Navi gation

Victoria Cross Winners 1914-1918

Name
Date Earned
Battalion
Notes
Rivers, Jacob 12 March 1915 1st
Private, number 6016. Killed in action 12 March 1915, aged 32, Battle of Neuve Chapelle. No known grave, but commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Born and enlisted in Derby, son of Mrs. Adeline Rivers, of 4 House, Wide Yard, Bridge Gate, Derby. "The London Gazette", dated 27th April, 1915, states:-"For most conspicuous bravery at Neuve-Chapelle on 12th March, 1915, when he, on his own initiative, crept to within a few yards of a very large number of the enemy who were massed on the flank of an advanced company of his battalion, and hurled bombs on them. His action caused the enemy to retire, and so relieved the situation. Pte. Rivers performed a second act of great bravery on the same day, similar to the first mentioned, again causing the enemy to retire. He was killed on this occasion." *
Upton, James 9 May 1915 1st Corporal. Born Lincoln, 3 May 1888, died Edgware, Middlesex, 10 August 1949. Cremated at Golders Green Crematorium. *
Vickers, Charles Geoffrey 14 October 1915 1/7th Temporary Captain. Born Nottingham, 13 October 1894, died 16 March 1982, Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Cremated at Oxford Crematorium. * (See also King's College London, Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives.)
Green, John Leslie 1 July 1916 1/5th Captain. Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to 1/5th Sherwood Foresters. Born at Buckden, Hunts. Son of John George and Florence May Green, of St. Mark's Lodge, Cambridge. Educated at Felsted School and Downing College, Cambridge, and Bartholomew's Hospital. Killed in action 1 July 1916 on the Somme. "The London Gazette", dated 4th August, 1916, states:"For most conspicuous devotion to duty. Although himself wounded, he went to the assistance of an officer who had been wounded and was hung up on the enemy's wire entanglements, and succeeded in dragging him to a shell hole, where he dressed his wounds, notwithstanding that bombs and rifle grenades were thrown at him the whole time. Captain Green then endeavoured to bring the wounded officer into safe cover, and had nearly succeeded in doing so when he himself was killed." More details (scroll down the link). See also the article on Tom Morgan's 'Hellfire Corner' website here.
Ball, Albert 26 April to 6 May 1917 RFC

Temporary Captain, 58th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps (formerly of 2/7th Sherwood Foresters). Born Nottingham, 1896, died of wounds 7 May 1917, aged 20. Buried in Annoeullin Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. "The London Gazette", dated 8th June, 1917, states:"For most conspicuous and consistent bravery from the 25th of April to the 6th of May, 1917, during which period Capt. Ball took part in twenty-six combats in the air and destroyed eleven hostile aeroplanes, drove down two out of control, and forced several others to land. In these combats Capt. Ball, flying alone, on one occasion fought six hostile machines, twice he fought five and once four. When leading two other British aeroplanes he attacked an enemy formation of eight. On each of these occasions he brought down at least one enemy. Several times his aeroplane was badly damaged, once so seriously that but for the most delicate handling his machine would have collapsed, as nearly all the control wires had been shot away. On returning with a damaged machine he had always to be restrained from immediately going out on another. In all, Capt. Ball has destroyed forty-three German aeroplanes and one balloon, and has always displayed most exceptional courage, determination and skill." Also awarded DSO (2 bars) and MC. *
Egerton, Ernest Albert 20 September 1917 16th Corporal. Born Longton, Stoke, 10 November 1897, died Blyth Bridge, 14 February 1966. Buried in St Peter's Churchyard, Blythe Bridge. *
Greaves, Fred 4 October 1917 9th Acting Corporal. Born Killamarsh, 16 May 1890, died 11 June 1973,
Brimington. Cremated at Brimington Crematorium. *
Hudson, Charles Edward 15 June 1918 11th Temporary Lieutenant Colonel. Born Derby, 29 May 1892, died 4 April 1959, St Mary's, Scilly Isles. Award earned at Asiago, Italy, 15th June 1918. "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when his battalion was holding the right front sector during an attack on the British front. The shelling had been very heavy on the right, the trench destroyed, and considerable casualties had occurred, and all the officers on the spot had been killed or wounded. This enabled the enemy to penetrate our front line. The enemy pushed their advance as far as the support line which was the key to our right flank. The situation demanded immediate action. Lieutenant Colonel Hudson recognising its gravity at once collected various headquarter details, such as orderlies, servants, runners, etc., and together with some Allies, personally led them up the hill. Driving the enemy down the hill towards our front line, he again led a party of about five up the trench, where there were about 200 enemy, in order to attack them from the flank. He then with two men got out of the tranch and rushed the position, shouting to the enemy to surrender, some of whom did. He was then severely wounded by a bomb which exploded on his foot. Although in great pain, he gave directions for the counter-attack to be continued and this was done successfully, about 100 prisoners and six machine guns being taken. Without doubt the high courage and determination displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Hudson saved a serious situation and had it not been for his quick determination in organising the counter-attack a large number of the enemy would have dribbled through, and a counter-attack on a larger scale would have been necessary to restore the situation."
Vann, Bernard William 29 September 1918 1/6th Acting Lieutenant Colonel, attached to 1/6th Battalion from the 1/8th Battalion. Killed in action 3 October 1918, aged 31. Buried in Bellicourt British Cemetery, Aisne, France. "The London Gazette," dated 14th December, 1918, states:-"For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and fine leadership during the attack at Bellenglise and Lehaucourt, on September 29th, 1918. He led his battalion with great skill across the Canal du Nord through a very thick fog and under heavy fire from field and machine guns. On reaching the high ground above Bellenglise the whole attack was held up by fire of all descriptions from the front and right flank. Realising that everything depended on the advance going forward with the barrage, Col. Vann rushed up to the firing line and with the greatest gallantry led the line forward. By his prompt action and absolute contempt for danger the whole situation was changed, the men were encouraged and the line swept forward. Later, he rushed a field-gun single-handed and knocked out three of the detachment. The success of the day was in no small degree due to the splendid gallantry and fine leadership displayed by this officer. Lt. Col. Vann, who had on all occasions set the highest example of valour, was killed near Ramicourt on 3rd October, 1918, when leading his battalion in attack." Also won MC and Bar.
Johnson, William Henry 3 October 1918 1/5th Sergeant. Born Worksop 15 October 1890, died Arnold 25 April 1945. Buried in Redhill Cemetery, Arnold, Nottinghamshire. Also won MM. * The London Gazette, dated 13 December 1918, states, "No. 306122 Sjt. William Henry Johnson, 1/5th Bn., Notts. & Derby. R. (T.F.) (Worksop). For most conspicuous bravery at Ramicourt on the 3rd of October, 1918. When his platoon was held up by a nest of enemy machine guns at very close range, Sjt. Johnson worked his way forward under very heavy fire, and single-handed charged the post, bayoneting several gunners and capturing two machine guns. During this attack he was severely wounded by a bomb, but continued to lead forward his men. Shortly afterwards the line was once more held up by machine guns. Again he rushed forward and attacked the post singlehanded. With wonderful courage he bombed the garrison put the guns out of action, and captured the teams. He showed throughout the most exceptional gallantry and devotion to duty."

* = VC can be seen at the Sherwood Foresters Museum, Nottingham

(All links to Mike Chapman's excellent work, the 'Victoria Cross Reference', now hosted by Wikipedia)

Further Reading: 'For Conspicuous Gallantry - A brief histroy of the recipients of the VC from Notts and Derbyshire', Nigel McCrery, 1990.