KONDOA Posted 3 April , 2005 Share Posted 3 April , 2005 Chums, I have searched with little success for further information on this chap and his VC . Any help regarding the action etc would be appreciated as always. Roop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGWR Posted 3 April , 2005 Share Posted 3 April , 2005 Chums, I have searched with little success for further information on this chap and his VC . Any help regarding the action etc would be appreciated as always. Roop <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Roop, Not much I'm afraid: Major William Anderson Bloomfield VC (Scout Corps, 2nd South African Mounted Brigade) Born: 30 Jan 1873 Edinburgh, Scotland (Name at birth: Broomfield) Died: 12 May 1954 at Emelo, Transvaal, SA from heart failure Buried: Emelo Cemetery, Ousthuizen St, Emelo 24th August 1916- Miali, German East Africa When consolidating a new position, having been attacked and forced to retire, Capt Bloomfield discovered that a wounded Cpl had been left behind. He went back over 400yds swept by machine gun fire and brought the man to safety. His medal are at the Military History Museum, Johannesburg. Regards, AGWR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGWR Posted 3 April , 2005 Share Posted 3 April , 2005 Also... His wife was Maria Magdalena Bloomfield (nee De Villiers) Born 3 Feb 1877. She died 28 June 1969. Regards, AGWR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KONDOA Posted 3 April , 2005 Author Share Posted 3 April , 2005 Thanks AGWR its better than I had. Roop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linge Posted 4 April , 2005 Share Posted 4 April , 2005 Roop This is the Gazette citation if you didn't already have it: London Gazette Friday 29th December 1916 Capt. William Anderson Bloomfield, Scouts Corps, S. African Mtd. Bde. For most conspicuous bravery. Finding that after being heavily attacked in an advanced isolated position, the enemy were working round his flanks, Captain Bloomfield evacuated his wounded, and subsequently withdrew his command to a new position, he himself being amongst the last to retire. On arrival at the new position he found that one of the wounded – No 2475 Corporal D. M. P. Bowker – had been left behind. Owing to very heavy fire he experienced difficulties in having the wounded Corporal brought in. Rescue meant passing over some 400 yards of open ground, swept by heavy fire, in full view of the enemy. This task Captain Bloomfield determined to face himself, and, unmindful of personal danger, he succeeded in reaching Corporal Bowker and carrying him back, subjected throughout the double journey to heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. This act showed the highest degree of valour and endurance. Also per David Harvey’s excellent book “Monuments to Courage” he is commemorated by a display at the South African Memorial, Delville Wood Regards Pam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KONDOA Posted 4 April , 2005 Author Share Posted 4 April , 2005 Thanks Pam, Strange that he is on the memorial at Delville Wood. Roop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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