On This Day ... in 1858 & Others
An attack on Fort Ruhiya, held by rebel Indian forces during the Mutiny, saw the award of five Victoria Crosses. Captain Cafe, Lance-Corporal Thompson and Private Spence retrieved the body of an officer lying under the walls of the fort, and Private Kelly was similarly decorated for the recovery of the body of another officer killed. In a third incident, Sergeant Simpson rescued under fire two badly wounded men. Spence died shortly afterwards of wounds received that day.
Elsewhere, as British and loyal Indian troops pursued a defeated rebel force near Azumgurh, Farrier Murphy and Private Morley went to the rescue of a wounded officer whose horse had been shot from under him. The two men killed or drove off a number of enemy approaching the casualty, then stood guard over him, shielding his body, until relief arrived. Both received the Victoria Cross.
1917: Lieutenant Pope commanded a small detachment of Australian troops guarding a key position on the Western Front. They came under heavy and sustained attack from overwhelming forces. At length, their ammunition exhausted, Pope led his men forward in a desperate bayonet charge which inflicted heavy losses before they were cut down almost to a man. Pope was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.
1942: The Island of Malta was awarded the George Cross for its perseverance during the ordeal of many months of blockade and over 1,000 air attacks. The collective award is unique.
Comments
Tell you what, stories like that of Fort Ruhiya, suggest very strongly that even if Victorian class and race distinctions were strong in the Army - and I am sure that is true - they were, in action, completely ignored, and everyone looked after everyone else regardless of rank and colour.
Normally I try to follow George Orwell's advice, but the foregoing is the the longest sentence I have written in a long time. Apologies.
Posted by: Jeff Wood | April 15, 2009 12:39 PM