Victoria Cross Winners - The RCR

[Tim Robinson]

Victoria Cross Winners

http://www.theroyalcanadianregiment.ca/honours_awards/01_victoria_cross.htm

(1)   Lieutenant Frederick William Campbell, 1st Canadian Infantry Regiment CEF, perpetuated by The RCR:

 "For most conspicuous bravery on 15 June 1915 during the action at Givenchy. Lieutenant Campbell took two machine guns over the parapet, arrived at the German first line with one gun, and maintained his position there under very heavy rifle, machine gun and bomb fire, notwithstanding the fact that almost the whole of his detachment had been killed or wounded. When the supply of bombs had become exhausted, this officer advanced his gun still further to an exposed position, and by firing about 1,000 rounds, succeeded in holding back the enemy's counter-attack. This very gallant officer was subsequently wounded, and has since died."
 
(2)   Lieutenant Milton Fowler Gregg, The RCR

 "For most conspicuous bravery and initiative during the operation near Cambrai 27 September to 1 October 1918. On 28 September, when the advance of the Brigade was held up by fire from both flanks and by thick, uncut wire, he crawled forward alone and explored the wire until he found a small gap through which he subsequently led his men and forced an entry into the enemy trench. The enemy counter-attacked in force, and, through lack of bombs, the situation became critical. Although wounded, Lieutenant Gregg returned under terrific fire and collected a further supply. Then, rejoining his party, which by this time was much reduced in numbers, and in spite of a second wound, he reorganized and led them with the greatest determination against enemy trenches, which he finally cleared. He personally killed or wounded 11 of the enemy and took 25 prisoners, in addition to 12 machine guns captured in this trench. Remaining with his company in spite of wounds, he again on 30 September, led his men in attack until severely wounded. The outstanding valour of this officer saved many casualties and enabled the advance to continue."

[Mike Blais]

What is the situation on the VC that was stolen from the musuem? Has it been recovered yet?

[Tim Robinson]

It was never recovered unfortunately. A "real" replacement was presented to the Regiment. It remains in a secure location.

[Mike Blais]

We must find a way to keep this in the news on a periodic basis until the medal has been recovered. I am going to do some research, write an editorial and see if I can get published. 

[Michael OLeary]

We must find a way to keep this in the news on a periodic basis until the medal has been recovered. I am going to do some research, write an editorial and see if I can get published. 

There is one very important issue that must be kept in mind.  Unless my information is wrong, an insurance claim was paid out on those medals and the Regiment will not have first claim to them.  That will go to the insurer, and the medals will then likely go to auction.  If they are to return to the Regiment, the Regiment will have to be prepared to purchase them.

As a starting point to estimating a possible price, VC auction results can be found here - http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/aaauctio.htm - but I suspect none of those listed was anywhere near as attractive as Gregg's medal group.

For an initial comparison, look at Captain Alfred Shout's VC MC group which sold in 2006 for £406,716 = $737,736 Cdn.

[Michael OLeary]

For some interesting additional information on Milton Gregg's VC, see this letter by Lieut.-Col. G.B. Topp, 42nd Cdn. Inf. Bn. regarding his recommendation of the Victoria Cross for Lieut. Milton F. Gregg.

http://regimentalrogue.com/rcr_great_war/1918_09_sep_app0.html

Although written in 1936, a copy of the letter was included in the Regiment's War Diary files for September 1918.

[Mike Blais]

Excellent reading, Mike. Thanks. How is civvy life treating you?

[Michael OLeary]

Excellent reading, Mike. Thanks. How is civvy life treating you?

Very well.  And I'm only a part-time civvie, I still wear the eight-pointed star to parade with the 4th Battalion.

[Mike Blais]

Excellent! Soldier on!

[wheels]

Good Evening Tim

I was looking up Lieut FW Campbell, VC after reading your post that he is one of the two Victoria Cross awardees that the Regiment has. What struck me was a remembrance that Lieut Campbell had been promoted Captain.

I first noticed his rank of Captain on an Ontario Historical Plaque in front of the Royal Canadian Legion in Mount Forest, Ontario, and I decided to confirm it.

The London Gazette confirmed that Lieut Campbell was promoted to Temporary Captain in Volume I of the 1916 London Gazette. The reference is as follows, LG 1916, Vol I, Issue Number 29440, page 713 (7 of 12). the wording in the LG is as follows :
          “Lieut FW Campbell, VC, (since died of his wounds received in action) to be temporary Captain. Dated 23 April 1915.”

There is also a note in his Service File written on his Casualty Form - Active Service, Form B. 103. Dated 20 Aug 1915. This also noted that the promotion was back dated to 23 Apr 1915.

Will the Regimental record be corrected to acknowledge this ?

atb   via con Dios
John

[wheels]

I just noticed that even his gravestone, in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Plot II, Row A, Grave 24,
(on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website) shows his rank as Captain.

atb   via con Dios
John

[wheels]

Doing a little research on Lieut Frederick William Campbell, VC, I was surprised to find out that he had a connection to the Regiment.

Most people simply believe he only saw service with the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF, during the 1st World War, and that he died earning the Victoria Cross on 15 Jun 1915.

His attestation papers that he signed when joining the Canadian Expeditionary Force, in 1914, shows him joining the CEF from the 30th Wellington Battalion of Rifles (disbanded 15 Dec 1936), as a Lieutenant. He was was 47 years old when he signed up and barely made it, as the upper age limit was 48.

Earlier (in 1899) he joined the 2nd (Special Service) Bn, The Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry and served with the Regiment throughout the Regiment's service in South Africa.
When he was discharged from the Regiment, in 1900, he was presented with the Queen"s South Africa Medal with the following 4 clasps; "Paardeberg"; "Dreifontein"; "Johannesberg" and "Cape Colony".
He had served with the Machine Gun Section of the Regiment.

So, although he did not earn the VC with the Regiment,  Lieut Campbell was an ex RCR.

Pro Patria

vaya con Dios

John

Source : 1 - Library & Archives Canada, Soldiers of the South African War 1899-1902. Reference : RG 38, A-1-a, Volume 16.
                   Microfilm Reel Number : T-2064.
              2 - Soldiers of the South African War (1899 - 1902); Medal Registers on the Library and Archives Canada website.

[ed meecham]

I was always of the opinion thay Capt.Cambell V.C. was with the Western Ontario Regt.now perpetuated with 4 R.C.R. as was my grandfather.morrtally wounded in Farbus woods,Vimy Ridge.He succumbed to his wounds in Boulogne field hospital Friday,27th Apr.Age 39 with 8 kids.He is also buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery,Pas de Calais France.I believe also my grandfather was 1.s all the way,like 1st dIv,1st Bde,!st Bn.etc. Although I never knew him as I was born in 1931 to his oldest son also ww1,ww2 Vet,Iam very interested in these posts as I learn more everytime I read them.I believe my grandfather and Dad had originally signed up with the 162nd. Parry Sound machine gun Bn.Did have one large pic of them Camped at Niagara on the Lake before going over in ww1,but believe one of my kids or the Legion now has that pic.Anyhow thanks for your posts and your thoughts as I find them most interesting.
                                                Ed Meecham Sgt 1 R.C.R. (Ret.)

[wheels]

Ed

1st Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF was sub-titled as '(Western Ontario Regiment)', as it's original members were drawn from Units based in South-Western Ontario.
Incidentally the 1st Bn was originally number as the '5th Bn' (22 Aug 1914), and renumbered on 02 Sep 1914.

vaya con Dios

John

Source : Valcartier Camp Order No 241 of 2nd September 1914 (found in Hist of Cdn For in WW I; Col AF Duguid (1938) Chap 2, pages 60-62 and Appendix 83 and 85).

[ed meecham]

John
         Thank you for your up-date and my lesson in history.As i have mentioned i,am immensly intrigued in our past and thank all who keep us informed of it.

                                                                  Pro Patria
                                                                       Ed