James Rogers (VC)

For other people named James Rogers, see James Rogers (disambiguation).
James Rogers

Lt James Rogers, VC
Born 2 June 1875(1875-06-02)
Echuca, Victoria, Australia
Died 28 October 1961(1961-10-28) (aged 86)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Allegiance Commonwealth of Australia
Service/branch Australian Army
Years of service 1899 – 1902
1914 – 1916
Rank Lieutenant
Battles/wars

Second Boer War First World War
Awards Victoria Cross
Mentioned in Despatches
Other work Farmer

James Rogers VC (2 June 1875 – 28 October 1961) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Contents

Early life

James Rogers was born on 2 June 1875[1] in Echuca, Victoria.[2]

Military service

When Rogers was 26 years old, and a sergeant in the South African Constabulary, South African Forces during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 15 June 1901, at Thaba 'Nchu, South Africa, during a skirmish, a party of the rearguard, consisting of a lieutenant, Sergeant Rogers and six men, was attacked by about 60 Boers. When the lieutenant's horse was shot, Sergeant Rogers rode back, took the lieutenant up behind and carried him for half a mile on his own horse. The sergeant then returned to within 400 yards of the enemy and rescued two other men who had lost their horses. Afterwards, he caught two horses and helped their owners to remount. This was done under heavy fire. The Boers were near enough to Sergeant Rogers to call upon him to surrender; his only answer was to continue firing.[3]

Rogers went on to serve with the 6th Battalion Commonwealth Horse in South Africa, and later as a Lieutenant in the First World War.[1] He was wounded at Anzac Cove (Gallipoli), and returned medically unfit to Australia.[1]

Later life

James Rogers died on 28 October 1961, in Sydney. He was buried in Springvale Cemetery, Victoria. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.

Honours and awards

Ribbon Description Notes
Victoria Cross (VC) gazetted 1902[3][4]
Queen's South Africa Medal with 3 clasps: CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE, and SOUTH AFRICA 1901
King's South Africa Medal with 2 clasps: SOUTH AFRICA 1901 and SOUTH AFRICA 1902
1914-15 Star[1]
British War Medal[1]
Victory Medal[1]
King George VI Coronation Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Service Record of ROGERS James". National Archives of Australia. http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/ItemDetail.asp?M=0&B=4028781. Retrieved 2009-03-20. 
  2. ^ "Boer War Enlistment Paper for ROGERS James". National Archives of Australia. http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/ItemDetail.asp?M=0&B=686553. Retrieved 2009-03-20. 
  3. ^ a b London Gazette: no. 27426. p. 2600. 18 April 1902. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  4. ^ "Award of VC - James Rogers". It's An Honour (Australian Government). http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1112527&search_type=advanced&showInd=true. Retrieved 2009-03-20. 

External links