George Burdon McKean
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George Burdon McKean VC, MC, MM (4 July 1888 – 28 November 1926) was a Canadian 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.
[edit] Details
He was 29 years old, and a lieutenant in the 14th (The Royal Montreal Regiment) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 27/28 April 1918 at the Gavrelle Sector, France, when Lieutenant McKean's party was held up at a block in the communication trench by intense fire, he ran into the open, leaping over the block head first on top of one of the enemy. Whilst lying there, he was attacked by another with a fixed bayonet. He shot both of these men, captured the position, then sent back for more bombs, and until they arrived he engaged the enemy single-handed. He then rushed a second block, killing two of the enemy, capturing four others, and driving the remainder into a dug-out, which he then destroyed.
He later achieved the rank of Captain. Grave/memorial at Buried at Brighton Extra-Mural Cemetery, Sussex, England. Ref. 41624.
His Victoria Cross is stored at the Canadian War Museum (Ottawa, Canada).
On September 6th, 2003, the Church Square of Cagnicourt, France, was renamed 'La Place George Burdon McKean' in his honour.
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - Spring Offensive 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 1997)
