The
highest British Award for conspicuous bravery or devotion to Country
and duty in the face of the enemy.
The VCs are made from bronze. The metal comes from melted
down breeches of guns captured from the Russians at Sebastopol in the
Crimea. The rough cast Crosses are then individually hand
finished; each is therefore unique. The remaining ingot of
bronze, believed to be sufficient for a further 80
Crosses, is held by the Ministry of Defence.
Victoria Cross Recipients ...
Page 2
 Rifleman William McFadzean
(20years)
1st Bn
Royal Irish Rifles 1st July 1916 Thiepval
(Somme) France
On 1 July 1916, near
Thiepval Wood, France, in a concentration trench, a box of bombs being
opened for distribution prior to an attack slipped down into the
trench, which was crowded with men, and two of the safety pins fell
out. Private McFadzean, instantly realizing the danger to his comrades,
with heroic courage threw himself on the top of the bombs, which
exploded, blowing him to pieces, but only one other man was injured. He
well knew the danger, being himself a bomber, but without a moment's
hesitation he gave his life for his comrades.
Killed in the above action.
 Rifleman
Robert Quigg (31years)
12th Bn
Royal Irish Rifles 1st July 1916 Hamel
(Somme) France
On 1 July 1916, at Hamel,
France, Rifleman Quigg advanced to the assault with his platoon three
times. Early next morning hearing a rumour that his platoon officer was
lying wounded, he went out seven times to look for him under heavy
shell and machine-gun fire, each time bringing back a wounded man. The
last man he dragged in on
a waterproof sheet from within a few yards of
the enemy's wire. He was engaged for seven hours in this most gallant
work and finally was so exhausted that he had to give it up.
Later achieved rank of Sergeant
 Lieutenant G St G C Cather (25 years)
9th Bn
Royal Irish Fusiliers 1st July 1916 Hamel
(Somme) France
On 1st July 1916 near
Hamel, France, from 7pm till midnight, Lieutenant Cather searched "No
Man's Land" and brought in three wounded men. Next morning, at 8am, he
continued his search, brought in another wounded man and gave water to
others, arranging for their rescue later. Finally, at 10.30am, he took
out water to another man
and was proceeding further on when he was
himself killed. All this was carried out in full view of the enemy and
under direct machine-gun fire and intermittent artillery fire.
Killed in the above action.
 Lieutenant
Colonel John Sherwood-Kelly CMG DSO (37 years)
1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 20th November
1917 Marcoing (Cambrai) France
On 20th November 1917 at
Marcoing, France, when a party of men were held upon the near side of a
canal by heavy rifle fire, Lieutenant Colonel Sherwood-Kelly at once
ordered covering fire, personally led his leading company across the
canal and then reconnoitred, under heavy fire, the high ground held by
the enemy. He took
a Lewis gun team, forced his way through obstacles
and covered the advance of his battalion, enabling them to capture the
position. Later he led a charge against some pits from which heavy fire
was coming, capturing five machine-guns and 46 prisoners.
Died of natural causes 18th
August 1931
 Second
Lieutenant J S Emerson (22 years)
9th Bn
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 6th December
1917 (Cambrai) France
On 6th December 1917, on
the Hindenberg Line north of La Vacquerie, France, Second Lieutenant
Emerson led
his company in an attack and cleared 400 yards of trench.
Though wounded, when the enemy attacked in
superior numbers he met
their attack with eight men, killing many and taking six prisoners. For
three hours afterwards, all other officers having become casualties, he
remained with his company, refusing to go to the dressing station, and
repeatedly repelling bombing attacks. Later, leading his men to repel
another attack, he
was mortally wounded. His heroism inspired his men
to hold out until reinforcements arrived.
Killed in the above action.
 Private James Duffy (28 years)
6th Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 17th December 1917
Kareina Peak Palestine
On 17th December 1917 at
Kereina Peak, Palestine, whilst the company was holding a very exposed
position, Private Duffy, a stretcher-bearer, and another
stretcher-bearer went out to bring in a seriously
wounded comrade. When
the other stretcher-bearer was wounded, Private Duffy returned to get
another
man, who was killed almost immediately. The private then went
forward alone and, under very heavy
fire, succeeded in getting both
wounded men under cover and attended to their injuries. His
gallantry
undoubtedly saved both men's lives.
Died of natural causes 7th
April 1969
 Second Lieutenant E De Wind (34 years)
15th Bn
Royal Irish Rifles 23 March 1918 Grugies
France
On 21 March 1918, at the
Racecourse Redoubt, near Groagie, France, for seven hours Second
Lieutenant De Wind held this important post and though twice wounded
and practically single-handed, he maintained his position until another
section could be sent to his help. On two occasions, with two NCOs
only, he got out on top under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire and
cleared the enemy out of the trench, killing many of them. He continued
to repel attack after attack until he was mortally wounded and
collapsed.
Killed in the above action.
 Lance Corporal Earnest Seaman (25
years)
2nd Bn
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 29th September 1918
Terhand Belgium
On 29 September 1918 at
Terhand, Belgium, when the right flank of his company was held up by
enemy machine-guns, Lance-Corporal Seaman went forward under
heavy fire
with his Lewis gun and engaged the position single-handed, capturing
two machine-guns and 12 prisoners, and killing one officer and two men.
Later in the day he again rushed another enemy machine-gun post,
capturing the gun under very heavy fire. He was killed immediately
afterwards, but it was due to his gallant conduct that his company was
able to push forward to its objective.
Killed in the above action
 Private Norman Harvey (25 years)
1st Bn
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 25 October 1918
Ingoyghem Belgium
On 25th October 1918 at
Ingoyghem, Belgium, when the battalion was held up and suffering heavy
casualties from the enemy machine-guns, Private Harvey on his own
initiative rushed forward and engaged the enemy single-handed,
disposing of 20 of them and capturing the guns. Later when his company
was checked by another enemy strong point he again rushed forward and
put the enemy to flight. Subsequently, after dark he voluntarily
carried out a single-handed and important reconnaissance and gained
valuable information.
Killed in action, Near
Haifa, Palestine - 16th Feb 1942
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