My deep respects to these honorees, and to those whom they represent.


VC heroes mark 150 years of selfless bravery
By Ben Fenton
(Filed: 27/06/2006)

More than 2,000 people gathered at Westminster Abbey yesterday to celebrate the human qualities of courage, self-sacrifice and modesty.
Holders of the Victoria Cross
Surviving holders of the VC ranged in age from 89 to 26

The Prince of Wales led the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross, with eight of the surviving 12 holders of Britain's highest gallantry award given pride of place near the altar.

Ranging in age from 89 to 26, these special men all said that they merely represented the 1,343 other VCs who had died, either in the act of winning the medal, or since.

"We are just the ones fortunate enough to be recognised in this way, and who are still here," Sir Tasker Watkins, VC, said as he waited for the ceremony to begin.

A diminutive figure and an eminent judge who rose to become Deputy Chief Justice of England, Sir Tasker, 89, won his medal as a lieutenant of the 1/5th Bn, Welch Regiment in 1944 during the battle to close the Falaise Gap, leading his decimated platoon in repeated bayonet charges.

Next to him stood the ramrod figure of Pte Johnson Beharry, 26, scars still visible in his close-cropped hair.

Pte Beharry became the first man to be awarded the VC in 20 years when he was gazetted in 2005 for rescuing colleagues under fire, despite suffering heavy wounds at al-Amarah, Iraq, in 2004.

"It is wonderful for me to be able to listen to the stories of these men," he said, gesturing to the collection of stooped but fiercely proud figures who were busy renewing old comradeships all around him.

"Every man's actions were different and some don't like to talk about them much, but they all say the same thing: they didn't do it on their own," said the Grenada-born soldier who is receiving treatment for wounds he received with the Princess of Wales' Royal Regt.

"I couldn't have done what I did without my boys. I am just sad that they are out there now and I am still here."

The ceremony commemorated the work of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, founded 50 years ago on the centenary of the first VC's award.

And across the aisle from the eight Victoria Cross winners were 22 of the 24 living holders of the George Cross, the nation's highest award for those exhibiting gallantry away from an immediate field of battle.

Among them were Col Stuart Archer, 91, the chairman of the association, who won his GC for continuous acts of bravery in defusing enemy bombs in South Wales during 1940.

He was seated a few feet from L/Cpl Christopher Finney of the Blues and Royals, 20, who was awarded his GC for saving his comrade L/Cpl Alan Tudball from their armoured vehicle after they were attacked by mistake by an Allied aircraft in Iraq in March 2003.

"It's really cool being here but this is just a bit of metal and the real reward is that Alan is still alive and that last week he and his wife had a little boy," L/Cpl Finney said.

Listening to the stories of modern heroism in Iraq, Lt Cdr Ian Fraser, an 85-year-old submariner, said: "I would be out there like a shot, but only if I could take Blair and his whole government with me."

The quiet heroes swapped stories and bonhomie before the ceremonial, which was to be capped by a reception hosted by the prince at St James's Square.

"How do you keep looking so good?" one VC-wearing old soldier asked his Royal Navy buddy among the GCs.

"Guinness," replied the sailor, "that's my secret: lots of Guinness."

"I'm a Viagra man myself," laughed the soldier, his chest heaving so that those "bits of metal" tinkled merrily.

• The London home of Guy Gibson was marked yesterday by a blue plaque. Gibson, who lived in Aberdeen Place, Maida Vale, led the Dambusters raid, perhaps the best-known RAF operation of the Second World War. He won the VC for his role, prompting Churchill to call him "one of the most splendid of all our fighting men".

Gibson recalled the raids in Enemy Coast Ahead, written at the house. He died in action in 1944, aged 26.

25 June 2006: For Valour: the bravest of the brave gather to mark the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross


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Great story. Thanks for sharing.

Ian Fraser drove a midget submarine into Singapore Harbor to blow the stern off the Japanese cruiser Myoko, in 1945. Pretty snappy feat. Overshadowed by others, unfortunately.

Spoken like a true sailor!


Great story. My respect and admiration abounds....

A local hero

I got talking to a guy in a bar as he spotted a few war books that I had with me. Knowing my interest in History he asked me if I had heard of John Carmichael from Glenmavis who was awarded the VC. Glenmavis is about 2 miles from where I stay. I hadn't heard of the name, I was quite embarrassed actually. I was talking to his nephew and he told me the story.

On 8 September 1917 near Hill 60 Zwarteleen in Belgium, Sgt Carmichael spotted a grenade which was unearthed and started to burn. The following is the official citation.

"For most conspicious bravery. When excavating a trench, Sergeant Carmichael saw that a grenade had been unearthed and had started to burn. He immediately rushed to the spot, and shouting to his men to get clear, placed his steel helmet on the grenade and stood on the helmet. The grenade exploded and blew him out of the trench. Sergeant Carmichael could have thrown the grenade out of the trench, but he realised that by so doing, he would have endangered the lives of men working on top. By this splendid act of resource and self sacrifice, Sergeant Carmichael undoubtedly saved many men from injury, but it resulted in serious injury to himself."

His VC is displayed in the Staffordshire Regiment museum.

John Carmichael died 26 December 1977 aged 84 and is buried in Glenmavis churchyard.

Sgt Carmichael is in Lyn McDonald's They Called It Passchendaele. he was in the 9th North Staffords, and I've always been amazed by his story since I first read about it. Putting a tin-hat over a grenade and then standing on it! My God.

This is what he says, quoted from the book:



Carmichael had an injured arm and two shattered legs. In the hospital he had a visitor.



Later, he wrote home to his Mother. As Lyn MacDonald says "He didn't think it worth mentioning that he had won the Victoria Cross!"

There's a picture of him in the book, sat down with a walking stick, wearing his medal.

[quote name='BobFish' date='Jul 3 2006, 09:09 AM' post='171243']
Sgt Carmichael is in Lyn McDonald's They Called It Passchendaele.

Thanks Matt for the extra info and that's one book I will need to get. I will pass this on to his nephew. His nephew has been a guest of the Staffordshire Regiment and he is treated like royalty. The Regiment is very proud of the VC.

Ian

My uncle lives across the road from Glenmavis churchyard - I might go and do my nosy there one day.

My great-grandad was from Greengairs just up the road from Glenmavis and served in the army at Passchendaele, as did his brother, my great-great uncle. Their names were John and Leslie McCracken. I wonder if they served with John Carmichael? I imagine they would of known of him as Glenmavis and Greengairs are only about 2 miles apart.

My gran has a newspaper/magazine called 'The Men of Airdrie' listing all the men who served in WW1 along with their photos. I'll see if I can find it and try to find John Carmichaels photo - my papa and great-great uncle are both in it, so I would hope a VC holder would be as well!

Linda,

This is the link to the local church website which has a pic of John.

Ian

http://www.glenmavis.freeserve.co.uk/jcvc.htm

Thanks Ian for the link.

This was on the group website at work today and thought you might be interested.

News: VC pensioner honoured

A former colleague is one of just 12 surviving holders of the most prestigious award in the British honours systems. (06/07/07)



John Cruickshank, 86, is the RAF's last surviving holder of the Victoria Cross (VC) and was honoured at last week's Victoria Cross 150th celebrations at Westminster Abbey.

John worked in Edinburgh between 1978 and 1985 for North West Securities, which became Capital Bank and is now part of HBOS.


Incredible bravery
The VC is awarded to armed forces and civilians under military command for acts of extreme valour.

John's incredible bravery was in 1944. His plane came under intense enemy fire from a German U-boat. Despite having 72 wounds, many of them serious, he managed to sink the enemy craft and then, barely conscious, remained in control of his plane for an agonising five-and-a-half hours, determined to get his aircraft and surviving crew back to safety.






John told GroupNet: "My memories of that day are a bit shady. We were flying over northern waters when the attack came and dealt with it as we were trained to do. It was our job.


"It was a fine service at the Abbey. Unfortunately not everyone could attend as we are all becoming elderly and less mobile."


Read more about John's bravery.


FLYING OFFICER JOHN CRUICKSHANK, VC
ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
210 SQUADRON - COASTAL COMMAND


Flying Officer John Cruickshank, RAFVR, first flew operationally with Coastal Command in 210 Squadron in March 1943. It was not until 17th July 1944 and his 48th mission that he saw an enemy submarine. What then happened is described in his VC citation, gazetted on 1st September 1944.
In recognition of most conspicuous bravery. This officer was the captain and pilot of a Catalina flying boat which was recently engaged on an anti-submarine patrol over northern waters, close to the Artic Circle. When a U-boat was sighted on the surface, U-boat 347, Flying Officer Cruickshank at once turned to the attack. In the face of fierce anti-aircraft fire he manoeuvred into position and ran in to release his depth charges. Unfortunately, they failed to drop.

Flying Officer Cruickshank knew that the failure of this attack had deprived him of the advantage of surprise and that his aircraft offered a good target to the enemy's determined and now heartened gunners. Without hesitation, he climbed and turned to come in again. The Catalina was met by intense and accurate fire and was repeatedly hit. The navigator/bomb aimer was killed, the second pilot and two other members of the crew were injured. Flying Officer Cruickshank was struck in seventy-two places, receiving two serious wounds in the lungs and ten penetrating wounds in the lower limbs. His aircraft was badly damaged and filled with the fumes of exploding shells. But he did not falter. He pressed home his attack, and released the depth charges himself straddling the submarine perfectly, sinking U-347 immediately.

He then collapsed and the second pilot took over the controls. He recovered shortly afterwards and, though bleeding profusely, insisted on resuming command and retaining it until he was satisfied that the damaged aircraft was under control that a course had been set for base and that all the necessary signals had been sent. Only then would he consent to receive medical aid and have his wounds attended to. He refused morphia in case it might prevent him from carrying on.

During the next five and a half hours of the return flight he several times lapsed into unconsciousness owing to loss of blood. When he came to, his first thought on each occasion was for the safety of his aircraft and crew. The damaged aircraft eventually reached base but it was clear that an immediate landing would be a hazardous task for the wounded and less experienced second pilot. Although able to breath only with the greatest difficulty, Flying Officer Cruickshank insisted on being carried forward and propped up in the second pilot's seat. For a full hour, in spite of his agony and ever-increasing weakness, he gave orders as necessary, refusing to allow the aircraft to be brought down until the conditions of light and sea made this possible without undue risk. With his assistance the aircraft was safely landed on the water. He then directed the taxiing and beaching of the aircraft, so that it could easily be salvaged. When the medical officer went on board, Flying Officer Cruickshank collapsed and he had to be given a blood transfusion before he could be removed to hospital.

Even by the demanding standards of exploits worthy of VC consideration, John Cruickshank's skill, courage, fortitude and leadership were remarkable. A U-boat was difficult to hit, partly because it was a small target and also because its gunners were well trained. Only masterly flying by Cruickshank and his second pilot, Flight Sergeant Garnett, brought the aircraft down safely. Garnett was awarded the DFM. John Cruickshank is one of the few living Victoria Cross recipients.

Did Ted Kenna and Keith Payne make it from Australia?

Keith was the youngest VC recipient until Johnson Deharry won his in Iraq. Payne earned his hardware in Vietnam in 1969, saving American troops under enemy fire. The Yanks gave him the Silver Star.

Payne was delighted to hear about the latest VC...he said, "I'm too old to be the youngest VC recipient."