Herbert James
| Herbert James | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 30 November 1888 Ladywell, Birmingham |
| Died | 15 August 1958 Kensington, London |
| Buried at | Kensal Green Cemetery, London |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1909-1930 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 21st Lancers Worcestershire Regiment East Lancashire Regiment York and Lancaster Regiment |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Military Cross Medal of La Solidaridad (Panama) Croix de Guerre (France) |
Major Herbert James VC, MC (30 November 1888 – 15 August 1958) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
James was 26 years old and a second lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 28 June 1915 in the southern zone of Gallipoli, when the advance of part of the regiment had been checked, Second-Lieutenant James, from a neighbouring unit, gathered together a body of men and led them forward under heavy fire. He then returned, organised a second party and again advanced, putting fresh life into the attack. On 3 July he headed a party of bomb throwers up a Turkish communication trench and when all his party had been killed or wounded, he remained alone, under murderous fire and kept back the enemy until a barrier had been built behind him and the trench secured.
He later achieved the rank of major. His medals are on display at the Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.[1]
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - Gallipoli (Stephen Snelling, 1995)
[edit] External links
- 1888 births
- 1958 deaths
- British Gallipoli Campaign recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Worcestershire Regiment officers
- British Army personnel of World War I
- Recipients of the Military Cross
- People from Birmingham, West Midlands
- Burials at Kensal Green Cemetery
- East Lancashire Regiment officers
- York and Lancaster Regiment officers
- 21st Lancers soldiers
- Recipients of the Medal of La Solidaridad
- Recipients of the Croix de Guerre (France)
