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Decorations of the Regiment

(Note: At this time, our unit does not authorize the wearing of historical decorations.)

Eighteen Victoria Crosses have been awarded to members of the Regiment over the past 150 years. Three members of the Regiment have been awarded the George Cross, which ranks immediately after the Victoria Cross. In addition to the above medals, there have been numerous other awards for bravery.

Victoria Cross

The eighteen Victoria Crosses awarded to members of the Regiment are listed below, in chronological order. The stories of the gallantry associated with their being won are also presented.
Images from www.franklyncards.com and the Victoria Cross Reference.

Private Samuel Evans

(Crimean War) Sevastopol. 13th April 1855 For repeatedly volunteering for duties of a hazardous nature in the trenches before Sevastopol on 13th April 1855. In particular, he led a small party which repaired an embrasure at a very exposed part of the line, under heavy and continuous fire. Evans was born at Paisley, Renfrewshire, in 1821. He died 4 October 1901, Edinburgh and is buried at Morningside Cemetery, Edinburgh.

Corporal John Lyons

(Crimean War) Sevastopol. 10th June 1855 For conspicuous gallantry in the trenches before Sevastopol on 10 June 1855. When a live shell fell in his traverse, he ran forward, picked it up, and threw it out, thus saving the lives of many of his comrades. Lyons was born at Carlow, County Carlow, Ireland in1824. He died 20 April 1867, in Naas, County Kildare, Ireland.

Sergeant A Atkinson



(South Africa) Paardeberg. 18th February 1900 During the Battle of Paardeberg, on 18 February 1900, Sergeant Atkinson went out seven times under heavy and close fire to obtain water for the wounded. At the seventh attempt he was himself wounded in the head, and died a few days afterwards.

Corporal William Anderson

(WWI). Neuve Chapelle 12 March 1915 For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at Neuve Chapelle on the 15th March I9I5, when he led three men with bombs against a large party of the enemy who had entered our trenches, and by his prompt and determined action saved what might have otherwise become a serious situation. Corporal Anderson first threw his own bombs, then those in possession of his three men (who had been wounded) among the Germans; after which he opened rapid fire upon them with great effect, notwithstanding that he was at the time quite alone.

2nd Lieut. Donald Simpson Bell

(WWI). Horseshoe Trench 5th July 1916 For most conspicuous bravery at Horseshoe Trench on 5th July I916. During an attack a very heavy enfilade fire was opened on the attacking company by an hostile machine gun. Second Lieutenant Bell immediately, and on his own initiative, crept up a communication trench and then, followed by Corporal Colwill and Private Batey, rushed across the open under very heavy fire and attacked the machine gun, shooting the firer with his revolver and destroying gun and personnel with bombs. (2nd Lieut. Bell, who played for Bradford Park Avenue, was the only professional footballer to win the VC.)

Major Stewart Walter Loudon Shand



(WWI). Fricourt 1st July 1916 For most conspicuous bravery near Fricourt on the 1st July I9I6. When his company attempted to climb over the parapet to attack the enemy's trenches they were met by very fierce machine gun fire, which temporarily stopped their progress. Major Shand immediately leapt on the parapet, helped the men over it and encouraged them in every way until he fell mortally wounded. Even then he insisted on being propped up in the trench, and went on encouraging the non- commissioned officers and men until he died.

Private William Short



(WWI). Munster Alley 6th August 1916 For most conspicuous bravery at Munster Alley on the 6th August 1916. He was foremost in the attack, bombing the enemy with great gallantry, when he was severely wounded in the foot. He was urged to go back, but refused and continued to throw bombs. Later his leg was shattered by a shell and he was unable to stand, so that he lay in the trench adjusting detonators and straightening the pins of bombs for his comrades. He died before he could be carried out of the trench. For the last eleven months, he had always volunteered for dangerous enterprises, and had always set a magnificent example of bravery and devotion to duty.

Captain Archie Cecil Thomas White, MC

(WWI). Stuff Redoubt 27th September and 1st October 1916 For most conspicuous bravery at Stuff Redoubt on the 27th September and the 1st October 1916. He was in command of the troops that held the southern and western faces of a redoubt. For four days and nights, by his indomitable spirit, great personal courage, and skilful dispositions, he held his position under fire of all kinds and against several counter- attacks. Though short of supplies and ammunition, his determination never wavered. When the enemy attacked in greatly superior numbers and had almost ejected our troops from the redoubt, he personally led a counter- attack which finally cleared the enemy out of the southern and western faces. He risked his life continually and was the life and soul of the defence. White was born at Boroughbridge, Yorkshire, 5 October 1890. He died 20 May 1971, at Camberley, Surrey and interred Woking Crematorium.

Captain David Philip Hirsch

(WWI). Wancourt 22nd April 1917 For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack near Wancourt on the 23rd April 1917. Having arrived at the first objective, Captain Hirsch, although twice wounded, returned over fire- swept slopes to satisfy himself that the defensive flank was being established. Machine- gun fire was so intense that it was necessary for him to be continuously up and down the line encouraging his men to dig and hold the position. He continued to encourage his men by standing on the parapet and steadying them in the face of machine gun fire and counter- attack until he was killed. His conduct throughout was a magnificent example of the greatest devotion to duty.

Private Tom Dresser



(WWI). Roeux 12th May 1917 For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty near Roeux on the 12th May 1917. Private Dresser, in spite of being twice wounded on the way, and suffering great pain, succeeded in conveying an important message from Battalion Headquarters to the front line of trenches, which he eventually reached in an exhausted condition. His fearlessness and determination to deliver the message at any cost proved of the greatest value to his Battalion at a critical period. Dresser was born at Pickering, Yorkshire, on 21 July 1892. He died 9 April 1982, Middlesbrough and is buried at Thorn tree Cemetery, Middlesbrough (Name not on family stone).

Corporal William Clamp

(WWI). Poelcapelle 9th October 1917 For most conspicuous bravery near Poelcapelle on the 6th October 1917, when an advance was being checked by intense machine- gun fire from concrete blockhouses and by snipers in ruined buildings, Corporal Clamp dashed forward with two men and attempted to rush the largest blockhouse. His first attempt failed owing to the two men with him being knocked out, but he at once collected some bombs and, calling upon two men to follow him, again dashed forward. He was first to reach the blockhouse and hurled in the bombs, killing many of the occupants. He then entered and brought out a machine gun and about twenty prisoners, whom he brought back under heavy fire from neighbouring snipers. This non- commissioned officer then again went forward, encouraging and cheering the men and succeeded in rushing several snipers' posts. He continued to show the greatest heroism until he was killed by a sniper. His magnificent courage and self- sacrifice were of the greatest value and relieved what was undoubtedly a very critical situation.

Lieut. Colonel Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson, DSO

(WWI). Rossignol Wood 28th March 1918 For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at Rossignol Wood on the 28th March 1918. His command was at a dangerous point, where continuous attacks were made by the enemy in order to pierce the line. A counterattack had been made against the enemy position which at first achieved its object, but as they were holding out in two improvised strong points, Lieutenant Colonel Watson saw that immediate action was necessary, and he led his remaining small reserve to the attack, organising bombing parties and leading attacks under intense rifle and machine gun fire. Outnumbered, he finally ordered his men to retire, remaining himself in a communication trench to cover the retirement, though he faced almost certain death by so doing. The assault he led was at a critical moment, and without a doubt saved the line. Both in the assault and covering his men's retirement he held his life as nothing, and his splendid bravery inspired all troops in the vicinity to rise to the occasion and save a breach being made in a hardly- tried and attenuated line. Lieutenant Colonel Watson was killed while covering the withdrawal.

2nd Lieut. Ernest Frederick Beal



(WWI). St. Leger 21st and 22nd March 1918 For most conspicuous bravery and determined leading at St. Leger on the 21st and 22nd March 1918, when in command of a company detailed to occupy a certain section of a trench. When the company was established it was found that a considerable gap of about four hundred yards existed between the left flank of the company and the neighbouring unit, and that this gap was strongly held by the enemy. It was of vital importance that this gap should be cleared, but no troops were then available. Organising a small party of less than a dozen men, he led them against the enemy. On reaching an enemy machine gun Second Lieut. Beal immediately sprang forward and with his revolver killed the team and captured the gun. Continuing along the trench, he encountered and dealt with another machine gun in the same manner, and in all captured four enemy guns and inflicted severe casualties. Later in the evening, when a wounded man had been left in the open under heavy enemy fire, he, regard- less of danger, walked up close to an enemy machine gun and brought in the wounded man on his back. Second Lieut. Beal was killed by a shell on the following morning.

Private Henry Tandy, DCM, MM

(WWI). Marcoing 28th September 1918 For most conspicuous bravery and initiative during the capture of a village and the crossings at Marcoing and the subsequent counterattack on the 28th September 1918. His platoon was held up by machine- gun fire. He at once crawled forward, located the machine gun with a Lewis gun team and knocked it out. On arrival at the crossings he restored the plank bridge under a hail of bullets, thus enabling the first crossing to be made at this vital spot. Later in the evening, during an attack, he, with eight comrades was surrounded by an overwhelming number of Germans and, though the position was apparently hopeless, he led a bayonet charge through them, fighting so fiercely that thirty seven of the enemy were driven into the hands of the remainder of his company. Although twice wounded, he refused to leave until the fight was won. Tandy earned the Victoria Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, and the Military Medal, making him the most decorated private soldier of the First World War.

Sergeant William McNally, MM

(WWI). Piave 27th October 1918 For most conspicuous bravery and skilful leading during the operations on the 27th October 1918, across the Piave, when his company was most seriously hindered in its advance by heavy machine- gun fire from the vicinity of some buildings on a flank. Utterly regardless of personal safety, he rushed the machine- gun post single- handed, killing the team and capturing the gun. Later at Vassola, on the 29th October, when his company, having crossed the Monticano River, came under heavy rifle fire and machine- gun fire, Sergeant McNally immediately directed the fire of his platoon against the danger point, while he himself crept to the rear of the enemy's position. Realising that a frontal attack would mean heavy losses, he, unaided, rushed the position, killing or putting to flight the garrison and capturing a machine gun. On the same day, when holding a newly- captured ditch, he was strongly counterattacked from both flanks. By his coolness and skill in controlling the fire of his party he frustrated the attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Throughout the whole of the operations his innumerable acts of gallantry set a high example to his men, and his leading was beyond all praise. McNally was born at Murton, 16 December 1894. He died on 5 January 1976, at Murton and his remains were interred by Tyne & Wear Crematorium, Sunderland.

Lieut. Col. Derek Anthony Seagrim



(WW II). Mareth Line 20th and 21st March 1943 On 20/ 21 March 1943 at the Mareth Line, Tunisia, Lieutenant Colonel Seagrim's courage and leadership led directly to the capture of an important objective. When it appeared that the attack on the position would fail owing to the intensity of the enemy fire, he placed himself at the head of his battalion and led them forward. He personally helped to place a scaling ladder over an anti- tank ditch and was the first across. Leading an attack on two machine- gun posts, he accounted for twenty of the enemy and when a counter-attack was launched next day he moved from post to post quite unperturbed, until it was defeated. Lieutenant Colonel Seagrim was killed in action shortly afterwards, on 6 April 1943.
Lt. Col. Seagrim's brother, Major H P Seagrim, DSO MBE MC, 19 Hyderabad Regiment and SOE, won a posthumous GC behind the Japanese lines in Burma, 2 September 1944. They are the only brothers to have won a VC and a GC.

Company Sergeant Major Stanley Hollis

(WW II). Normandy 6th June 1944 During the assault on the beaches and the Mont Fleury battery, CSM Hollis's Company Commander noticed that two of the pill boxes had been by- passed and went with CSM Hollis to see that they were clear. When they were 20 yards from the pill box, a machine gun opened fire from the slit. CSM Hollis instantly rushed straight at the pill box, firing his Sten gun. He jumped on top of the pill box, recharged the magazine, threw a grenade in through the door, fired his Sten gun into the box, killing two Germans and making the remainder prisoners. He then cleared several Germans from a neighbouring trench. By this action he undoubtedly saved his Company from being fired on heavily from the rear, and enabled them to open the main beach exit. Later in the same day in the village of Crepon, the Company encountered a field gun and crew armed with Spandaus at 100 yards range. CSM Hollis was put in command of a party to cover an attack on the gun. Hollis pushed right forward to engage the gun with a PIAT from a house at 50 yards range. He was observed by a sniper who fired and grazed his right cheek and at the same moment the gun swung round and fired at point blank range into the house. To avoid the falling masonry CSM Hollis moved his party to an alternative position. Two of the enemy gun crew had, by this time, been killed and the gun was destroyed shortly afterwards. He later found that two of his men had stayed behind in the house and immediately volunteered to get them out. In full view of the enemy, who were continually firing at him, he went forward alone using a Bren gun to distract their attention from the other men. Under cover of his diversion, the two men were able to get back. Wherever fighting was heaviest CSM Hollis appeared, and in the course of a magnificent day's work he displayed the utmost gallantry and on two separate occasions his courage and initiative prevented the enemy from holding up the advance at critical stages. It was largely through his heroism and resource that the Company's objectives were gained and casualties were not heavier. By his own bravery he saved the lives of many of his men. Hollis was born at Middlesbrough, 21 September 1912. He died 8 February 1972, Liverton Mines, and is buried at Acklam Cemetery, Middlesbrough.

Lieut. William Basil Weston

(WW II). Meiktila 3rd March 1945 On 3rd March 1945 during the attack on Meiktila, Burma, Lieutenant Weston was commanding a platoon which, together with the rest of the company, had to clear an area of the town of the enemy. In the face of fanatical opposition he led his men superbly, encouraging them from one bunker position to the next. When he came to the last, particularly well- defended bunker, he fell wounded in the entrance. Knowing that his men would not be able to capture the position without heavy casualties he pulled the pin out of one of his grenades as he lay on the ground and deliberately blew himself up together with the occupants of the bunker.

George Cross

The three George Crosses were awarded as follows:

Lance Sgt. Thomas Edward Alder

China 16th November 1930 On 14th November 1930, Lance Sergeant Alder, in charge of a group of three soldiers of the Regiment, was employed on anti- piracy duties on board the SS Wuhu on the Yangste Kiang River. Whilst proceeding up river, the ship was fired on by communists with guns and rifles on four occasions. Fire was returned, and a number of casualties were observed. At 4.30 p. m. on 16th November, L/ Sgt. Alder left the Wuhu in order to proceed to the assistance of the SS Kiatung which had run ashore and was being attacked by communists in sampans. The party had to proceed to the aid of this vessel 2 miles up river in an open sampan under constant rifle fire from both banks. After reaching the Kiatung and embarking, L/ Sgt. Alder and his men were under fire from rifle and gun fire constantly from both sides of the river until the 17th November when another vessel arrived to their assistance. Eventually, the Kiatung was towed off the sandbank and during the return journey the vessel was fired upon on a number of occasions.

Corporal Thomas Atkinson

Palestine 15th March 1938 Corporal Thomas Atkinson was in charge of the mechanical transport when a truck caught fire at Jinsafut Camp, Palestine. He organised the removal of the remainder of the mechanical transport to a point clear of the burning truck. Without his initiative and energy in rallying the drivers and assisting them to move their trucks out of danger, the remainder of the transport would have caught fire as well and a general conflagration throughout the camp would have been inevitable. Corporal Atkinson was subsequently indefatigable in his efforts to subdue the fire right up to the time he was severely burnt in endeavouring to save the life of one of his comrades.

Private Thomas McAvoy

Palestine 15th March 1938 Private McAvoy was amongst those endeavouring to put out the flames of the burning truck at Jinsafut Camp, Palestine. He was working beside the nearest petrol tank, which was alight. To relieve the pressure in the petrol tank and to save a possible explosion, he took up a pick axe and pierced the petrol tank without any thought for his own safety, though he must have been aware of the appalling risk he was taking. The jet of burning petrol which immediately rushed out caused him to be badly burned.
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