The Right Honorable Daniel Roland Michener, Governor General of Canada (1967-1974) with Victoria Cross and George Cross recipients. Photograph Chris Lund (1923-1983). Photo Credit: LAC PA-129803
Victoria Cross Recipients, 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 also 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 also John MacMillan Stevenson Patton, GC, CBE.
Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey, VC, MC
“For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. During an attack by his regiment on a village a party of the enemy ran forward to a wired trench just in front of the village and opened rapid rifle and machine gun fire at a very close range, causing heavy casualties in the leading troop.
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, 8 June 1917)
Raphael Louis Zengel, VC, MM
“For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when protecting the battalion right flank. He was leading his platoon gallantly forward to the attack, but had not gone far when he realised that a gap had occurred on his flank, and than an enemy machine gun was firing at close range into the advancing line.
Grasping the situation, he rushed forward some 200 yards ahead of the platoon, tacked the machine-gun emplacement, killed the officer and operator of the gun, and also dispersed the crew. By his boldness and prompt action he undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades.
Later, when the battalion held up by very heavy machine-gun fire, he displayed much tactical skill and directed his fire with destructive results. Shortly afterwards rendered unconscious for a few minutes by an enemy shell, but on recovering consciousness he at once continued to direct harassing fire on the enemy.
Sjt Zengel’s work throughout the attack was excellent, and his utter disregard for personal safety, and the confidence he inspired in all ranks, also greatly assisted in bringing the attack to a successful end.”
(London Gazette, no.30922, 27 September 1918)
George Randolph Pearkes, VC, PC, CB, DSO, MC, CD
“For most conspicuous bravery and skilful handling of the troops under his command during the capture and consolidation of considerably more than the objectives allotted to him, in an attack.
Just prior to the advance Major Pearkes wounded in the left thigh. Regardless of his wound, he continued to lead his men with the utmost gallantry, despite many obstacles.
At a particular stage of the attack his further advance threatened by a strong point which was an objective of the battalion on his left, but which they had not succeeded in capturing. Quickly appreciating the situation, he captured and held this point, thus enabling his further advance to be successfully pushed forward.
Fearless Personality
It was entirely due to his determination and fearless personality that he was able to maintain his objective with the small number of men at his command against repeated enemy counter-attacks, both his flanks being unprotected for a considerable depth meanwhile.
His appreciation of the situation throughout and the reports rendered by him were invaluable to his Commanding Officer in making dispositions of troops to also hold the position captured.
He showed throughout a supreme contempt of danger and wonderful powers of control and leading.”
(London Gazette, no.30471, 11 January 1918)
Benjamin Handley Geary, VC
“For most conspicuous bravery and determination on Hill Sixty near Ypres on 20th and 21st April 1915, when he held the left crater with his platoon, some men of The Bedfordshire Regiment and a few reinforcements who came up during the evening and the night.
The crater was first exposed to a very heavy artillery fire, which broke down the defences and afterwards, throughout the night, to repeated bomb attacks which filled it with dead and wounded. Each attack, however, repulsed, mainly owing to the splendid personal gallantry and example of Second Lieutenant Geary.
At one time he used a rifle with great effect, at another threw hand grenades and exposed himself with entire disregard to danger, in order to see, by the light of flares, where the enemy were coming on. In the intervals between the attacks, he spent his whole time arranging for the ammunition supply and for reinforcements. Severely wounded just before daybreak on 21st April”.
(London Gazette, 15 October 1915)
Alexander Picton Brereton, VC
“For most conspicuous bravery during an attack, when a line of hostile machine guns opened fire suddenly on his platoon, which was in an exposed position, and no cover available. This gallant N.C.O. at once appreciated the critical situation and realised that unless something done at once the platoon would be annihilated.
On his own initiative, without a moment’s delay, and alone, he sprang forward and reached one of the hostile machine-gun posts, where he shot the man operating the machine gun and also bayoneted the next one who attempted to operate it, whereupon nine others surrendered to him.
Cpl Brereton’s action was a splendid example of resource and bravery, and not only undoubtedly saved many of his comrades’ lives, but also inspired his platoon to charge and capture the fire remaining posts.”
(London Gazette, no.30922, 27 September 1918)
Charles Smith Rutherford, VC, MC, MM
“For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty. When in command of an assaulting party Lt Rutherford found himself a considerable distance ahead of his men, and at the same moment observed a fully armed strong enemy party outside a ‘Pill Box’ ahead of him. He beckoned to them with his revolver to come to him, in return they waves to him to come to them. This he boldly did, and informed them that they were prisoners. This fact an enemy officer disputed and invited Lt. Rutherford to enter the ‘Pill Box,’ an invitation he discreetly declined. By masterly bluff, however, he persuaded the enemy that they were surrounded, and the whole party of 45, including two officers and three machine guns, surrendered to him.
Subsequently he induced the enemy officer to stop the fire of an enemy machine-gun close by, and Lt. Rutherford took advantage of the opportunity to hasten the advance of his men to his support.
Pill Box
Lt Rutherford then observed that the right assaulting party held up by heavy machine-gun fire from another ‘Pill Box.’ Indicating an objective to the remainder of his party he attacked the ‘Pill Box’ with a Lewis gun section and captured a further 35 prisoners with machine guns, thus enabling the party to continue their advance.
The bold and gallant action of this officer contributed very materially to the capture of the main objective and was also a wonderful inspiration to all ranks in pressing home the attack on a very strong position.”
(London Gazette, no.31012, 15 November 1918)
Coulson Norman Mitchell, VC, MC
“For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the night of 8th-9th October, 1918, at the Canal de L’Escaut, north-east of Cambrai.
He led a small party ahead of the first wave of infantry in order to examine the various bridges on the line of approach and, if possible, to prevent their demolition.
On reaching the canal he found the bridge already blown up. Under a heavy barrage he crossed to the next bridge, where he cut a number of ‘lead’ wires. Then in total darkness, and unaware of the position or strength of the enemy at the bridgehead, he dashed across the main bridge over the canal. This bridge found to be heavily charged for demolition, and whilst Captain Mitchell, assisted by his N.C.O., cutting the wires, the enemy attempted to rush the bridge in order to blow the charges, whereupon he at once dashed to the assistance of his sentry, who had been wounded, killed three of the enemy, captured 12, and maintained the bridgehead until reinforced.
Then under heavy fire he continued his task of cutting wires and removing charges, which he well knew might at any moment have been fired by the enemy.
It was entirely due to his valour and decisive action that this important bridge across the canal was saved from destruction.”
(London Gazette, no.31155, 31 January 1919)
Thomas Fasti Dinesen, VC
“For most conspicuous and continuous bravery displayed during ten hours of hand-to-hand fighting. Which resulted in the capture of over a mile of strongly garrisoned and stubbornly defended enemy trenches.
Five times in succession he rushed forward alone, and single-handed put hostile machine guns out of action. Also accounting for twelve of the enemy with bomb and bayonet. His sustained valour and resourcefulness inspired his comrades at a very critical stage of the action, and were also an example to all.”
(London Gazette, no.30975, 26 October 1918)
Royal Highlanders of Canada. RSM James Page 419055 MC, DCM, Croix du Guerre, Mentioned in Despatches. Lt Thomas Fasti Dinesen, VC sitting directly behind the battalion mascot. Sometime between 20 and 25 September 1918 in Dainville, Pas-de-Calais.
Comments
2 Responses to “Victoria Cross Recipients of the Great War in 1967”
Where is Milton Gregg? Even if he is not in the picture, he should be included in the text!
Ah, but CEFRG does have it’s own agenda. Also notice no comment on the GC’s and VC’s of the Second World War. How come you did not also notice the absence of Henry Strachan VC, MC, among others (Harcus died in Vancouver 1982). I imagine some of the living VC recipients declined to attend (the ever-humble Canadians). With all due respect, I disagree, the (long) post is about the Great War VC recipients in the image.