Saw the MOH thread and thought a Victoria Cross one was in order.Got to keep the British end up and all that (and Commonwealth of course).
Start you off with:-
Sgt Maurice Albert William Rogers,2nd Batt.The Wiltshire Regiment,MM,VC.
VC won at Anzio,3rd June 1944.
" A carrier platoon was held up by barbed wire and intense machine gun fire only 70 yards from the objective.Sgt Rogers,with his Thompson machine gun,crashed through the wire,ran across a mine field beyond and accounted for two of the enemy posts.
This action so inspired his platoon,now 100 yards behind,that they advanced to the assault,but before they could reach the Sergeant he had been wounded in the leg.Undaunted,he continued to advance until he was shot and killed and point blank range"
A stunningly heroic and noble act.
Come on chaps,lets see as many posts on this thread as possible.

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O it's "thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll....

Hi Tommy--I think so too. Thanks to my good mate--Paul--I have some nice info on Captain Richard Wallace Annand, and I have an autographed pic of him as well and a D.L.I. booklet on their VC.

Tha Captain is still doing well [img]smile.gif[/img]

If you don't mind me asking but, how far do you live from London?

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Tommy -

Modest advert: my website gives equal promotion for these highest awards of both US and UK Forces in the WWII Mediterranean Campaigns:
http://www.milhist.net/mto/victoriax.shtml
http://www.milhist.net/mto/moh.shtml
The VC presentation also serves, in a sense, as a chronology of the actions in that Theatre.

I must wonder, though, whether Sgt. Rogers' citation is correct as to the location of his action (citing instead the name of the battle/campaign). The breakout from Anzio beachhead was initiated some two weeks earlier than 3rd June 1944. (This is not meant in any way to belittle him nor the effect of his action, just questioning the record keeping at that time/place.)

- Pat

Hi
Interestingly enough Capt.Annand was on British Tv last week,one of the VC recipients featured in a programme regarding notable 'recent' VC winners (WW2,Korea and the Falkland Island's).Capt.Annand's wife told the story of the VC action as Capt.Annand is profoundly deaf,the circumstances were humbly played down but as anyone who has read the citation etc knows it was anything but ordinary.A chelsea pensioner,unfortunately I cannot remember the gentlemans name,from the Durham Light Infantry who fought alongside Captain Annand also made an appearance.
I live about 20 miles from Central London,(Home Counties).
Pat,will definitely have a look at your site.
Regards

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O it's "thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll....

Looking at my last post,perhaps notable was the wrong word to use,all VC actions are notable....What I should have said is that the programme featured surviving WW2 winners and also posthumous such as Colonel H Jones.
Regarding Anzio,might be worth further investigation,possibility 'Anzio' used to encompass an area ?

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O it's "thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll....

And now I'll repay by citing another of the VC brigade, Major Anders Lassen, Special Boat Service, for his action in the opening blows of the Po Valley campaign that ended the WW II in Italy:

"On 8 April 1945 at Lake Comacchio, Italy, Major Lassen was ordered to take a patrol and raid the north shore of the lake, causing as many casualties and as much confusion as possible to give the impression of a major landing. In the face of overwhelming enemy numbers he fulfilled his mission, three positions being wiped out, and when he was mortally wounded he refused to be evacuated so that the withdrawal should not be impeded and his men's lives endangered."

Hi Tommy, I also have a pic of Adam Wackenshaws gun as well--thanks to my friend in London.

You can see where schrapnel splattered all over its protective plate.

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Thanks Pat,a great citation and a good example of one of the many foreign nationals who have won the VC,in this case a Dane.
C.Evans,sorry don't know your first name,Adam Wakenshaw,thats the chap who crewed a field gun by himself with one arm blown off
Definitely one for the future.Can you post a copy of the picture you have,I haven't seen it before.
Ps What are you a Cowboys or a Texans fan ?
Regards

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O it's "thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll....

Tommy Atkins? Didnt I share a muddy hole with you once?

http://www.chapter-one.com/vc/

Above site for anyone who has not come across it yet is one we have taken a lot of vc citations from before.

Suprised Panzerkacker has not jumped in yet..Hes the guy for Medal of honour ref on here usually.

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Prepare to repel borders.
William L. McGonagle, MOH, U. S. Navy, Commanding Officer, USS LIBERTY 1967.

Whoops, sorry, I didnt see military history;s link to that site above..sorry,, duplicaton.

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Prepare to repel borders.
William L. McGonagle, MOH, U. S. Navy, Commanding Officer, USS LIBERTY 1967.

Hi Tommy, I don't have a way to post a scan of it but, I can make a copy of it and snailmail it to you if you want?

Yep--Adam was the chap that manned that gun.

Cowboys--all the way.

First name is Carl. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Cheers.

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Carl,Thanks for the offer re the picture,don't worry I will find it somewhere over here,thanks anyway.
You don't want to know what US football team I follow if you are a Cowboys fan.........lets just say the word'thanksgiving'....

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O it's "thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll....

no problem at all mate. Also on football--just don't tell anyone but--I really don't follow that kind of action very often.

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

As best as I can ascertain (98% sure), the action where Roger’s was killed took place at Ardea, over 11½ miles north of Anzio, while they were clearing the coastal section towards Rome while Gen. Mark Clark with his ‘I must be the first into Rome’ extended probe was about 5 miles south of Rome. German forces meanwhile were escaping in numbers by passing east of Rome.

The only action in Anzio itself took place during the initial landing which was soon settled and Anzio town was never attacked by land thereafter. Apart from the comparative short/sharp fight for Anzio town, forces just walked ashore on the beaches – thanks to Canaris.




Pat, re Lassen, (the only non British recipient), opinion among his contemporaries and those there at the time, was there was nothing remarkable about what happened that night and his VC was posthumously awarded for his total war service. Who was the officer who witnessed the action and recommended the award? Lassen was only leading two patrols? There again, if you’ve handed out a VC it has to be for an ‘action’, there’s supposedly no such thing as ‘a career achievement VC’? As the preacher’s say; “When the argument’s weak, speak loudly”.



On the first attempt to reach the causeway road between Comacchio and Porto Garibaldi on the night of 6/7 April, they got held up by the artificial dyke which they blew gaps in, (the main traditional activity for Comacchio locals in the dyked area was some eel fishing and salt reclamation through evaporation). On 7/8 the boats got beaten back by strong winds. On 8/9 four patrols went out to land at two points. I have read several ’spin’ accounts where facts have been augmented with ‘boy’s own’ oddments. What happened was a regular action, unfortunate for Lassen.

Once landed, Lassen's two patrols headed up the narrow causeway towards Comacchio town. About 2 miles short of it they came under MG fire which they silenced with grenades and small-arms. Killed two and captured two. 500 Yards further along they encountered a blockhouse which they similarly assaulted. 6 Germans surrendered and Lassen walked forward in front of his men to take the surrender. At this point a third MG opened up from the other side of the causeway and caused several casualties including Lassen. A fire-fight flared up and Lassen ordered a withdrawal. It was not possible to evacuate all casualties as the MG was raking the causeway. Lassen ordered anyone to be left who was unreachable which included himself being furthest away from the main body. He continued to give supporting fire till he was killed. The 3rd MG on the other side of the causeway was never taken. When the men got back to their boats, they left one behind in case anyone else could make their way back and indeed 4 (including 2 wounded) did reach it just before dawn and escaped after laying low on a nearby island during the following day.

Lassen’s VC award three days later was of course close on the heels of that to Tom Hunter five days before for a not altogether dissimilar (though considerably more daring) action. Pat, in respect of Hunter, please, please correct his date. It was 3rd April (100% positive) not 2nd April.

That VC website IS WRONG. They have been advised a long time ago, but fail to even reply. Who says the 2nd is wrong? The War Diaries for No.43 Commando (RM), the MOD records, the veterans who were there with him, his head stone and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

No.9

Here is Capt. Charles Upham's.The long citations are better but I don't want to write it all out.

Between 22 and 30 May 1941 in Crete, Greece, Second Lieutenant Upham displayed outstanding leadership and courage in the very close-quarter fighting. He was blown up by one mortar shell and badly wounded by another. He was also wounded in the foot, but in spite of his wounds and a severe attack of dysentery, he refused to go to hospital. He carried a wounded man back to safety when his company was forced to retire on 22 May and on 30 May he beat off an attack at Sphakia, 22 Germans falling to his short-range fire.

BAR: On 14/15 July 1942 at El Ruweisat Ridge, Western Desert, Captain Upham, in spite of being twice wounded, insisted on remaining with his men. Just before dawn he led his company in a determined attack, capturing the objective after fierce fighting; he himself destroyed a German tank and several guns and vehicles with hand grenades. Although his arm had been broken by a machine-gun bullet, he continued to dominate the situation and when at last, weak from loss of blood, he had his wounds dressed, he immediately returned to his men, remaining with them until he was again severely wounded and unable to move.

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David

When you go home
Tell them of us, and say
For your tomorrow
We gave our today.

Gentlemen,

Adam Wakenshaws 2 Pdr Anti Tank Gun is in the Durham Light Infantry Museum (with his VC) where it was placed after the war on being recovered by the Regiment from Mersa Matruh in the Western Desert, where Adam won his VC.Adam was serving with 9th Bn DLI and is buried in El Alamein War Cemetry.

Tomorrow ,15th May is the 63rd Anniversary of the awarding of the first VC of the Second World War to my friend Capt Dick Annand 2nd Bn DLI at the River Dyle in Belgium.
I will be telephoning him to pass on my best wishes(Carl will pass yours on too).

Paul [img]smile.gif[/img]

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Nikto ne Zabyt . Nichto ne Zabyto.

Let no one forget . Let nothing be forgotten.

Top work no.9 ! Well thats that cleared up for me ! Regarding your comments about 'career' VC's,what are thoughts regarding this as it does appear to have happened in other cases ?
Great post as well regarding Captain Upham,the only VC bar from a combatant rather than medical background (not that i'm casting aspersions on either...)
Regards

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O it's "thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll....

[img]smile.gif[/img] Hi Paul--I greatly appriciate that Mate

I definately need to get back into mailing these guys. I also hope Remy is still doing well--it's been a loooooooong few months since I last wrote to him.

Take care my friend--Carl. [img]smile.gif[/img]

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Big doo...today in London with queen in attendance to lay stone and honour all remaining vc and george cross holders.

Havent seen it mentioned much apart from pics on BBC1.

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Prepare to repel borders.
William L. McGonagle, MOH, U. S. Navy, Commanding Officer, USS LIBERTY 1967.

Urgh--please tell me more. Like can you tell me how many recipients of both the VC and GC are still living?

Anything you can tell me will be greatly appriciated. [img]smile.gif[/img]

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Carl BBC report

Queen honours heroes


The Queen met VC and GC holders
The Queen has paid special tribute to the civilian and military heroes who hold Britain's highest awards for bravery.

She unveiled the first national memorial to holders of the Victoria and George Crosses at a service at Westminster Abbey in London.

The stone, inscribed with the words "Remember Their Valour and Gallantry" will be placed near the Tomb Of The Unknown Warrior in the abbey.

The service was conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, who said the holders' bravery "does not deny the reality of fear but is moved and energised by a vision".

Selfless

HEROES PRESENT FROM:
Australia
Canada
India
Malaysia
Nepal
New Zealand
South Africa
UK
US
"It is always courage that is exercised in one way or another for the sake of others, to make something possible for others, not for personal gain or glory," he added.

About 34 of the 44 living holders of the medals were in the congregation of 1,600, including all five living British VC holders and others from across the Commonwealth.

Among them was Bill Speakman, who was seriously injured leading a series of death-defying charges while under attack during the Korean War in 1951.

He told the BBC he felt the medal was for all his comrades.


Bill Speakman said his VC is for all his comrades
"There were other people with me, right alongside me at the same time, so we mustn't forget those guys. I remember them always," he said.

"It was a long, long time ago, in the 1950s, but I still feel a great fondness for them and I carry the medal for them."

'Incredible courage'

Also present was Jim Beaton, the Royal Protection Officer who was awarded the George Cross after being shot while saving Princess Anne from abduction in 1974, and remains modest about his bravery.

"She was driving up the Mall when a chap tried to get in front of her and kidnap her. Basically he started shooting at her and I got between him and her and eventually he got caught," he said.


Jim Beaton was awarded a GC for saving Princess Anne
Didy Graham, of the Victoria and George Cross Association, said the memorial would enable the dwindling band of living holders to be remembered forever.

"Future generations will be questioning about what they all mean and will be able to go and read or look up about them.

"And they in turn will be inspired by these examples of incredible, incredible courage and bravery."

Some of the holders said the commemoration of their valour had come "not before time".

"It is magnificent but it could have been done before now," said John Cruickshank, 83, a former pilot who won the VC during the World War II.

Falklands

Fellow VC Keith Payne, an Australian and Vietnam veteran, said: "It's a little overdue but it's an appropriate time with the world situation so uncertain at the moment."

The Victoria Cross is the highest award for gallantry that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. It is given only for great acts of bravery in times of extreme danger.

VICTORIA AND GEORGE CROSSES
VC: Highest award for gallantry that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces
GC: Awarded primarily to civilians and ranks second only to the Victoria Cross
It has been bestowed 1,354 times since Queen Victoria instituted it in 1856.

Only 11 have been awarded since 1946 - the last two occasions were to Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Jones and Sergeant Ian McKay, who both died in the Falklands war in 1982.

The George Cross, instituted by the Queen's father, George VI, during the World War II, is awarded primarily to civilians and ranks second only to the Victoria Cross.

A total of 155 GCs have been awarded, 82 posthumously.

The most recent was awarded in 1999 to the entire Royal Ulster Constabulary, which was then renamed the Police Force of Northern Ireland.

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Prepare to repel borders.
William L. McGonagle, MOH, U. S. Navy, Commanding Officer, USS LIBERTY 1967.

Carl, ive also sorted out some after acton reports from destroyer actions in Norwegian waters 1940. Will open a thread for em over weekend and try to scan em all in...bit blurred but can make out the gist of em..

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Prepare to repel borders.
William L. McGonagle, MOH, U. S. Navy, Commanding Officer, USS LIBERTY 1967.