Royal Marine VCsCrimean War to World War IIRoyal Marine Infantry, Artillery and CommandosRoyal Marine VCs; these men are the true recorded heroes of the Royal Marines, and rightly so, their gallantry deserves recognition for their brave deeds that they courageously carried out. Every person who wears the Globe and Laurel of the Corps can feel proud to walk the paths of their heroic forefathers, for they too are members of the valiant family of Royal Marines. There is more substantiation about the Corps more recent heroes, where, their records of service have been more closely recorded. Unfortunately the older generations records were not so thoroughly on record like they are today; however there is sufficient confirmation proving witness to these great deeds of valour and honour. The Victoria Cross AwardThe Victoria Cross was instituted during the Crimean War by Royal Warrant on 29th January 1856 to honour extreme acts of valour carried out in the face of the enemy. All persons considered for the award were to be on a perfectly even footing "neither rank, nor long service, nor wounds, nor any other circumstance or condition whatsoever, save the merit of conspicuous bravery . . ." The first investiture was held in Hyde Park on 26th June 1857. Queen Victoria decorated sixty-two men, twelve were Naval personnel and two were Royal Marines. Corporal John PrettyjohnRoyal Marines, H.M.S. Agamemnon, detachmentBesides his V.C. Prettyjohn was awarded the British Crimea Medal with clasps for Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol. The Turkish Crimea and Sardinian Crimea Medals, the China Medal 1857 with clasp for Canton a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and a Good Conduct gratuity for gallantry in the Crimea. He died aged 62, in Manchester on 20th January 1887. Bombardier Thomas WilkinsonRoyal Marines ArtilleryAs well as the VC, Wilkinson also received the French Legion of Honour, the Turkish Crimea Medal and the British Crimea Medal with clasps for Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol. He died aged 55, in York on 22nd September 1887. Lieutenant George DowellRoyal Marines Artillery, H.M.S. RubyHis Victoria Cross had the Blue Ribbon (won at sea) he was also presented with the Crimea Medal with Baltic Clasp. He retired from military service with the rank of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel as Adjutant of the 3rd Brigade, Western Division of Artillery Militia on 29th January 1886. He then emigrated. He died aged 79, in Auckland, New Zealand. Captain Lewis HallidayRoyal Marines Light InfantryH.M.S. Orlando, Boxer Rebellion, Peking, ChinaApart from the V.C. he held a China War Medal with Defence of Legations clasp, the Order of Companion of the Bath, 3rd June 1913, British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-1918 Star. He was Deputy Lieutenant for Devon from the 1930's until 1950 and Gentleman Usher to the Sword of State. He died on 9th March 1966 in Dorking. Lance-Corporal Walter ParkerRoyal Marines Light InfantryRoyal Naval Division, Gallipoli, TurkeyThough severely wounded during the operation Parker was eventually invalided from the service in June 1916. Beside his VC he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War and Victory Medals and a war gratuity of £10. The men of the Division presented him with an inscribed marble and gilt clock. He never fully recovered from his injuries and died aged 55. Major Francis HarveyRoyal Marines Light InfantryH.M.S. Lion, at the Battle of JutlandThe Victoria Cross was presented to his widow by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 29th November 1916. He also held a 1914-1915 Star and a Victory Medal was issued in his name. He was buried at sea. Major Frederick LumsdenRoyal Marines ArtilleryWestern Front. 3rd April 1917Whilst Brigade Commander of the 14th Brigade he was further gazetted on 11th May 1917 for two bars to his D.S.O. In the temporary rank of Brigadier-General he was wounded on 2nd August 1917 and on return to duty promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel Royal Marines Artillery for distinguished service. On 19th April 1918 he was awarded a third bar for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the field. He was awarded the Companion of the Bath in the King's Birthday honours list for 1918. He held the 1914 Star, British War Medal, Belgium's Croix de Guerre and was mentioned in dispatches four times. He was killed in a forward trench on the night of the 3rd June 1918. Captain Edward Bamford4th Battalion Royal Marines Light InfantryHis other decorations were the Russian Order of St. Anne 3rd Class with Swords on 5th June 1917, French Legion of Honour on 23rd May 1919, Japanese Order of the Rising Sun 4th Class in August 1921, 1914-1915 Star (MID), British War medal and Victory Medal. He died aged 41, on 30th September 1928, Sergeant Norman FinchRoyal Marines ArtilleryH.M.S. Vindictive, Zeebrugge, 23/4/18In 1964 he was appointed Divisional Sergeant-Major in Her Majesty's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard and awarded the Royal Victorian Medal for his services. His other medals were 1914/15 Star, the British War and Victory Medals, and on 27th January 1924 the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He died aged 75, in St. Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth on 15th March 1966 Corporal Thomas Hunter43rd Royal Marine Commando, Lake CommachioKing George VI presented his VC to his parents at a private investiture on 26th September at Holy-rood House. Corporal Hunter was finally hit in the head by a burst of Spandau fire. The Penman's ClubLike to read the Penman's e-books; please contact-us. Like to join The Penman's Club and receive occasional updates of his new e-books. Tell your friends, family and all your colleagues about us; and let them enjoy our friendly web site; and the Penman's exciting e-books. If you enjoy reading and are interested in the Penman's stories, below you can find links to the first three pages of each e-book. For customers purchasing e-books from my website, everything has been done for the customers and my security. I am using: ESET Smart Security-The intelligent cutting edge protection for PC integrating giving us both maximum protection. Penman's Club
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Elizabeth Cross Royal Marine VCs
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