1841: During the Opium War against China, British naval and land forces took possession of Chusan.

1916: During an attack in France, two British battalions suffered heavily, and one lost its commanding officer to a serious wound. Lieutenant-Colonel Roland Bradford, commanding the other battalion, from the Durham Light Infantry, took charge of both units, and, despite an appallingly confused situation with threats to his front and flanks, not only held the ground already secured, but succeeded in making a further advance. He received the Victoria Cross.

His citation reads :

For most conspicuous bravery and good leadership in attack, whereby he saved the situation on the right flank of his Brigade and of the Division. Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford's Battalion was in support. A leading Battalion having suffered very severe casualties, and the Commander wounded, its flank became dangerously exposed at close quarters to the enemy. Raked by machine-gun fire, the situation of the Battalion was critical.

At the request of the wounded Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford asked permission to command the exposed Battalion in addition to his own. Permission granted, he at once proceeded to the foremost lines. By his fearless energy under fire of all description, and his skilful leadership of the two Battalions, regardless of all danger, he succeeded in rallying the attack, captured and defended the objective, and so secured the flank.

Bradford was promoted to Brigadier General on November 10, 1917; he was only 25 and was the youngest Brigadier in the British Army. He died at Graincourt, France, November 30, 1917. He was the brother of Commander George Nicholson Bradford, Royal Navy, who was awarded the V.C. for action during the Zeebrugge Raid, making the Bradfords one of only four pairs of brothers to receive the medal

1917: Near Polygon Wood in Belgium

a German attack well supported by artillery threatened to break through the British positions. Lieutenant-Colonel Philip Bent, Leicestershire Regiment, organised a small ad hoc force to mount a counter-attack.

Charging forward in front of his men, he inspired them by shouting, “Come on the Tigers!” His actions won the day and secured the position, but during the charge he was cut down by enemy fire. He was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

1918: Damascus fell to Allenby's British, ANZAC and Arab forces.

On the Western Front, three VCs were won. At Ledeghem in Belgium, Lieutenant Robert Gorle, Royal Field Artillery was in command of an 18-pounder gun working in close conjunction with the infantry. He brought his gun into action in the most exposed position on four separate occasions and disposed of enemy machine-guns by firing over open sights under direct fire.

Later, when the infantry were driven back, he galloped his gun in front of the leading troops and twice knocked out enemy machine-guns which were causing the trouble. His disregard of personal safety was a magnificent example to the wavering line which rallied and re-took the northern end of the village.

Sergeant Frederick Riggs, York & Lancaster Regiment, was killed after leading a series of successful attacks in the face of unbroken barbed wire and a concentration of machine-guns.

His citation reads:

For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice on the morning of 1st Oct., 1918, near Epinoy, when, having led his platoon through strong uncut wire under severe fire, he continued straight on, and although losing heavily from flanking fire, succeeded in reaching his objective, where he rushed and captured a machine gun.

He later handled two captured guns with great effect, and caused the surrender of fifty enemy. Subsequently, when the enemy again advanced in force, Serjt. Riggs cheerfully encouraged his men to resist, and whilst exhorting his men to fight on to the last, this very gallant soldier was killed.

His remains were not recovered.

Sergeant William Merrifield, 1st Central Ontario Regiment, attacked alone two machine-gun posts, then, despite having been badly wounded in the process, continued to lead his platoon in an assault until his injuries finally forced his evacuation.

1925: The first University Air Squadron was established by the RAF, at Cambridge University. The university squadrons proved a valuable part of the system of reserve and auxiliary training units established by the RAF between the wars, producing many future aircrew.

1940:There were three significant daylight Luftwaffe attacks in the south-east. Night targets included London, Liverpool and Manchester.