George Jarratt
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George Jarratt VC (July 20, 1891 - May 3, 1917) 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.
Jarrett was awarded the VC for a deed which took place when he was 25 years old and a corporal in the 8th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers, British Army during the First World War. On 3 May 1917 near Pelves, France, Corporal Jarratt had, together with some wounded men, been taken prisoner and placed under guard in a dug-out. The same evening the enemy were driven back by British troops and the leading infantry started to bomb the dug-outs. A grenade fell in the dug-out and without hesitation Corporal Jarratt put both feet on it and the subsequent explosion blew off both his legs. The wounded were later safely removed to Allied lines, but Corporal Jarratt died before he could be removed.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Fusiliers Museum (Tower of London, England).
[edit] References
- "Elegant Extracts" - The Royal Fusiliers Recipients of the VC (J.P. Kelleher, 2001)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
