Geoffrey Cather
Geoffrey St George Shillington Cather | |
|---|---|
 Geoffrey St. George Shillington Cather | |
| Born | 11 October 1890 Streatham Hill, London, England |
| Died | 2 July 1916 (aged 25) Hamel, France |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1914-1916 † |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | 9th Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers |
| Battles / wars | World War I: Battle of the Somme |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Lieutenant Geoffrey St. George Shillington Cather VC (11 October 1890 – 2 July 1916) was born in the Streatham Hill area of south-west London. He was a 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.
Cather was born on 11 October 1890 to R. G. Cather and Mrs. M. M. Cather.[1] He joined the Artists Rifles[2] during the First World War. As a 25-year-old lieutenant in the 9th Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers, he was awarded the VC for his actions on 1 July 1916 near Hamel, France.[3]
For most conspicuous bravery. From 7 p.m. till midnight he searched 'No Man's Land', and brought in three wounded men. Next morning at 8 a.m. he continued his search, brought in another wounded man, and gave water to others, arranging for their rescue later. Finally, at 10.30 a.m., he took out water to another man, and was proceeding further on when he was himself killed. All this was carried out in full view of the enemy, and under direct machine gun fire and intermittent artillery fire. He set a splendid example of courage and self sacrifice[4]
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Regimental Museum of The Royal Irish Fusiliers, Armagh, Northern Ireland.
References
- ^ Cather, Geoffrey St George, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- ^ Barry Gregory. A History of the Artists Rifles 1859-1947. Pen & Sword, Barnsley. 2006. page 314
- ^ Find-A-Grave profile for Geoffrey St. George Shillington Cather
- ^ "No. 29740". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=(help)). 9 September 1916.
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - The Somme (Gerald Gliddon, 1994)
External links
- Use dmy dates from April 2012
- 1890 births
- 1916 deaths
- People from Streatham
- Royal Irish Fusiliers officers
- Artists' Rifles soldiers
- British Battle of the Somme recipients of the Victoria Cross
- British military personnel killed in World War I
- British Army personnel of World War I
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross