Useful

**scoobydont** · 07-06-2009, 20:44

Doh. I have just seen who first posted to this thread, I will talk to you next time I see you K13, in the mean time try looking up Harden VC, originally from Northfleet.

**Ventress** · 07-06-2009, 20:59

Probably the most decorated RAMC Officer, buried near Chichester.

**k13eod** · 07-06-2009, 21:18

Originally Posted by scoobydont

Doh. I have just seen who first posted to this thread, I will talk to you next time I see you K13, in the mean time try looking up Harden VC, originally from Northfleet.

Will do mate ... see you Tuesday :D

**out@last** · 07-06-2009, 21:21

Any tips on finding out what they did to win the vc?

Frederick Corbett (real name David Embleton) is buried near me. Typical Essex boy...footnote on the vc site says "Forfeit of VC in 1884 for theft" :( Doesn't detract from the bravery it took to win it though.

**Gremlin** · 07-06-2009, 21:23

Originally Posted by Jacob1650

Stanlake, VC.

We have a Coldstream VC grave in Camberwell old cemetry, South East London.

3968 Pte William Stanlake ( Stanlack, Stanlock ) VC, DCM.

Cheers; just round the corner from me, so mental note made to pop in and have a look.

Likewise the 4 in Dover, near to where I were dragged up like!

**blobmeister** · 07-06-2009, 21:49

Got this one in the bag.....
Arthur Martin-Leake VC and Bar.

Buried at Hertford, Hertfordshire.

Linky

**stickybomb** · 07-06-2009, 22:00

Originally Posted by out@last

Any tips on finding out what they did to win the vc?

Frederick Corbett (real name David Embleton) is buried near me. Typical Essex boy...footnote on the vc site says "Forfeit of VC in 1884 for theft" :( Doesn't detract from the bravery it took to win it though.

Corbett was a Private in the 3rd Bn KRRC. He earned his VC in Egypt on 5 Aug 1882. During the reconnaissance of Kafir Dowar his officer Lt Howard-Vyse was struck and mortally wounded. Corbett stayed by him attempting to stem the flow of blood until relieved. All the while he was subject to fierce fire. His name was erased from the VC Roll and his medal confiscated after his conviction for embezzlement and theft from an officer in 1884.His name was restored along with seven others after George V revoked the forfeit clause in 1920.

Symbol of Courage by Max Arthur (Pan Books).

**k13eod** · 10-06-2009, 13:48

Originally Posted by scoobydont

Doh. I have just seen who first posted to this thread, I will talk to you next time I see you K13, in the mean time try looking up Harden VC, originally from Northfleet.

Cheers Scoobs ...

Eric Harden was born on 23 February 1912 in Northfleet, Kent, the seventh son of a family of eight. Educated in Northfleet he was an enthusiastic sportsman, excelling at swimming, tennis and football. He was also a keen musician and played the violin. He started working in his brother-in-law's butcher's shop when he was ten, and took the shop over when his brother-in-law died.

Harden's medical interests started early when he joined the St John Ambulance Brigade, in which he rose to the rank of Sergeant.
In 1942 he was conscripted and joined the Royal Artillery, but his medical experience caused him to be transferred to the RAMC. Here he served with a Field Ambulance, but the inactivity of home service resulted in his volunteering for the Commandos, and it was as a Troop Medical Orderly with 45 Royal Marine Commandos that LCpl Harden carried out that act of valour, which was to be recognised with the award of the Victoria Cross.

On the morning of 23 January 1945 the 'A' Troop to which LCpl Harden was attached was ordered to attack the railway station at the village of Brachterbeek in Holland. Whilst moving towards that objective one Section of the Troop was caught in the open by heavy machine gun fire, followed by mortar and artillery. Three marines fell wounded and Harden ran across the 100 yards of open ground, gave his comrades first aid, and carrying one marine on his back brought him to safety. Harden was slightly wounded in this act, but he insisted upon going out again to rescue the others. With two stretcher bearers, another casualty was brought out but was hit again and killed. The NCO and the stretcher bearers then returned to collect the third injured man, and in so doing LCpl Harden was killed. The remainder of the stretcher party reached safety.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Eric_Harden

Lance-Corporal Harden's final resting place is in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery at Nederweert, Limburg, Holland.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum (Aldershot, England).

**k13eod** · 11-06-2009, 09:14

Ifyou find yourself in Mereworth Woods, Kent, then worth a quick trip into the village (St Lawrenceâ€™s Churchyard) to visit the grave of Charles Lucas who can claim to be the first VC (although not the first awarded):

http://www.victoriacrosssociety.com/sample_articles.htm

**Jacob1650** · 27-01-2012, 23:59

Originally Posted by Jacob1650

Stanlake, VC.

We have a Coldstream VC grave in Camberwell old cemetry, South East London.

3968 Pte William Stanlake ( Stanlack, Stanlock ) VC, DCM.

Update on this. The Coldstream Guards Association, London Branch, successfully bid for funds to have this headstone and grave plot repaired and reset. It is planned to have a rededication service in March 2012.

If anyone wants details, please pm for date, time, loc.