in action at point-blank range, capturing the guns.

Christie, John Alexander, Lance Corporal

1/ 11^th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Finsbury Barracks)
Fejja, Palestine, 21/ 22^nd December 1917

Award Citation

A former London and North Western Railway parcels clerk based at Euston Station, he enlisted in September 1914 and served in Gallipolli, where he was wounded at Sulva Bay. Returning to action in Palestine, he took part in actions to repel the enemy from retaking captured positions at Fejja, near the port of Jaffa. During the action he single-handedly attacked the enemy lines to prevent recapture of the British positions.

Cloutman, Brett Mackay, Major (later Lieutenant Colonel)

12^th London Regiment (Rangers), Royal Engineers
Pont-sur-Sambre, 6^th November 1918

Award Citation

Whilst Acting Major in command of the 59^th Field Company, Royal Engineers, Cloutman was awarded the Victoria Cross for the most conspicuous bravery on 6^th November 1918, at Pont-sur-Sambre. Major Cloutman, after reconnoitring the river crossings, found the Quartes Bridge almost intact but prepared for demolition. Leaving his party under cover he went forward alone, swam across the river, and, having cut the ‘leads' from the charges, returned the same way, despite the fact that the bridge and all approaches thereto were swept by enemy shells and machine-gun fire at close range. Although the bridge was blown up later in the day by other means, the abutments remained intact.

Cruickshank, Robert Edward, Private (later Major)

2^nd / 14^th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (London Scottish)
Egypt, 1^st May 1918

Award Citation

On 1^st May 1918, east of Jordan, Palestine, Private Cruickshank volunteered to take a message to company headquarters from his platoon which was in the bottom of a wadi, with its officer and most of the men casualties. He rushed up the slopes but was hit and was so badly wounded that he could make no further attempt. He lay all day in a dangerous position, being sniped at and wounded where he lay, but displayed great endurance and was cheerful and uncomplaining throughout.

Dean, Donald John, T/Lieutenant (later Colonel)

8^th Battalion, The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
Lens, France, 24/ 26^th September 1918

Award Citation

During the period 24/ 26^th September 1918 north-west of Lens, France, Lieutenant Dean with his platoon held an advance post established in a newly-captured enemy trench. The post was ill-prepared for defence and the Lieutenant worked unceasingly with his men consolidating the position, under very heavy fire. Five times in all the post was attacked and on each occasion the attack was repulsed. Throughout the whole of this time, Lieutenant Dean inspired his command with his own contempt of danger and set the highest example of valour, leadership and devotion to duty.

Haine, Reginald Leonard, Second Lieutenant (MC*) (later Lieutenant Colonel)

1^st Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company
Gavrelle, France, 28/ 29^th April 1917

Award Citation

On 28/ 29^th April 1917, near Gavrelle France, when British troops were holding a salient which was being repeatedly counter-attacked by German forces, Second Lieutenant Haine organised and led six bombing attacks against a German strong point and captured the position together with 50 prisoners and two machine-guns. The enemy at once counter-attacked and regained the lost ground, but Second Lieutenant Haine formed a ‘block' in his trench and for the whole of the following night maintained his position. Next morning he again attacked and recaptured the position. His splendid example inspired his men during more than 30 hours of continuous fighting.

Harvey, Jack, Private (later Corporal)

1^st / 22^nd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Queen's)
France, 2^nd September 1918

Award Citation

On 2^nd September 1918, north of Peronne, France, the advance of his company was held up by machine gun fire. Private Harvey dashed forward a distance of 50 yards alone, through the barrage and in the face of heavy enemy fire and rushed a machine gun post, shooting two of the team and bayonetting another. He then destroyed the gun and continued his way along the enemy trench. Single-handed he rushed an enemy dug-out which contained 37 Germans and compelled them to surrender. The two acts of gallantry saved the company heavy casualties and materially assisted in the success of the operation.

 

Hallowes, Rupert Price, 2^nd Lieutenant MM

4^th Battalion The Duke of Cambridges Own (Middlesex Regiment)

Ypres Salient, Belgium, 25-30 September 1915

 

 

Award Citation

During the fighting at Hooge between 25th September and 1st October 1915 Second Lieutenant Hallowes displayed the greatest bravery and untiring energy, and set a magnificent example to his men during four heavy and prolonged bombardments. On more than one occasion he climbed up on the parapet, utterly regardless of danger, in order to put fresh heart into his men. He made daring reconnaissances of the German positions in our lines. When the supply of bombs was running short, he went back under very heavy shell fire and brought up a fresh supply. Even after he was mortally wounded, he continued to cheer those around him and to inspire them with fresh courage.

2^nd Lt Rupert Hallowes is included in this section as he joined the Rifle Volunteers in 1900 which, in 1908, became the 28^th (County of London) Battalion The London Regiment (Artists Rifles).  He was mobilised with the Artists Rifles in August 1914 and was commissioned into a regular Battalion, the 4^th Middlesex in April 1915.  He died of his wounds on 30 September 1915 and is buried at Bedford House Cemetery, Zillebeke, near Ypres. 

 

Keyworth, Leonard James, Lance Corporal (later Corporal)

1/ 24^th Battalion, The London Regiment
Givenchy, France, 25^th May 1915

Award Citation

After a successful assault on the German position, the 24^th Battalion The London Regiment tried to follow up their success with a bomb attack, during which 58 men out of 74 became casualties. During this fierce encounter, Lance Corporal Keyworth stood on top of the enemy parapet for two hours, throwing about 150 grenades among the Germans, who were only a few yards away. Later that year, Keyworth was fatally wounded. In 1919, a street in Southwark was named after him.

Knight, Alfred Joseph, Sergeant (later Second Lieutenant)

2/ 8^th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Post Office Rifles)
Ypres, Belgium, 20^th September 1917

Award Citation

On 20^th September 1917, at Alberta Section, Ypres, Belgium, when his platoon came under heavy fire from an enemy machine-gun, Sergeant Knight rushed through our own barrage and captured it single-handed. He performed several other acts of bravery single-handed, all under heavy machine gun and rifle fire and without regard to personal safety. All the platoon officers of the company had become casualties before the first objective was reached, and this NCO took command not only of his own platoon but of the platoons without officers and his energy in consolidating and reorganising was untiring.

Lafone, Alexander Malins, Major

1/ 1^st County of London Yeomanry (Middlesex Duke of Cambridge's Hussars)
Karm, Palestine, 27^th October 1917

Award Citation

Major Lafone's squadron of the Middlesex Yeomanry was ordered to hold the flank of the allied line against the Turks. They did so for over seven hours against vastly superior forces. When only three of his men were left unwounded, Major Lafone ordered those who could withdraw to a trench slightly to the rear. When finally surrounded he stepped into the open and continued to fight until he was killed.

Mitchell, George Allan, Private

1^st Battalion, The London Scottish (Gordon Highlanders)
River Garigliano, Italy, 23^rd January 1944

Award Citation

On a very dark night, Private Mitchell repeatedly charged and silenced machinegun posts which had the advantage of position on a steep and rocky hillside. Even after his ammunition was spent he still led the way into a final enemy strongpoint. His courage and determined example were instrumental in the last of the Germans being taken prisoner. A few minutes later, one of those who had surrendered picked up a rifle and shot Private Mitchell through the head.

Pollard, Alfred Oliver, Second Lieutenant, MC DCM

1^st Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company
Gavrelle, France, 29^th April 1917

Award Citation

Heavy casualties from shellfire disorganised units on the left of Lieutenant Pollard's Battalion. A subsequent enemy attack caused further confusion and retirement with hostile forces in close pursuit. Pollard realised the seriousness of the situation and dashed up to stop the retreat. With only four men he counter-attacked, regaining all the ground that had been lost and more. The enemy retired in disorder, sustaining more casualties.

Tisdall, Arthur Walderne St. Clair, Sub-Lieutenant

Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division)
V Beach, Gallipoli, 31^st March 1916

Award Citation

On 25^th April 1915, at V Beach, Gallipoli, during the landing from HMS RIVER CLYDE, Sub-Lieutenant Tisdall heard wounded men on the beach calling for help. He jumped into the water, and pushing a boat in front of him, went to their rescue. He found, however, that he could not manage alone, but with the help from other naval personnel he made four or five more trips from the ship to the shore and was responsible for rescuing several wounded men under heavy and accurate fire.

Train, Charles William, Corporal (later Sergeant)

2/ 14^th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (London Scottish)
Near Jerusalem, Palestine, 8^th December 1917

Award Citation

When his company was unexpectedly engaged by an enemy party with two machine guns, Corporal Train attacked with rifle grenades. With bomb and rifle he put some of the enemy out of action before going to the assistance of a comrade who was bombing their position from the front. He shot one who was carrying the second gun out of engagement. Undoubtedly he saved his Battalion heavy casualties, and enabled them to advance on their objective.

Woolley, Geoffrey Harold, Second Lieutenant, OBE MC

9^th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles)
Hill 60, Ypres, Belgium, 21^st April 1915

Award Citation

During the night of 20^th / 21^st April 1915, on Hill 60, Belgium, Second Lieutenant Woolley was the only officer on the hill. However, with very few men he successfully repelled all attacks on his trench, and continued throwing bombs and encouraging his men until relieved. His trench during this time was being heavily shelled and bombed.