Frank Crowther Roberts
Frank Crowther Roberts | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 2 June 1891 Highbury, London |
| Died | 12 January 1982 (aged 90) Stanhope Bretby, Derbyshire |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1911–1939 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands | 48th (South Midland) Division Poona Brigade 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment |
| Battles / wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Order Officer of the Order of the British Empire Military Cross Mentioned in Despatches |
Major General Frank Crowther Roberts VC, DSO, OBE, MC (2 June 1891 – 12 January 1982) was a British Army officer and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Roberts was educated at St. Lawrence College, Ramsgate and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, then was commissioned into The Worcestershire Regiment in 1911.[1] He was 26 years old, and an acting lieutenant colonel in the 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment, during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
During the period 22 March/2 April 1918 west of Somme and at Pargny, France, Lieutenant Colonel Roberts showed exceptional military skill in dealing with the many very difficult situations of the retirement and amazing endurance and energy in inspiring all ranks under his command. On one occasion the enemy attacked a village and had practically cleared it of our troops when Colonel Roberts got together an improvised party and led a counter-attack which temporarily drove the enemy out of the village, thus covering the retirement of troops on their flanks. The success of this action was entirely due to his personal valour and skill.[2]
He became commander of the Poona Brigade of the British Indian Army in 1938 and briefly commanded the 48th (South Midland) Division in 1939, retiring with the rank of major general in December that year in the early months of the Second World War.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Worcestershire Regimental Collecion in the Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, Worcester, Worcestershire, England.
References
- ^ http://www.worcestershireregiment.com/wr.php?main=inc/o_roberts
- ^ "No. 30675". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=(help)). 7 May 1918.
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - Spring Offensive 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 1997)
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Derbyshire)
- Generals.dk
- Use dmy dates from April 2012
- People educated at St. Lawrence College, Ramsgate
- British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Worcestershire Regiment officers
- British Army personnel of World War I
- British Army generals of World War II
- Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
- Graduates of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- People from Highbury
- 1891 births
- 1982 deaths
- Recipients of the Military Cross
- Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers officers
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross