BUGLER ROBERT HAWTHORNE VC
52nd (Oxfordshire) Light Infantry
Date of Act: 14 September 1857
Place: Delhi, India
Age: 34/35
Citation: “Bugler Hawthorne, who accompanied the explosion party, not only performed the dangerous duty on which he was employed, but previously attached himself to Lieutenant Salkeld, of the Engineers, when dangerously wounded, bound up his wounds under a heavy musketry fire, and had him removed without further injury.”
(General Order of Major-General Sir Archdale Wilson, Bart., K.C.B., dated Head Quarters, Delhi City, September 21, 1857.)'
(London Gazette, 27 April 1858)
VC: RGJ Museum
52nd (Oxfordshire) Light Infantry
Date of Act: 14 September 1857
Place: Delhi, India
Age: 34/35
Citation: “Bugler Hawthorne, who accompanied the explosion party, not only performed the dangerous duty on which he was employed, but previously attached himself to Lieutenant Salkeld, of the Engineers, when dangerously wounded, bound up his wounds under a heavy musketry fire, and had him removed without further injury.”
(General Order of Major-General Sir Archdale Wilson, Bart., K.C.B., dated Head Quarters, Delhi City, September 21, 1857.)'
(London Gazette, 27 April 1858)
VC: RGJ Museum
LANCE-CORPORAL HENRY SMITH VC
(Later Sergeant H. Smith VC)
52nd (Oxfordshire) Light Infantry
Date of Act: 14 September 1857
Place: Delhi, India
Age: 31/32
Citation: “Lance Corporal Smith most gallantly carried away a wounded comrade under a heavy fire of grape and musketry on the Chaundee Chouck, in the city of Delhi, on the morning of the assault on the 14th September1857.”
(General Order of Major-General Sir Archdale Wilson, Bart., K.C.B., dated Head Quarters, Delhi City, September 21,1857.)'
(London Gazette, 27 April 1858)
Investiture: India, 1858
VC: RGJ Museum
(Later Sergeant H. Smith VC)
52nd (Oxfordshire) Light Infantry
Date of Act: 14 September 1857
Place: Delhi, India
Age: 31/32
Citation: “Lance Corporal Smith most gallantly carried away a wounded comrade under a heavy fire of grape and musketry on the Chaundee Chouck, in the city of Delhi, on the morning of the assault on the 14th September1857.”
(General Order of Major-General Sir Archdale Wilson, Bart., K.C.B., dated Head Quarters, Delhi City, September 21,1857.)'
(London Gazette, 27 April 1858)
Investiture: India, 1858
VC: RGJ Museum
PRIVATE HENRY ADDISON VC
43rd (Monmouthshire) Light Infantry
Date of Act: 2 January 1859
Place: Near Kurrereah, India
Age:37
Citation: “For gallant conduct on the 2nd of January 1859, near Kurrereah, in defending, against a large force, and saving the life of Lieutenant Osborn, Political Agent, who had fallen on the ground wounded. Private Addison received two dangerous wounds, and lost a leg, in this gallant service.”
(London Gazette, 2 September 1859)
Investiture: Queen Victoria, Windsor Home Park, 9 November 1860
VC:RGJ Museum
43rd (Monmouthshire) Light Infantry
Date of Act: 2 January 1859
Place: Near Kurrereah, India
Age:37
Citation: “For gallant conduct on the 2nd of January 1859, near Kurrereah, in defending, against a large force, and saving the life of Lieutenant Osborn, Political Agent, who had fallen on the ground wounded. Private Addison received two dangerous wounds, and lost a leg, in this gallant service.”
(London Gazette, 2 September 1859)
Investiture: Queen Victoria, Windsor Home Park, 9 November 1860
VC:RGJ Museum
CAPTAIN FREDERICK AUGUSTUS SMITH VC
(Later Lieutenant-Colonel FA. Smith VC)
43rd (Monmouthshire) Light Infantry
Date of Act: 21 June 1864
Place: Tauranga, New Zealand
Age: 38
Citation: “For his distinguished conduct during the engagement at Tauranga, on the 21st of June. He is stated to have led on his Company in the most gallant manner at the attack on the Maories' position, and, although wounded previously to reaching the Rifle Pits, to have jumped down into them, where he commenced a hand to hand encounter with the Enemy, thereby giving his men great encouragement, and setting them a fine example.”
(London Gazette,4 November 1864)
Investiture: None - posted to him, 31 January 1865
VC: Not publicly held
(Later Lieutenant-Colonel FA. Smith VC)
43rd (Monmouthshire) Light Infantry
Date of Act: 21 June 1864
Place: Tauranga, New Zealand
Age: 38
Citation: “For his distinguished conduct during the engagement at Tauranga, on the 21st of June. He is stated to have led on his Company in the most gallant manner at the attack on the Maories' position, and, although wounded previously to reaching the Rifle Pits, to have jumped down into them, where he commenced a hand to hand encounter with the Enemy, thereby giving his men great encouragement, and setting them a fine example.”
(London Gazette,4 November 1864)
Investiture: None - posted to him, 31 January 1865
VC: Not publicly held
COMPANY SERJEANT-MAJOR EDWARD BROOKS VC
2nd/4th Battalion, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
Date of Act: 28 April 1917
Place: Fayet, near St Quentin, France
Age: 34
Citation: “For most conspicuous bravery. This Warrant Officer, while taking part in a raid on the enemy's trenches, saw that the front wave was checked by an enemy machine gun at close quarters. On his own initiative, and regardless of personal danger, he rushed forward from the second wave with the object of capturing the gun, killing one of the gunners with his revolver and bayoneting another. The remainder of the gun's crew then made off, leaving the gun in his possession. C.S.M. Brooks then turned the machine gun on to the retreating enemy, after which he carried it back into our lines. By his courage and initiative he undoubtedly prevented many casualties, and greatly added to the success of the operations.”
(London Gazette, 27 June 1917)
Investiture: King George V, Buckingham Palace, 21 July 1917
VC: RGJ Museum
2nd/4th Battalion, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
Date of Act: 28 April 1917
Place: Fayet, near St Quentin, France
Age: 34
Citation: “For most conspicuous bravery. This Warrant Officer, while taking part in a raid on the enemy's trenches, saw that the front wave was checked by an enemy machine gun at close quarters. On his own initiative, and regardless of personal danger, he rushed forward from the second wave with the object of capturing the gun, killing one of the gunners with his revolver and bayoneting another. The remainder of the gun's crew then made off, leaving the gun in his possession. C.S.M. Brooks then turned the machine gun on to the retreating enemy, after which he carried it back into our lines. By his courage and initiative he undoubtedly prevented many casualties, and greatly added to the success of the operations.”
(London Gazette, 27 June 1917)
Investiture: King George V, Buckingham Palace, 21 July 1917
VC: RGJ Museum
LANCE-CORPORAL ALFRED WILCOX VC
2nd/4th Battalion, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
Date of Act: 12 September 1918
Place: Laventie, France
Age: 33
Citation: “For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in attack when his company was held up by heavy and persistent machine-gun fire at close range. On his own initiative, with four men he rushed forward to the nearest enemy gun. bombed it, killed the gunner and put the gun out of action. Being then attacked by an enemy bombing party, Cpl. Wilcox picked up enemy bombs and led his company against the next gun, finally capturing and destroying it. Although left with only one man, he continued bombing and captured a third gun. He again bombed up the trench, captured a fourth gun, and then rejoined his platoon. Cpl. Wilcox displayed in this series of successful individual enterprises exceptional valour, judgement and initiative.”
(London Gazette, 15 November 1918)
Investiture: King George V, Buckingham Palace, 26 November 1918
VC: Not publicly held
2nd/4th Battalion, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
Date of Act: 12 September 1918
Place: Laventie, France
Age: 33
Citation: “For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in attack when his company was held up by heavy and persistent machine-gun fire at close range. On his own initiative, with four men he rushed forward to the nearest enemy gun. bombed it, killed the gunner and put the gun out of action. Being then attacked by an enemy bombing party, Cpl. Wilcox picked up enemy bombs and led his company against the next gun, finally capturing and destroying it. Although left with only one man, he continued bombing and captured a third gun. He again bombed up the trench, captured a fourth gun, and then rejoined his platoon. Cpl. Wilcox displayed in this series of successful individual enterprises exceptional valour, judgement and initiative.”
(London Gazette, 15 November 1918)
Investiture: King George V, Buckingham Palace, 26 November 1918
VC: Not publicly held
LIEUTENANT JOHN ("JACK") HOLLINGTON GRAYBURN VC
2nd Parachute Battalion, Army Air Corps
(Formerly 1st Battalion The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry)
Date of act: 17th-20th September 1944.
Place: Arnhem Holland.
Age: 26
Citation: Lt. Grayburn was a platoon commander of the Parachute Battalion which was dropped on September 17th, 1944, with orders to seize and hold the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem. He, with his platoon, was to capture the southern end. Lt. Grayburn was wounded in the shoulder almost immediately, but he directed and pressed the assault until casualties became so heavy that he was ordered to withdraw. Later, he successfully organised the occupation of a house vital to the defence of the bridge. Although heavily attacked throughout the next day and night, thanks to Lt. Grayburn's courage, leadership, and skill in disposing his men, the house was held until it was set on fire on September 19th, and had to be evacuated. Lt. Grayburn then formed a fighting force of elements of all arms, including the remainder of his company. Although wounded again, this time in the back, he refused to be evacuated. When tank attacks, against which he had no defence, finally forced his retreat on September 20th, he stood up in full view of the enemy, and directed the withdrawal of his men to the main defensive perimeter. He was killed that night. For nearly four days, despite pain and weakness from his wounds, shortage of food and lack of sleep, Lt. Grayburn displayed supreme and unflagging gallantry and determination. Without his inspiring leadership the Arnhem bridge could not have been held for so long.
(London Gazette of 23rd January, 1945)
VC: Airborne Assault Museum, Duxford.
2nd Parachute Battalion, Army Air Corps
(Formerly 1st Battalion The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry)
Date of act: 17th-20th September 1944.
Place: Arnhem Holland.
Age: 26
Citation: Lt. Grayburn was a platoon commander of the Parachute Battalion which was dropped on September 17th, 1944, with orders to seize and hold the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem. He, with his platoon, was to capture the southern end. Lt. Grayburn was wounded in the shoulder almost immediately, but he directed and pressed the assault until casualties became so heavy that he was ordered to withdraw. Later, he successfully organised the occupation of a house vital to the defence of the bridge. Although heavily attacked throughout the next day and night, thanks to Lt. Grayburn's courage, leadership, and skill in disposing his men, the house was held until it was set on fire on September 19th, and had to be evacuated. Lt. Grayburn then formed a fighting force of elements of all arms, including the remainder of his company. Although wounded again, this time in the back, he refused to be evacuated. When tank attacks, against which he had no defence, finally forced his retreat on September 20th, he stood up in full view of the enemy, and directed the withdrawal of his men to the main defensive perimeter. He was killed that night. For nearly four days, despite pain and weakness from his wounds, shortage of food and lack of sleep, Lt. Grayburn displayed supreme and unflagging gallantry and determination. Without his inspiring leadership the Arnhem bridge could not have been held for so long.
(London Gazette of 23rd January, 1945)
VC: Airborne Assault Museum, Duxford.
