George Harry Wyatt
George Henry Wyatt VC | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 5 September 1886 Worcester, Worcestershire |
| Died | 22 January 1964 (aged 77) Sprotborough, South Yorkshire |
| Buried | Cadeby Churchyard |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1904 - 1909, 1914 - 1919 |
| Rank | Lance-Sergeant |
| Unit | Coldstream Guards |
| Battles / wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Order of Saint George (Russia) |
| Other work | Police officer |
George Henry Wyatt (usually known as George Harry Wyatt) VC (5 September 1886 – 22 January 1964) 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.
Early life
George Henry Wyatt was born on 5 September 1886 at Worcester, and enlisted into the Coldstream Guards, British Army on 23 November 1904 at Birmingham. He served with the 2nd Battalion at home, and then with the 3rd Battalion in Egypt.
Transferred to the Reserves on 9 January 1909, he joined the Barnsley Borough Police. Wyatt was recalled to the Army at the outbreak of World War I on 5 August 1914.
World War I
Wyatt was 27 years old, a Lance-Corporal in the 3rd Battalion, the Coldstream Guards. Stationed around Landrecies, on the night of the 25/26 August the following action took place for which he was awarded his VC:
On 25/26 August 1914 at Landrecies, France, part of Lance-Corporal Wyatt's battalion was hotly engaged close to some farm buildings, when the enemy set alight some straw sacks in the farmyard. The lance-corporal twice dashed out under very heavy fire from the enemy, only 25 yards (23 m) away, and extinguished the burning straw, making it possible to hold the position. Later, although wounded in the head, he continued firing until he could no longer see owing to the blood pouring down his face. The medical officer bound up his wound and ordered him to the rear, but he returned to the firing line and went on fighting[1]
He was promoted to Lance-Sergeant on 28 February 1917 and was demobilised on 14 January 1919.
Later life
He returned to the police force and served in the Doncaster Police force until his retirement in 1934. He is buried at St John the Evangelist's Church, Cadeby , near Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Awards
- Victoria Cross
- 1914 Star and Bar
- British War Medal
- Victory Medal
- 1937 Coronation Medal
- 1953 Coronation
- Order of St George (3rd Class), Russia
References
- ^ "No. 29371". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 November 1915. p. 11449.
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - 1914 (Gerald Gliddon, 1994)
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (South Yorkshire)
- Private George Wyatt (biography)