1758: Horatio Nelson was born at Burnham Thorpe Rectory.

1855: In the Crimea, Lieutenant Christopher Teesdale, Royal Artillery, distinguished himself in the defence of siege works against a Russian attack, leading Turkish gunners. He then earned the formal thanks of the Russians by restraining his Turkish troops from killing wounded Russian prisoners.

Teesdale was the first South African-born Recipient of the Victoria Cross and went on to achieve the rank of Major General

1915: At the infamous Hohenzollern Redoubt, further heavy fighting saw two Victoria Crosses earned. Second Lieutenant Fleming-Sandes, East Surrey Regiment, was severely wounded during a lone bombing attack on the Germans. Private Harvey, York & Lancaster Regiment, meanwhile repeatedly braved enemy fire to carry some thirty boxes of grenades up to the front line before he fell wounded.

1918: Four Victoria Crosses were won on the Western Front:

Lieutenant-Colonel Bernard Vann, Sherwood Foresters

His citation reads:

For most conspicious bravery, devotion to duty and fine leadership during the attack on Bellenglise and Lehaucourt on 29 September 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, Lt 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.

Major Blair Wark, 32nd Australian Battalion

Over the course of three days, from 29 September to 1 October 1918, Major Wark led from the front in a series of advances from Bellicourt to Joncourt, France. While commanding the 32nd Battalion, passing tanks and gathering under his command 200 leaderless Americans, Wark swept through Nauroy.

This was followed up by Wark and a few men rushing and capturing four guns and crew, which were causing heavy casualties. Pushing forward, and with the support of just two non-commissioned officers, he surprised and captured fifty Germans near Magny-la-Fosse. The next day he was involved in further attacks and advances, often without regard for personal risk.

His citation reads:

For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and control during the period 29th Sept. to 1 Oct. 1918, in the operations against the Hindenburg Line at Bellicourt, and the advance through Nauroy, Étricourt, Magny La Fosse and Joncourt. On 29 Sept., after personal reconnaissance under heavy fire, he led his command forward at a critical period and restored the situation. Moving fearlessly at the head of, and at times far in advance of his troops, he cheered his men on through Nauroy, thence towards Étricourt.

Throughout he displayed the greatest courage, skilful leading and devotion to duty, and his work was invaluable.

After the war he returned to work as a quantity surveyor in Sydney, rising in position to hold directorships in several corporations and non-profit institutions. When World War II broke out he was appointed Major, then Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 1st Battalion of the City of Sydney’s Own Regiment. In July 1941 Wark died very suddenly at Pukapunual Camp, Victoria, at the age of 46. His medals, as well as one of the 77mm guns he captured, are on display at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.

Other VCs won today on the Western Front include Captain MacGregor, 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles & Lance-Corporal Seaman, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (posthumous)

1931: Flight Lieutenant Stainforth set a new aircraft world speed record of 407mph at Lee-on-Solent, flying a Supermarine S6B seaplane.

1935: During the Second Mohmand Campaign, Captain Godfrey Meynell of the Corps of Guides, went to the aid of troops pinned down by overwhelming numbers of tribesmen at the Nahaqi Pass on the North-West Frontier.

He organised a most effective defence, but fell mortally wounded during intense close-quarter fighting. He was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

1940: Luftwaffe activity during the day was much reduced, although London and Liverpool suffered night raids as normal.

1944: Corporal John Harper, York & Lancaster Regiment, led an assault on a German position in Belgium across 300 yards of completely exposed ground & through very heavy fire, including a barrage of mortar bombs

The attack cost him his life, but his men managed to take the position. His outstanding courage and leadership were recognised with the award of a posthumous Victoria Cross.

His citation reads:

[Harper's battalion] attacked the Depot de Mendicite, a natural defensive position surrounded by an earthen wall and a dyke and strongly held by the enemy. Corporal Harper, disregarding the heavy fire, led the section that he commanded up to the wall, and killed or captured the enemy holding the near side. The platoon commander was seriously wounded, and Corporal Harper took over command of the platoon. He then climbed over the wall and routed the Germans directly opposing him. Finding the dyke too deep to cross, he was ordered to establish his platoon on the far side of the wall, between it and the dyke. This he succeeded in doing with the loss of only one man, having himself by then climbed the wall three times.

Finally he was fatally wounded while directing his company commander to a ford which had been discovered by the neighbouring battalion. The success of the battalion in driving the enemy from the wall and back across the dyke must be largely ascribed to the superb self-sacrifice and inspiring gallantry of Corporal Harper. His magnificent courage, fearlessness and devotion to duty throughout the battle set a splendid example to his men and had a decisive effect on the course of the operations