I was out walking the dogs recently and stopped to admire the war memorial outside St Margarets Church, Ifield, Kent (less than a mile away). I noticed that even though there were few names on it (not surprising considering such a small hamlet) there was one VC:

Thomas Riversdale Colyer Fergusson VC.

Although born in London his family were from Kent and Northampton, hence the regiment and the memorial.





Wiki entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_...lyer-Fergusson

Born in London on 18 February 1896 to Thomas Colyer Colyer Fergusson and the late Beatrice Stanley. He was 21 years old, and an acting captain in the 2nd Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment, British Army when performed the deed on 31 July 1917 at Bellewaarde, Belgium which earned him the Victoria Cross. He was shot dead by a sniper that day.

For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and determination in attack. The tactical situation having developed contrary to expectation, it was not possible for his company to adhere to the original plan of deployments, and owing to the difficulties of the ground and to enemy wire, Captain Colyer Fergusson found himself with a Serjeant and five men only. He carried out the attack nevertheless, and succeeded in capturing the enemy trench and disposing of the garrison. His party was then threatened by a heavy counter-attack from the left front, but this attack he successfully resisted. During this operation, assisted by his Orderly only, he attacked and captured an enemy machine gun and turned it on the assailants, many of whom were killed and a large number driven into the hands of an adjoining British unit. Later, assisted only by his Serjeant, he again attacked and captured a second enemy machine gun, by which time he had been joined by other portions of his company, and was enabled to consolidate his position. The conduct of this officer throughout forms an amazing record of dash, gallantry and skill, for which no reward can be too great, having regard to the importance of the position won. This gallant officer was shortly afterwards killed by a sniper.

—The London Gazette," No. 30272, dated 4 September 1917

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of The Northamptonshire Regiment (48th & 58th Foot), Northampton, England and he is buried in Menin Road South Military Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery.



Thought it might be nice (and educational) if you could put details of any VC memorial/grave near your home on this thread with pics and citation where possible.

Cheers, K13

Not so much a memorial, but Charles Jarvis VC is buried a couple of miles away from me in Cupar.

The original wooden cross from Colyer Fergusson's grave is in his family home: Ightham Mote, near Tonbridge. Tunbridge Wells has a memorial grove with one tree for each VC (15 I think) associated with the town.

Where about in the Kingdom do you live Axeman. I'm from Newburgh.

CTC

Originally Posted by oldnotbold

The original wooden cross from Colyer Fergusson's grave is in his family home: Ightham Mote, near Tonbridge. Tunbridge Wells has a memorial grove with one tree for each VC (15 I think) associated with the town.

Interesting! A long way from Ifield ... don't know what his connection is? Apparantly he is also listed on the memorial in Gravesend?

I notice also there is a Lt Gen Broadwood on the war memorial. Not often you get the Div Comd listed!

Originally Posted by Auld-Yin

I notice also there is a Lt Gen Broadwood on the war memorial. Not often you get the Div Comd listed!

Also an intersting character:

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

I've just learned that my local cemetery has the grave of former local postman Thomas Elsdon Ashford VC :

Thomas Ashford

He was the first man in the old county of Leicestershire to be awarded the Victoria Cross, and England's only postman entitled to wear the award. He won it for bravery during the Afghan Wars (1880 edition!) whilst serving as a private with the Royal Fusiliers.

His grave in Whitwick Cemetery remained unmarked until 1992 when the Whitwick Branch of the Royal British Legion arranged for a memorial to be erected.

Top work by the Legion!

Just found this site, which lists all the VC winners, and locations of burial and medal etc.

Interestingly, there are three in the same cemetary in Gillingham, and one in chatham that ive found so far.


Linky




Edited to add

Obviously, ive messed up, and that link is just the known Kent winners, if you click on "home" it gives you a list by area down the left hand side.

Glad to say that Guzz has its share of VC holders.

Some have been buried or lost at Sea.

Plymouth Graves
V.C. ......VICTORIA CROSS - ARMY- FROM THE CRIMEA
Captain Andrew Henry V.C., Royal Garrison Artillery, died at the Royal Citadel in Plymouth 14th. October 1870.

"he received the second victoria cross awarded to the royal regiment of artillery for successfully defending his gun at the battle of inkerman against heavy odds . although severely wounded for this action he was also commissioned in the field"

And one George Hinckley V.C. buried in Plymouth
George Hinckley V.C. died on December 31st. 1904
After winning his Victoria Cross in China in 1862 George Hinckley was invested with his VC by CinC Plymouth, Admiral Houston Stewart, at Devonport on the 7th July 1863. At the time Hinckley was serving as Quartermaster on HMS 'Royalist' and in November of the same year he reported the loss of his VC whilst attending a funeral in Plymouth. The War Office informed the Admiralty on the 23rd November 1863 that Hinckley's Cross would be replaced subject to the Admiralty being satisfied that conditions for replacement were complied with.
Hinckley died on the 31st December 1904 and was buried in Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth. His Victoria Cross surfaced when it was sold at auction on the 1st January 1925 for £43, and again on 19th July 1962 when it was bought by the respected medal dealer Baldwin's, who purchased the VC at a Glendining's auction for £440. The VC was engraved "GEORGE HINCKLEY, ABLE SEAMAN, 9TH, OCTR, 1862".

Three Devonians won the Victoria Cross in the First World War, rejoicing in the names of Veale, Sage and Onions.
http://www.victoriacrosssociety.com/sample_articles.htm

GRAVE LOCATION FOR HOLDERS OF THE VICTORIA CROSS
IN THE COUNTY OF : DEVONSHIRE
http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/devonshi.htm

Plymouth War Memorial
http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/warmemorials

Stonehouse Barracks Plymouth Memorial
Norman Augustus Finch, V.C.
Sergeant, Royal Marines
Joined Marines: 15th January 1908
Medal Won: 23rd April 1918, Zeebrugge, Belgium
Gazetted: 23rd July 1918
Born: 26th December 1890, Handsworth, Birmingham,
Died: 15th March 1966, St Mary's Hospital, Milton, Portsmouth, aged 75
Medal: Royal Marines Museum, Eastney [red ribbon] (Bequeathed to the Corps)
Details of the Award
Serjeant Finch was second-in-command of the pompoms and Lewis guns in the foretop of Vindictive, under Lieutenant Charles N. B. Rigby, R.M.A. At one period the Vindictive was being hit every few seconds, chiefly on the upper works, from which splinters caused many casualties. It was difficult to locate the guns which were doing the most damage, but Lieutenant Rigby, Serjeant Finch and the Marines in the foretop, kept up a continuous fire with pompoms and Lewis guns, changing rapidly from one target to another, and thus keeping the enemy's fire down to some considerable extent.
Unfortunately two heavy shells made direct hits on the foretop, which was completely exposed to enemy concentration of fire. All in the top were killed or disabled, except Sergeant Finch, who was, however, severely wounded; nevertheless he showed consummate bravery, remaining in his battered and exposed position. He once more got a Lewis gun into action, and kept up a continuous fire, harassing the enemy on the mole, until the foretop received another direct hit, the remainder of the armament being then completely put out of action. Before the top was destroyed Serjeant Finch had done invaluable work, and by his bravery undoubtedly saved many lives.
This very gallant serjeant of the Royal Marine Artillery was selected by the 4th Battalion of Royal Marines, who were mostly Royal Marine Light Infantry, to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant, dated 29th January 1856
A further 6 participants in the action also received the Victoria Cross by ballot.
A memorial plaque to Norman Finch was unveiled in St Andrews Church, Eastney on 23rd April 1967. The church has since been converted into housing and the memorial was removed to the Chapel in Stonehouse Barracks in Plymouth.Portsmouth City Council named a new road in Eastney after him.
An anchor from HMS Vindictive is on display in the Memorial Garden at the Royal Marines Museum.