The Menin Gate – The Victoria Cross Recipients

The Menin Gate, lit up at night, Monday 14th May 2018.

Going back a few hours, here we are awaiting the daily ceremony that has taken place at the Menin Gate, barring the years of occupation, since the end of the Great War.

The buglers in action during the ceremony,…

…and the wreath laying (out of shot to the right).

The evening’s dignitaries shake hands and exchange a few words with the buglers – these particular dignitaries all being part of our tour group, you will encounter them again in later posts, when I shall introduce you.

In the meantime, one of them left this wreath and attached note, which contains a clue.

‘In Remembrance of the 6,228 men of The East Surrey Regiment Killed 1914-1918.  Lieutenant General Richard P. Mills, United States Marine Corps’.

Once the ceremony was over and the crowd had dispersed,…

…opportunity beckoned to find some specific men among the thousands remembered here, beginning with the eight Victoria Cross holders whose names are to be found inscribed on the panels, all but one of whom died in, or soon after, the action in which they won their award.  A more general, and very long, tour around the memorial can be found here.

Frederick Fisher was born in Ontario, Canada, on 3rd August 1894, his family moving to Montreal in 1905.  Within days of the outbreak of war he enlisted in 5th Regiment (Royal Highlanders of Canada) before being posted to 13th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force and arriving in England in mid-October 1914.  In February 1915 the battalion arrived in France, and Fisher, now a lance corporal in the battalion Machine Gun Section, had his first experience of the trenches in the ‘Nursery’ where the Canadians took over a section of line at Fleurbaix, prior to moving to the Ypres Salient in mid-April.  During the desperate defence following the first German gas attack on 22nd April, Fisher, seeing that advancing German troops were about to overrun a Canadian artillery battery, raced forward with his machine gun team and, under heavy enemy fire, covered the retreat of the battery, allowing the two 18-pound guns to be saved, although four of his men were killed.  Continuing on, he cleared part of a wood of its German inhabitants, taking charge of a French machine gun that had been abandoned.  Frederick Fisher was killed in action the following day, 23rd April, when, whilst mounting his gun on the trench parapet under heavy fire, he was shot in the chest and killed.  His body was buried behind the trench at the time, but was subsequently lost. A curious discrepancy exists between the date of the action in which he won his V.C., which is given officially as 23rd April, and the Official History of the Canadian Forces in the Great War 1914-1919, which gives the date of the action as the evening of 22nd April.  He was the first Canadian (as in born in Canada) in the Canadian Army to be awarded the V.C.

Lance Corporal Frederick Fisher’s citation reads: “On 23rd April, 1915, in the neighbourhood of St. Julien, he went forward with the machine gun, of which he was in charge, under heavy fire, and most gallantly assisted in covering the retreat of a battery, losing four men of his gun team. Later, after obtaining four more men, he went forward again to the firing line and was himself killed while bringing his machine gun into action under very heavy fire, in order to cover the advance of supports.”

Frederick William Hall was born on 21st February 1885 in County Kilkenny, Ireland, and enlisted in the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Special Reserve in February 1901.  Over the next twelve years he served in both South Africa and India before returning to England and leaving the service with the rank of sergeant in 1913, after which he emigrated to Canada.  Joining the 8th Battalion (Winnipeg Rifles) in September 1914 and embarking with them for England in October, by December Frederick was a Colour Sergeant, and in mid-February the battalion arrived in France where, after further training, they entered the line in mid-April, taking over French positions a few days before the German gas attack of 22nd April.  On the night of 23rd Frederick Hall, hearing moaning from wounded men on a nearby ridge, twice went out under cover of darkness to help, returning on both occasions with a wounded man.  As dawn broke on 24th April, and with some men still missing, Hall and two others went out under heavy enemy fire to conduct a search for them.  His two colleagues were soon hit and returned to the British lines, but Hall continued to try to help a wounded man calling for help nearby, reaching him at the second attempt, and it was whilst trying to lift the man to carry him back that both men were shot and killed.

Company Sergeant Major Frederick Hall’s citation reads: “On 24th April, 1915, in the neighbourhood of Ypres, when a wounded man who was lying some 15 yards from the trench called for help, Company Serjeant-Major Hall endeavoured to reach him in the face of a very heavy enfilade fire which was being poured in by the enemy. The first attempt failed, and a non-commissioned officer and private soldier who were attempting to give assistance were both wounded. Company Serjeant-Major Hall then made a second most gallant attempt, and was in the act of lifting up the wounded man to bring him in when he fell mortally wounded in the head.”

Edward Warner was born on 18th November 1883 in Hertfordshire.  He enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment late in 1903, serving in India until the battalion returned to England, where he joined the reserve.  Recalled immediately on the outbreak of war, he was in France by 16th August 1914.  On 1st May 1915, near Hill 60, Warner, acting on his own initiative, entered a recently gassed and vacated British trench alone to prevent it from falling into German hands.  Despite being seriously gassed, and with reinforcements unable to reach him, he held out before leaving the trench to bring more men up himself, after which he collapsed.  The trench was held, but Private Edward Warner died soon afterwards from the effects of the German gas.  His body, as was the case with so many who fought and died on Hill 60, was later lost.

Private Edward Warner’s citation reads: “For most conspicuous bravery near ‘ Hill 60 ‘ on 1st May, 1915. After Trench 46 had been vacated by our troops, consequent on a gas attack, Private Warner entered it single-handed in order to prevent the enemy taking possession. Reinforcements were sent to Private Warner, but could not reach him owing to the gas. He then came back and brought up more men, by which time he was completely exhausted, but the trench was held until the enemy’s attack ceased. This very gallant soldier died shortly afterwards from the effects of gas poisoning.”

Sidney Clayton Woodroffe was born on 7th December 1895 near Lewes, East Sussex.  Commissioned into the Rifle Brigade on 23rd December 1914, he embarked for France at the end of May 1915.  On 30th July 1915, at Hooge on the Menin Road, as the Germans succeeded in breaking through the centre of the British front line trenches using flame throwers, Second Lieutenant Woodroffe’s position came under heavy attack from bombers on both flanks, and from the rear.  Woodroffe defended his post until his supply of bombs was exhausted, after which he managed to extract his remaining men from the position, before immediately leading them on a counter attack under severe rifle and machine gun fire, during which he was killed whilst attempting to cut through the German wire.  As an interesting postscript, Lieutenant Gilbert Talbot, after which Talbot House in Poperinghe would be named, was also killed at the same place on the same day.  His brother, Neville Talbot, crawled into No Man’s Land and identified not only his brothers’ body, but also that of Sidney Woodroffe.  A week later Gilbert Talbot’s body was retrieved (we have visited his grave in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery), but Sidney’s body could not be found.  Sidney Woodroffe was the first member of the New Armies to be awarded a Victoria Cross.

Second Lieutenant Sidney Woodroffe’s citation reads: “For most conspicuous bravery on 30th July, 1915, at Hooge. The enemy having broken through the centre of our front trenches, consequent on the use of burning liquids, this Officer’s position was heavily attacked with bombs from the flank and subsequently from the rear, but he managed to defend his post until all his bombs were exhausted, and then skilfully withdrew his remaining men. This very gallant Officer immediately led his party forward in a counter-attack under an intense rifle and machine gun fire, and was killed whilst in the act of cutting the wire obstacles in the open.”

Two V.C.s on one panel, if you can spot them.

John Franks Vallentin was born in Lambeth in London on 14th May 1882.  Early in his Army career he served in South Africa with the Royal Sussex Regiment, later gaining a regular commission in the Royal Garrison Artillery before transferring to the South Staffordshire Regiment in 1905 and serving on the North West Frontier of India.  Promoted to captain in 1909, he arrived in France with his battalion on 5th October 1914, and although slightly wounded at the end of the month, was soon back in the front line.  On 7th November 1914, near Zillebeke, John Vallentin was leading an attack under heavy German fire when he was severely wounded and, on rising to encourage his men to continue the attack, killed.

Captain John Vallentin’s citation reads: “For conspicuous bravery on 7th November 1915, at Zillebeke. When leading the attack against the Germans under a very heavy fire he was struck down, and on rising to continue the attack was immediately killed. The capture of the enemy’s trenches which followed was in a great measure due to the confidence which the men had in their Captain, arising from his many previous acts of great bravery and ability.”

Denis George Wyldbore Hewitt was born in Mayfair in London on 18th December 1897.  He was commissioned into the Hampshire Regiment in April 1916, and by September he was in France.  On 31st July 1917, north east of Ieper, his men having captured their first objective, and whilst waiting for the barrage to lift in order to advance once more, he was hit by a shell fragment which exploded the signal lights in his haversack, setting fire to his equipment and clothes.  Despite being wounded and in severe pain from his burns, Hewitt led forward the remains of his company under heavy German machine gun fire, capturing their second objective.  It was while inspecting the consolidation of the captured position that he was killed by a sniper.  Although the location of his grave was recorded as 150 yards west of the St Julien to Poelcapelle road, his body was never subsequently found.

Second Lieutenant Denis Hewitt’s citation reads: “For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in command of a company in attack. When his first objective had been captured he reorganized the company and moved forward towards his objective. While waiting for the barrage to lift, he was hit by a piece of shell, which exploded the signal lights in his haversack and set fire to his equipment and clothes. Having extinguished the flames, in spite of his wound and the severe pain he was suffering, he led forward the remains of the company under very heavy machine gun fire, and captured and consolidated his objective. He was subsequently killed by a sniper while inspecting the consolidation and encouraging his men. This gallant officer set a magnificent example of coolness and contempt of danger to the whole battalion, and it was due to his splendid leading that the final objective of his battalion was gained.”

Hugh McDonald McKenzie was born in Liverpool on 5th December 1885, emigrating to Canada with his wife and family in 1911.  On the outbreak of war Hugh enlisted in Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, sailing for England with the First Canadian Contingent on 3rd October, before embarking for France on 20th December.  In May 1915 he was awarded both the D.C.M. & the Croix de Guerre for his actions as part of a machine gun team on the Bellewaarde Ridge.  Transferring to 7th Canadian Machine Gun Company on 3rd September 1916 as an acting Company Sergeant Major, he would return to PPCLI in January 1917 as a temporary lieutenant.  On 30th October 1917, near Passchendaele, Hugh McKenzie, in charge of a section of four machine guns supporting an attack by the PPCLI, became aware that the troops of the nearest infantry company, having lost all its officers and most of its NCOs, were pinned down in the face of fire from a strongpoint containing several German machine guns.  McKenzie, taking charge of the infantry, proceeded to capture the strongpoint, which was itself covered by more machine guns sited in a nearby bunker.  Realising that the bunker could prove a serious obstacle the next part of the advance, he organised a frontal and flanking assault to capture it, and it was whilst leading the frontal, ultimately successful, attack, that Hugh McKenzie was killed.

Lieutenant Hugh McKenzie’s citation reads: “For most conspicuous bravery and leading when in charge of a section of four machine guns accompanying the infantry in an attack. Seeing that all the officers and most of the non-commissioned officers of an infantry company had become casualties, and that the men were hesitating before a nest of enemy machine guns, which were on commanding ground and causing them severe casualties, he handed over command of his guns to an N.C.O., rallied the infantry, organised an attack, and captured the strong point. Finding that the position was swept by machine-gun fire from a ‘ pill-box ‘ which dominated all the ground over which the troops were advancing, Lt. McKenzie made a reconnaissance and detailed flanking and frontal attacking parties which captured the ‘pill-box’, he himself being killed while leading the frontal attack. By his valour and leadership this gallant officer ensured the capture of these strong points and so saved the lives of many men and enabled the objectives to be attained.”

And last but not least, the only man on the Menin Gate who was awarded a V.C. in a conflict other than the Great War, and the highest ranking officer among the 54,000 plus names on the memorial, hence his being referred to, by fellow servicemen, as G.O.C. Menin Gate.  Charles FitzClarence was born on 8th May 1865 in County Kildare, Ireland, the son of a navy captain (his paternal grandfather was George FitzClarence, 1st Earl of Munster, an illegitimate son of William, Duke of Clarence, himself later King William IV).  Educated at Eton and Wellington College, an army career beckoned, initially, in November 1866, as a lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers.  He participated, as Adjutant of the Mounted Infantry, in Kitchener’s Egyptian campaign, and was promoted to captain in 1898 before being sent to South Africa the following year.  It was during the siege of Mafeking, at which time his bravery and fighting spirit earned him the epithet ‘The Demon’, that FitzClarence was awarded the V.C. for three separate acts of heroism.

On the 14th October, 1899, whilst besieged at Mafeking, he led his squadron of the Protectorate Regiment, many of whom were only partly trained and had never before been in action, to the assistance of an armoured train that had set out from Mafeking before encountering a large force of Boer troops.  Despite greatly inferior numbers, and at times being surrounded, FitzClarence and his men not only managed to relieve the train, but inflicted such serious casualties on the Boers, of whom some fifty were killed, that Boer tactics would change as a result of this action.  Two weeks later, on 27th October, FitzClarence led his men out on a night bayonet attack on the Boer trenches.  The first man to reach the enemy position, he personally killed four Boers with his sword, receiving a slight wound for his troubles, as the Boers were driven out with heavy losses.  On 26th December, during the action at Game Tree, near Mafeking, he once more showed great courage and coolness under fire despite being once again wounded, this time severely, in both legs.  He was presented with his Victoria Cross in October 1900 by another V.C. recipient, the Commander-in-Chief South Africa, Lord Frederick Roberts.  Returning to England and transferring to the newly formed Irish Guards, he was promoted to Brigade Major and, in 1909, given command of 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, followed by command of the regiment in 1913.

During the First Battle of Ypres, he took over command of 1st Guards Brigade in France from General Ivor Maxse, playing a major role in organising and leading the counterattack that restored the line at Gheluvelt at the end of October, and attempting likewise when his depleted brigade were attacked by a regiment of Prussian Guards on 11th November 1914 during the Battle of Nonne Bosschen, just to the west of Polygon Wood, the final German attempt to break the British lines during the last days of First Ypres.  Forced out of their front line, FitzClarence reorganised his men and halted the advance, and, determined to retake the lost trenches, returned to the rear to find men to replace his losses and launch a counterattack.  He was leading five hundred Grenadier & Irish Guards, along with some Royal Munster Fusiliers he had conscripted, back to the front lines when he was shot and killed by a German sniper.  His planned counterattack never took place.

Captain (later Brigadier General) Charles FitzClarence’s citation reads: “On the 14th October 1899, Captain Fitzclarence went with his squadron of the Protectorate Regiment, consisting of only partially trained men, who had never been in action, to the assistance of an armoured train which had gone out from Mafeking. The enemy were in greatly superior numbers, and the squadron was for a time surrounded, and it looked as if nothing could save them from being shot down. Captain Fitzclarence, however, by his personal coolness and courage inspired the greatest confidence in his men, and, by his bold and efficient handling of them, not only succeeded in relieving the armoured train, but inflicted a heavy defeat on the Boers, who lost 50 killed and a large number wounded. The moral effect of this blow had a very important bearing on subsequent encounters with the Boers.” “On the 27th October 1899, Captain Fitzclarence led his squadron from Mafeking across the open, and made a night attack with the bayonet on one of the enemy’s trenches. A hand-to-hand fight took place in the trench, while heavy fire was concentrated on it from the rear. The enemy was driven out with heavy loss. Captain Fitzclarence was the first man into the position and accounted for four of the enemy with his sword. The British lost 6 killed and 9 wounded. Captain Fitzclarence was himself slightly wounded. With reference to these two actions, Major-General Baden-Powell states that had his Officer not shown an extraordinary spirit and fearlessness the attacks would have been failures, and we should have suffered heavy loss both in men and prestige. On the 26th December 1899, during the action at Game Tree, near Mafeking, Captain Fitzclarence again distinguished himself by his coolness and courage, and was again wounded (severely through both legs).”

And to save you a lot of time should you ever visit the Menin Gate and wish to pay your respects to these eight men, here are the panels on which their names are to be found; if you’re wondering why I haven’t mentioned the official panel numbers it’s because, quite frankly, they are sometimes more confusing than helpful.

There are currently 54,613 names, according to the CWGC database, on the Menin Gate.  Remember them.