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The
Victoria Cross |
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| The Victoria cross was instituted by Royal
Warrant on 29th June 1856. The idea originated with
the Prince Consort and he is said to have designed the
medal.
The cross carries with it an annuity of £10. In 1902 King
Edward VII sanctioned for the cross to be given to representatives
of soldiers who would have been entitled to it had they survived. The
decoration consists of a bronze Maltese Cross which, until
1942, was made from the metal of Russian guns captured at
Sebastapol. It is worn with a red ribbon by recipients in
the army, and with a blue ribbon by those in the navy. Although
the Irish Guards were only formed in 1900, The Regiment
has
been awarded six Victoria Crosses.
Click on the images below to read the citations
of the six Victoria Crosses of the Irish Guards. |
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Citation No. 3556
Lance-Corporal Michael O'Leary
1st Bn. Irish Guards
"For conspicuous bravery at Cuinchy
on the 1st February, 1915. When forming one of the storming
party
which advanced against the enemy's barricades he rushed to
the front and himself killed five Germans who were holding
the first barricade, after which he attacked a second barricade,
about 60 yards further on, which he captured after killing
three of the enemy and making prisoners of two more The Lance-Corporal
thus practically took the enemy's position by himself, and
prevented the rest of the attacking party from being fired
upon."
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Citation No. 7708
Lance-Sergeant John Moyney
2nd Bn. Irish Guards
"For most conspicuous bravery when in
command of fifteen men forming two advanced posts. In spite
of being
surrounded by the enemy he held his post for ninety-six hours,
having no water and little food. On the morning of the fifth
day a large force of the enemy advanced to dislodge him.
He ordered his men out of their shell-holes and, taking
the initiative,
attacked with great effect from a flank. Finding himself
surrounded by superior numbers, he led back his men in a
charge through
the enemy, and reached a stream which lay between the posts
and the line. Here he instructed his party to cross at once
whilst he and Pte Woodcock remained to cover their retirement.
When the whole of his force had gained the south-west bank
unscathed he himself crossed under a shower of bombs. It
was due to the endurance, skill and devotion to duty shown
by
the Non-Commissioned Officer that he was able to bring his
entire force safely out of action."
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Citation No. 8387
Lance Corporal Thomas Woodcock
2nd Bn. Irish Guards
"For most conspicuous bravery when in
command of fifteen men forming two advanced posts. In spite
of being
surrounded by the enemy he held his post for ninety-six hours,
having no water and little food. On the morning of the fifth
day a large force of the enemy advanced to dislodge him.
He ordered his men out of their shell-holes and, taking
the initiative,
attacked with great effect from a flank. Finding himself
surrounded by superior numbers, he led back his men in a
charge through
the enemy, and reached a stream which lay between the posts
and the line. Here he instructed his party to cross at once
whilst he and Pte Woodcock remained to cover their retirement.
When the whole of his force had gained the south-west bank
unscathed he himself crossed under a shower of bombs. It
was due to the endurance, skill and devotion to duty shown
by
the Non-Commissioned Officer that he was able to bring his
entire force safely out of action."
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Lt (acting Lt Col) Neville Marshall VC MC
late Irish Guards, Special Reserve
attached 16th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers
"VC to Lt (acting Lt Col) John Neville
Marshall MC, late Irish Guards, Special Reserve, attached
16th Battalion,
Lancashire Fusiliers" For most conspicuous bravery,
determination and leadership in the attack on the Sambre-Oise
canal, near
Catillon on the 4th November 1918, when a partly constructed
bridge came under concentrated fire and was broken before
the advanced troops of his Battalion could cross. Lt-Col
Marshall at once went forward and organised parties to repair
the bridge.
The first party was soon killed or wounded, but by personal
example he inspired and volunteers were instantly forthcoming.
Under intense fire and with complete disregard of his own
safety, he stood on the bank encouraging his men and assisting
in the work, and when the bridge was repaired, attempted
to rush across at the head of his Battalion and was killed
doing
so.The passage of the canal was of vital importance, and
the gallantry displayed by all ranks was largely due to
the inspiring
example set by Lt-Col Marshall MC"
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Citation No. 2722925
Lance Corporal John Patrick Kenneally
1st Battalion Irish Guards
"The Bou feature dominates all ground
east and west between Medjez and Tebourba. It was essential
to
the final assault on Tunis that this feature should be captured
and held. A Guards Brigade assaulted and captured a portion
of the Bou on April 27, 1943. The Irish Guards held onto
points 212 and 214 on the western end of the feature, which
points
the Germans frequently counter-attacked. While a further
attack to capture the complete feature was being prepared,
it was
essential for the Irish Guards to hold on. They did so. On
April 28 1943, the positions held by one company of the
Irish
Guards in the ridge between points 212 and 214 were about
to be subjected to an attack by the enemy. Approximately
one
company of the enemy were seen forming up preparatory to
attack and L/Cpl Kenneally decided that this was the right
moment
to attack them himself. Single-handed he charged down the
bare forward slope straight at the main enemy body, firing
his Bren gun from the hip as he did so. This outstanding
act of gallantry and the dash with which it was executed
completely
unbalanced the enemy company, which broke up in disorder.
L/Cpl Kenneally then returned to the crest further to harass
their retreat. L/Cpl Kenneally repeated this remarkable exploit
on the morning of 30 April 1943, when, accompanied by a
Sergeant
of the Reconnaissance Corps, he again charged the enemy forming
up for an assault. This time he so harassed the enemy, inflicting
many casualties that this projected attack was frustrated.
The enemy's strength was again about one company. It was
only when he was noticed hopping from one fire position
to another
further to the left, in order to support another company,
carrying his gun in one hand and supporting himself on
a Guardsman
with the other, that it was discovered that he had been wounded.
He refused to give up his Bren gun, claiming that he was
the
only one who understood that gun, and continued to fight
all through the day with great courage, devotion to duty
and disregard
for his own safety. The Magnificent gallantry of this Non-Commissioned
Officer on these two occasions under heavy fire, his unfailing
vigilance, and remarkable accuracy were responsible for saving
many valuable lives during days and nights in the forward
positions. His actions also played a considerable part in
holding these positions and this influenced the whole course
of the battle. His rapid appreciation of the situation, his
initiative and his extraordinary gallantry in attacking
single-handed
a massed body of the enemy and breaking up an attack on two
occasions, was an achievement that can seldom have been
equalled.
His courage in fighting all day when wounded was an inspiration
to all ranks."
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Citation No. 2722614
Gdsm Edward Charlton
2nd Bn Irish Guards
"On the morning of 21st April
1945, Gdsm Charlton was co-driver in one tank of a Troop,
which, with a Platoon
of infantry seized the village of Wistedt. Shortly afterwards,
the enemy attacked this position under cover of an artillery
concentration and in great strength,
comprising as it later transpired, a Battalion of 15th
Panzer Grenadiers, supported by six self-propelled guns.
All the tanks, including Gdsm Charlton's, were hit; the
infantry were hard pressed and in danger of being over-run.
Thereupon, entirely on his own initiative, Gdsm Charlton
decided to counter-attack the enemy. Quickly recovering
the
Browning from his damaged tank, he advanced up the road in
full view of the enemy, firing the Browning from his hip.
Such was the boldness of his attack and the intensity
of his fire that he halted the leading enemy company, inflicting
heavy causalities on them. This effort at the same time
brought
needed relief to the infantry.For ten minutes, Gdsm Charlton
fired in this manner, until wounded in his left arm. Immediately,
despite intense enemy
fire, he mounted his machine gun on a nearby fence, which
he used to support his wounded left arm. He stood firing
thus
for another ten minutes until he was again hit in the left
arm, which fell away shattered and useless. Although twice
wounded and suffering from loss of blood,
Gdsm Charlton again lifted his machine-gun onto the fence,
now having only one arm with which to fire and reload.
Nevertheless,
he still continued to inflict casualties on the enemy, until
finally he was hit for a third time and collapsed. He died
later of his wounds, in enemy hands. The heroism and determination
of this Guardsman in his self-imposed task were beyond
all praise. Even his German
captors were amazed at his valour. Gdsm
Charlton's courageous and self-sacrificing action not only
inflicted extremely heavy casualties on the enemy and retrieved
his comrades
from a desperate situation, but also enabled the position to
be speedily recaptured." |
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