George Rowland Patrick Roupell
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George Rowland Patrick Roupell (VC, CB, Croix de Guerre (France), Order of St. George, 4th Class (Russia)) (7 April 1892 - 4 March 1974) was born in Tipperary and was by birth an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was 23 years old, and a lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 20 April 1915 at Hill 60, Belgium, Lieutenant Roupell was commanding a company which was being subjected to a most severe bombardment. Although wounded several times, he remained at his post and led his company in repelling a strong German assault. During a lull he had his wounds dressed but immediately returned to his trench which was again being fiercely bombarded. Towards evening he went back to battalion headquarters and fetched reinforcements, passing backwards and forwards over ground swept by heavy fire. With these reinforcements, he was able to hold his position throughout the night and until relieved next morning.
Served in the Second World War. He later achieved the rank of Brigadier. He died Shalford, Surrey, 4 March 1974.
[edit] References
Listed in order of publication year
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
- The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
- Irelands VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- VCs of the First World War - The Western Front 1915 (Peter F. Batchelor & Christopher Matson, 1999)
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Surrey)
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.