CITATION No. 3556

VICTORIA CROSS

Awarded 1st February, 1915 For conspicuous bravery at Cuinchy on the 1st February, 1915. When forming one of the storming party which advanced against the enemy's barricades he rushed to the front and himself killed five Germans who were holding the first barricade, after which he attacked a second barricade, about 60 yards further on, which he captured after killing three of the enemy and making prisoners of two more. Lance-Corporal O'Leary thus practically captured the enemy's position by himself, and prevented the rest of the attacking party from being fired upon.

CITATION No 7708

VICTORIA CROSS

Awarded 13th September 1917 for the most bravery when in command of 15 men forming two advanced posts. In spite of being surrounded by the enemy he held his post for ninety six hours, having no water and little food. On the morning of the fifth day a large force of enemy advanced to dislodge him. He ordered his men out of their shell holes and, takong the initative, attacked with great effect from a flank. Finding himself surrounded by superior numbers, he led back his men in a charge thriugh the enemy, and reached a stream which lay between the post and the line. Here he instructed his party to cross at once while he and Pte Woodcock remained to cover their retirement. When the whole of his force had gained the south west bank unscathed he himself crossed under a shower of bombs. It was due to the endurance, skill and devotion to duty shown by this Non Commissioned Officer that he was able to bring his entire force safely out of action.

CITATION No. 8387

VICTORIA CROSS

Awarded 13th September, 1917 For most conspicuous bravery and determination. He was one of a post commanded by L/Sgt. Moyney, which was surrounded. The post held out for ninety-six hours, but after that time was attacked from all sides in over whelming numbers and was forced to retire. Private Woodcock covered the retirement with a Lewis Gun, and only retired when the enemy had moved round and up to his post and were only a few yards away. He then crossed the river, but hearing cries for help behind him, returned and waded into the stream amid a shower of bombs from the enemy and rescued another member of the party. The latter he then carried across the open ground in broad daylight towards our front line regardless of machine gun fire that was opened on him.

Lieutenant (Acting Lt Col) J.N. Marshall M.C.(Attached 16th BN Lancashire Fusiliers)

VICTORIA CROSS (POSTHUMOUS)

Awarded 13th February, 1919 For most conspicuous bravery, determination and leadership in the attack on the Sambre-Oise Canal near Catillon on the 4th November 1918, when a partly constructed bridge came under concentrated fire and was broken before the advanced troops of his Battalion could cross. Lieutenant Colonel Marshall at once went forward and organised parties to repair the bridge. The first party were soon killed or wounded, but by personal example he inspired his command and volunteers were instantly forthcoming. Under intense fire and with complete disregard of his own safety, he stood on the bank encouraging his men and assisting in the work, and when the bridge was repaired, attempting to rush across at the head of his Battalion and was killed while doing so. The passage of the canal was of vital importance, and the gallantry displayed by all ranks was largely due to the inspiring example set by Lieutenant Colonel Marshall.

CITATION No. 2722925

1ST BATTALION VICTORIA CROSS

Awarded 17th AUGUST, 1943 THE BOU FEATURE dominates all ground east and west between Medjez El Bab and Tebourba. It was essential to the final assault on Tunis that this feature should be captured and held. A Guards Brigade assaulted and captured a portion of the Bou on the 27th April, 1943. The Irish Guards held on to points 212 and 214 on the western edge of the feature, which points the Germans frequently counter-attacked. While a further attack to capture the complete feature was being prepared, it was essential for the Irish Guards to hold on. They did so. On the 28th April 1943, the positions held by one company of the Irish Guards on the ridge between points 212 and 214 were about to be subjected to an attack by the enemy. Approximately one company of the enemy were seen forming up preparatory to attack and Lance-Corporal Kenneally decided that this was the right moment to attack them himself. Single-handed he charged down the bare forward slope straight at the main enemy body, firing his Bren gun from the hip as he did so. This outstanding act of gallantry and the dash with which it was executed completely unbalanced the enemy company, which broke up in disorder. Lance-Corporal Kenneally then returned to the crest further to harass their retreat. Lance-Corporal Kenneally repeated this remarkable exploit on the morning of the 30th April, 1943, when, accompanied by a sergeant of the Reconnaissance Corps, he again charged the enemy forming up for an assault. This time he so harassed the enemy, inflicting many casualties that this projected attack was frustrated. The enemy's strength was again about one company. It was only when he was noticed hopping from one fire position to another further to the left, in order to support another company, carrying his gun in one hand and supporting himself on a Guardsman with the other, that it was discovered he had been wounded. He refused to give up his Bren gun, claiming he was the only one who understood that gun, and continued to fight all through the day with great courage, devotion to duty and disregard for his own safety. The magnificent gallantry of this N.C.O. on these two occasions under heavy fire. His unfailing vigilance and remarkable accuracy were responsible for saving many valuable lives during the days and nights in the forward positions. His actions also played a considerable part in holding these positions and he influenced the whole course of the battle. His rapid appreciation of the situation, his initiative and his extraordinary gallantry in attacking single-handed a massed body of the enemy and breaking up an attack on two occasions, was an achievement that can seldom have been equalled. His courage in fighting all day when he was wounded was an inspiration to all ranks.

CITATION No. 2722614

VICTORIA CROSS (POSTHUMOUS)

Awarded 6TH February, 1946 ON THE MORNING of 21st April 1945, Guardsman Charlton was co-driver in one tank of a troop, which, with a platoon of infantry seized the village of Wistedt. Shortly afterwards, the enemy attacked this positions under cover of an artillery concentration and in great strength, comprising as it later transpired, a battalion of the 15th Panzer Grenadiers, supported by six self-propelled guns. All the tanks, including Guardsman Charlton's, were hit: the infantry were hard pressed and in danger of being over-run. Thereupon, entirely on his own initiative, Guardsman Charlton decided to counter-attack the enemy. Quickly recovering the Browning from his damaged tank, he advanced up the road in full view of the enemy, firing the browning from his hip. Such was the boldness of his attack and the intensity of his fire that he halted the leading enemy company, inflicting heavy casualties on them. This effort at the same time brought much needed relief to our own infantry. For ten minutes Guardsman Charlton fired in this manner, until wounded in the left arm. Immediately despite intense enemy fire, he mounted his machine gun on a near by fence which he used to support his wounded left arm. He stood firing thus for a further ten minutes until he was again hit in the left arm, which fell away shattered and useless. Although twice wounded and suffering from loss of blood, Guardsman Charlton again lifted his machine gun on to the fence, now having only one arm with which to fire and reload. Nevertheless, he still continued to inflict casualties on the enemy, until finally he was hit for the third time and collapsed. He died later of his wounds, in enemy hands. The heroism and determination of this Guardsman in his self-imposed task were beyond all praise. Even his German captors were amazed at his valour. Guardsman Charlton's courageous and self sacrificing action not only inflicted extremely heavy casualties on the enemy and retrieved his comrades from a desperate situation, but also enabled the position to be speedily recaptured.

THIS WAS THE LAST VICTORIA CROSS AWARDED FOR WORLD WAR II