Lieutenant Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey, VC, MC an Irish-born Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, Canadian soldier and rugby union player. During the Great War, while serving in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, Lieutenant Frederick Harvey awarded the Victoria Cross, the Military Cross and the French Croix de Guerre.
Harvey, born in Athboy, County Meath, Ireland, one of three Irish rugby union internationals awarded the Victoria Cross, and the only one awarded the medal during the Great War. He settled in Medicine Hat, Alberta, in 1908 and enlisted on 18 May 1916 with the 13th Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles, later transferring to Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) after arriving in France.
Robert Johnson VC and Thomas Crean VC
The other two Irish rugby union internationals awarded the Victoria Cross, Robert Johnson VC and Thomas Crean VC. They both served with the Imperial Light Horse in the Second Boer War. During their VC actions, Johnston badly wounded and nursed back to health by Crean.
Early Life of Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey
Frederick married to Winifred Lillian Harvey, of 5 Leeson Park, Dublin, Ireland. Do the current owners of the property have any idea of the identity of the former occupants?
Frederick had appendicitis in 1901 (appendectomy in 1903) and operated for ulceration of stomach in 1912.
Harvey stood 6′ 1″ tall, 185 pounds upon enlistment with the LSH.
Rise in Ranks
To be Corporal, 15 February 1915. Less than a fortnight later, To be Sergeant, 24 February 1915. The following month, To be Lieutenant, 20 March 1916.
Retreat to the Hindenburg Line
On 24 March 1917 the Canadian Cavalry Brigade ordered to attack German positions along a twelve-mile front east of Combles and north-east of Péronne. Delayed by a heavy snow-storm, the Fort Garry Horse and Lord Strathcona’s Horse advanced on Guyencourt. Lieutenant F M W Harvey’s gallant assault on a strategically placed enemy machine-gun materially assisted the capture of the village.
Victoria Cross
On March 27, 1917, Harvey’s troops advanced on the village of Guyencourt, France. As German machine gun fire inflicted heavy casualties, Harvey’s Victoria Cross citation recounts what occurred next.
VC Citation of Lt Frederick Harvey
At this critical moment, when the enemy showed no intention whatever of retiring and fire was still intense, Lt. Harvey, who was in command of the leading troop, ran forward well ahead of his men and dashed at the trench, still fully manned, jumped the wire, shot the machine gunner and captured the gun. His most courageous act undoubtedly had a decisive effect on the success of the operation.
London Gazette, no 30122, June 8, 1917
Lieutenant Harvey initially granted the Distinguished Service Order but later raised to the Victoria Cross.
Harvey proceed to England for Investiture by H M the King, 12 July 1917.
Lieutenant Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey VC rejoined unit from leave, 26 July 1917.
Granted 1 month leave to England, 31 December 1917. Rejoining unit from leave on 2 February 1918.
To Regimental Trench Party, 20 February 1918 to 6 March 1918.
Military Cross
Lt Harvey received the Military Cross for his role in the Lord Strathcona’s Horse advance on Moreuil Wood on 30 March 30 1918 and also awarded the French Croix de Guerre. Harvey also mentioned in the Victoria Cross Citation of Lt Gordon Muriel Flowerdew. It should be noted, Harvey would likely have received a Bar to the Victoria Cross, had he died in the action.
Victoria Cross Citation of Lt Gordon Muriel Flowerdew
“For most conspicuous bravery and dash when in command of a squadron detailed for special service of a very important nature. On reaching the first objective, Lieutenant Flowerdew saw two lines of the enemy, each about sixty strong, with machine guns in the centre and flanks, one line being about two hundred yards behind the other. Realising the critical nature of the operation and how much depended upon it, Lieutenant Flowerdew ordered a troop under Lieutenant Harvey, V.C., to dismount and carry out a special movement while he led the remaining three troops to the charge.
The squadron (less one troop) passed over both lines, killing many of the enemy with the sword; and wheeling about galloped at them again. Although the squadron had then lost about 70 per cent of its numbers, killed and wounded, from rifle and machine-gun fire directed on it from the front and both flanks, the enemy broke and retired. The survivors of the squadron then established themselves in a position where they were joined, after much hand-to-hand fighting, by Lieutenant Harvey’s party.
Lieutenant Flowerdew dangerously wounded through both thighs during the operation, but continued to cheer on his men. There can be no doubt that this officer’s great valour the prime factor in the capture of the position.”
London Gazette, no.30648, 24 April 1918
Wounded
Lieutenant Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey VC GSW right arm and left thigh, 31 March 1918.
Awarded the MC for action at Moreuil Wood on 22 June 1918.
Lieutenant Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey VC, MC, awarded the Croix du Guerre on 10 October 1918.
On Command to England, 16 November 1918, rejoining his unit on the last day of the month.
Regimental Standard
Granted leave to England 15 February 1919. Granted extension of leave. Returned to duty 6 March 1919, just in time to be photographed with the Regimental Standard by Lt William Rider Rider.
LSH proceed to Canada on 17 May 1919, embarking at Liverpool on 21 May 1919, when promoted to Temporary Captain as Adjutant. Relinquished role of Adjutant on 2 September 1919.
Treated for ptomaine poisoning (spoiled oysters) at Manitoba Military Hospital in January 1920. Recovered by 20 February 1920. SoS at Winnipeg on 1 April 1920, but Harvey remained with Lord Strathcona’s Horse and promoted to Captain in 1923. He instructed in physical training at the Royal Military College of Canada from 1923 to 1927.
Courts of Inquiry
On 28 August 1929, a Court of Inquiry found Harvey not to blame for his horse accidentally knocking his teeth out. ON 7 August 1933, another Court of Inquiry found no blame when Harvey injured in a collision with another rider and horse. Major Harvey treated for muscular strain of the right thigh at Sarcee Camp, 21 August 1934. Again, found not to blame for his horse having refused at a jump.
Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1938, and, in 1939, made Brigadier General. Harvey served as Honorary Colonel in Lord Strathcona’s Horse from 1958 to 1966.
June 1967
During Canada’s centennial, eighteen recipients of the Victoria Cross gathered before a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in Ottawa.
Front row from left to right: Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey, VC, MC; Raphael Louis Zengel, VC, MM; George Randolph Pearkes, VC, PC, CB, DSO, MC, CD; the Governor General; Paul Triquet, VC, CD; Ernest Alvia “Smokey” Smith, VC, CD; and Benjamin Handley Geary, VC Rear row from left to right: Ernest Ralph Clyde Frost, GC; David Vivian Currie, VC, CD; Alexander Picton Brereton, VC; Charles Smith Rutherford, VC, MC, MM; Charles Cecil Ingersoll Merritt, VC, ED; John Keefer Mahony, VC; Coulson Norman Mitchell, VC, MC; Frederick Albert Tilston, VC; Arthur Dwight Ross, GC, CBE, CD; Thomas Fasti Dinesen, VC; John Weir Foote, VC, CD; and John MacMillan Stevenson Patton, GC, CBE.
Lieutenant Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey VC, MC died in August 1980 at age 91.
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