Victoria Crosses on the Western Front: April 1915 - June 1916

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to members of the British Armed Forces. It is awarded for "most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy."

During the First World War, the VC was awarded to over 600 men who served on the Western Front. These men came from all walks of life and from all parts of the British Empire. They were young and old, rich and poor, educated and uneducated. But they all shared one thing in common: they were all heroes.

Victoria Crosses on the Western Front, April 1915–June 1916

by Paul Oldfield

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	198268 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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The stories of these men are both inspiring and heartbreaking. They are stories of courage, selflessness, and sacrifice. They are stories that should never be forgotten.

In this article, we will take a look at some of the most famous VC winners from the Western Front. We will learn about their stories and what they did to earn the Victoria Cross.

April 1915

The first VC of the Western Front was awarded to Captain Edward Kinder Stanley of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment. On 19 April 1915, Stanley was leading his company in an attack on the German lines near Ypres, Belgium. The attack was met with heavy resistance, and Stanley was soon wounded in the leg. Despite his wound, Stanley continued to lead his men forward, and they eventually succeeded in capturing the German trench.

For his bravery and leadership, Stanley was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was the first of many British soldiers to be awarded the VC during the First World War.

May 1915

In May 1915, two more Victoria Crosses were awarded to soldiers serving on the Western Front. The first went to Private James Dolan of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles. On 9 May 1915, Dolan was serving as a stretcher-bearer when he went out into no man's land to rescue a wounded comrade. Dolan was able to reach the wounded man and bring him back to safety, despite being under heavy fire from the Germans.

The second VC of May 1915 was awarded to Private John Kenny of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Dublin Fusiliers. On 16 May 1915, Kenny was serving as a sniper when he spotted a group of German soldiers preparing to attack his unit. Kenny opened fire on the Germans, killing several of them and forcing the rest to retreat.

For their bravery and selflessness, Dolan and Kenny were both awarded the Victoria Cross.

June 1915

In June 1915, three more Victoria Crosses were awarded to soldiers serving on the Western Front. The first went to Captain Arthur Martin-Leake of the 2nd Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment. On 15 June 1915, Martin-Leake was leading his company in an attack on the German lines near Festubert, France. The attack was met with heavy resistance, and Martin-Leake was soon wounded in the head. Despite his wound, Martin-Leake continued to lead his men forward, and they eventually succeeded in capturing the German trench.

The second VC of June 1915 was awarded to Private Thomas Byrne of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Dublin Fusiliers. On 16 June 1915, Byrne was serving as a stretcher-bearer when he went out into no man's land to rescue a wounded comrade. Byrne was able to reach the wounded man and bring him back to safety, despite being under heavy fire from the Germans.

The third VC of June 1915 was awarded to Private James McCudden of the 5th Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers. On 27 June 1915, McCudden was serving as a sniper when he spotted a group of German soldiers preparing to attack his unit. McCudden opened fire on the Germans, killing several of them and forcing the rest to retreat.

For their bravery and selflessness, Martin-Leake, Byrne, and McCudden were all awarded the Victoria Cross.

July 1915

In July 1915, two more Victoria Crosses were awarded to soldiers serving on the Western Front. The first went to Lieutenant-Colonel Cuthbert Bromley of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Berkshire Regiment. On 1 July 1915, Bromley was leading his battalion in an attack on the German lines near La Boisselle, France. The attack was met with heavy resistance, and Bromley was soon wounded in the leg. Despite his wound, Bromley continued to lead his men forward, and they eventually succeeded in capturing the German trench.

The second VC of July 1915 was awarded to Private Edward Dwyer of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Dublin Fusiliers. On 12 July 1915, Dwyer was serving as a stretcher-bearer when he went out into no man's land to rescue a wounded comrade. Dwyer was able to reach the wounded man and bring him back to safety, despite being under heavy fire from the Germans.

For their bravery and selflessness, Bromley and Dwyer were both awarded the Victoria Cross.

August 1915

In August 1915, three more Victoria Crosses were awarded to soldiers serving on the Western Front. The first went to Captain Francis Grenfell of the 1st Battalion, The Grenadier Guards. On 15 August 1915, Grenfell was leading his company in an attack on the German lines near Hooge, Belgium. The attack was met with heavy resistance, and Grenfell was soon wounded in the head. Despite his wound, Grenfell continued to lead his men forward, and they eventually succeeded in capturing the German trench.

The second VC of August 1915 was awarded to Private Joseph Malone of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Dublin Fusiliers. On 16 August 1915, Malone was serving as a stretcher-bearer when he went out into no man's land to rescue a wounded comrade. Malone was able to reach the wounded man and bring him back to safety, despite being under heavy fire from the Germans.

The third VC of August 1915 was awarded to Private John Fahey of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Dublin Fusiliers. On 27 August 1915, Fahey was serving as a sniper when he spotted a group of German soldiers preparing to attack his unit. Fahey opened fire on the Germans, killing several of them and forcing the rest to retreat.

For their bravery and selflessness, Grenfell, Malone, and Fahey were all awarded the Victoria Cross.

September 1915

In September 1915, two more Victoria Crosses were awarded to soldiers serving on the Western Front. The first went to Captain Nevile Maxwell of the 2nd Battalion, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. On 15 September 1915, Maxwell was leading his company in an attack on the German lines near Loos, France. The attack was met with heavy resistance, and Maxwell was soon wounded in the leg. Despite his wound, Maxwell continued to lead his men forward, and they eventually succeeded in capturing the German trench.

The second VC of September 1915 was awarded to Private William Angus of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots Fusiliers. On 25 September 1915, Angus was serving as a stretcher-bearer when he went out into no man's land to rescue a wounded comrade. Angus was able to reach the wounded man and bring him back to safety, despite being under heavy fire from the Germans.

For their bravery and selflessness, Maxwell and Angus were both awarded the Victoria Cross.

October 1915

In October 1915, three more Victoria Crosses were awarded to soldiers serving on the Western Front. The first went to Lieutenant Richard Rimmington of the 1st Battalion, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. On 13 October 1915, Rimmington was leading his platoon in an attack on the German lines near Hulluch, France. The attack was met with heavy resistance, and Rimmington was soon wounded in the leg. Despite his wound, Rimmington continued to lead his platoon forward, and they eventually succeeded in capturing the German trench.

Victoria Crosses on the Western Front, April 1915–June 1916

by Paul Oldfield

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	198268 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	900 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE