Douglas Walter Belcher
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Douglas Walter Belcher (15 July 1889-3 June 1953) was an English 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.
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[edit] Details
He was 25 years old, and a Lance-Sergeant in the 1/5th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (The London Rifle Brigade), British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 13 May 1915, south of the Wieltje-St. Julien Road, Belgium, Lance-Sergeant Belcher was in charge of a portion of an advanced breastwork during continuous bombardment by the enemy. The lance-sergeant, with very few men, elected to remain and try to hold his position after the troops near him had been withdrawn, and with great skill he succeeded in his objective, opening rapid fire on the enemy, who were only 150-200 yards away, whenever he saw them collecting for an attack. This bold action prevented the enemy breaking through and averted an attack on the flank of one of our divisions.
[edit] Further information
He later achieved the rank of Captain.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets Museum (Winchester, England).
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - The Western Front 1915 (Peter F. Batchelor & Christopher Matson, 1999)
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Surrey)
