Victoria Crosses on the Western Front, 31st July 1917–6th November 1917, Second Edition: Third Ypres 1917

Front Cover
Casemate Publishers, Sep 30, 2016 - History - 576 pages
In the past, while visiting the First World War battlefields, the author often wondered where the various Victoria Cross actions took place. He resolved to find out. In 1988, in the midst of his army career, research for this book commenced and over the years numerous sources have been consulted. Victoria Crosses on the Western Front 1917 to Third Ypres is designed for the battlefield visitor as much as the armchair reader. A thorough account of each VC action is set within the wider strategic and tactical context. Detailed sketch maps show the area today, together with the battle-lines and movements of the combatants. It will allow visitors to stand upon the spot, or very close to, where each VC was won. Photographs of the battle sites richly illustrate the accounts. There is also a comprehensive biography for each recipient, covering every aspect of their lives warts and all parents and siblings, education, civilian employment, military career, wife and children, death and burial/commemoration. A host of other information, much of it published for the first time, reveals some fascinating characters, with numerous links to many famous people and events.
 

Selected pages

Contents

Pte Michael Heaviside 15 Durham Light Infantry 6 May 1917 Near
Master Maps
Pte Tom Dresser 7 Yorkshire 12 May 1917 Near Roeux France
Charles Pope 11 Battalion AIF 15 April 1917 Boursies France
2Lt George Cates 2 Rifle Brigade 8 March 1917 East of Bouchavesnes
Battle of Messines and Prelude to Third Ypres Master Maps
Battle of Vimy Ridge
Cpl John Cunningham 2 Leinster 12 April 1917 BoisenHache France
Capt David Hirsch 4 Yorkshire 23 April 1917 Near Wancourt France
Capt John Carroll 33 Battalion AIF 712 June 1917 St Yves Belgium
2Lt Frank Wearne 11 Essex 28 June 1917 East of Loos France
Biographies
Capt Percy Cherry 26 Battalion AIF 26 March 1917 Lagnicourt France
Pte Jorgen Jensen 50 Battalion AIF 2 April 1917 Noreuil France
Capt James Newland 12 Battalion AIF 815 April 1917 Boursies
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About the author (2016)

Paul Oldfield was born in Sheffield and was educated at Victoria College in Jersey. After serving in the Army for thirty-six years, he became a freelance battlefield guide (he is a badged member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides) and a historian. In 1988, he co-authored Sheffield City Battalion in the Pals series. Cockleshell Raid and Bruneval in Pen & Swords Battleground Europe series were published in 2013, and the first of nine books in the Victoria Crosses on the Western Front series in 2014.

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