VC Worksop/Retford

[dorrie]

I was in conversation today with a friend and he infomred me that somebody from Worksop/Retford had won the VC. I am not aware of anybody from this area that has won the VC. Any help please?

Dorrie

[museumtom]

MORLEY, Samuel. (reg No. 889).

Private. 2nd Battalion. Military Train. *

London Gazetted on 7th August 1860.

VCs Medal's Custodian is The Royal Corps of Transport.

Born in December 1839 at East Retford, Nottinghamshire.

Died on 16th June 1888 at his home, 13, Garnet Street, Nottingham.

Memorial on grave in the General Cemetery, Nottingham.

Digest of Citation reads:

On 15th April 1858, Kooer Singh's Army were pursued by a squadron of the Military Train and some troops of the Horse Artillery at Azimgurh, India. Lieutenant Hamilton, of the 3rd SikhCavalry, became unhorsed and was surrounded by the enemy, who cut and hacked at him as he lay on the ground. Private Morley, seeing the Officers predicament, and despite the fact that his own horse had been shot from under him, immediately, with the aid of Farrier Murphy, cut down one of the Sepoys, and continued fighting over the Lieutenants body until assistance arrived. This action saved Lieutenant Hamilton from being killed on the spot

* Royal Army Service Corps.

Additional information:. Private Morley's service career began with the 8th Hussars where he served in the Crimea from September 1855. A year later, he transferred to the Military Train (Royal Army Service Corps). His regiment was sent to India, and he fought in the Indian Mutiny.

He was presented with his Victoria Cross by her Majesty Queen Victoria in Home Park, Windsor.

Private Morley felt somewhat perturbed when he learned that Farrier Murphy had been awarded the Victoria Cross. He told General Paget CB of his grievance, during his inspection at Aldershot in 1860. The general took up the complaint, read reports of the action, and on the evidence the powers that be, decided that Morley should also receive the VC.

After spending nearly 15 years in the army, he was discharged in 1870. He found work at the local Gas-works. He died at the age of 59. The City of Nottingham, subscribed and paid for a stoned to be erected on the grave of their local hero.

[museumtom]

Name William Henry,

JOHNSON Samuel,

MORLEY Harry,

NICHOLLS Walter Richard,

PARKER

Rank Sergeant Private Corporal Lance-Corporal

Force 1/5th Bn The Sherwood Foresters 2nd Bn Military Train

(later Royal Army Service Corps) 3rd Bn Grenadier Guards Royal Marine Light Infantry

Royal Naval Division

VC won France,

3 October 1918 Indian Mutiny,

15 April 1858 Belgium,

21 May 1940 Gallipoli,

30 April - 1 May 1915

London Gaz 14 December 1918 7 August 1860 30 June 1940 22 June 1917

Born Worksop,

15 October 1890 Radcliffe on Trent,

December 1829 Nottingham,

21 April 1918 Grantham, Lincolnshire,

20 September 1881

Died 25 April 1945,

Arnold 16 June 1888,

Nottingham 11 September 1975,

Leeds 27 November 1931,

Stapleford

Grave Redhill Cemetery General Cemetery, Nottingham Southern Cemetery, Nottingham Stapleford Cemetery

Location

of VC Sherwood Foresters Museum, Nottingham RHQ RCT / RASC Officers' Mess, Camberley Grenadier Guards RHQ Royal Marines Museum, Southsea

Remarks MM None Postumous VC awarded believing Nicholls killed in action None

[dorrie]

Fantastic and so quick thank

Dorrie

[museumtom]

Here is a more organised version

JOHNSON, William Henry. (reg No. 645).

Sergeant. 1st/5th Battalion. Sherwood Foresters *

London Gazetted on 14th December, 1918.

VC Medal's Custodian is the Sherwood Forester's Museum, Nottingham Castle, Nottingham.

Born 15th October 1890 at Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

Died on 25th April 1945 at Arnold, Nottingham.

Memorial not known.

Digest of Citation reads:

On 3rd October 1918 at Ramicourt, France, when his platoon was held up by a nest of machine guns firing at very close range, Sergeant Johnson made his way forward under heavy fire and single-handed charged the post, bayoneting several of the gunners and capturing two of the guns. During the attack he was severely wounded by a bomb, but continued to lead his men forward. Shortly afterwards the line was again held up by machine guns and once more, single-handed, the sergeant attacked the post, bombing the garrison, putting the guns out of action and capturing the teams.

* Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment.