Charles FitzClarence
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Brigadier General Charles FitzClarence VC (b. May 8, 1865, Bishopscourt, County Kildare - d. November 2, 1914) was 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.
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Charles FitzClarence was born in County Kildare, the son of Captain George FitzClarence and Maria Henrietta Scott. His paternal grandfather was George Augustus Frederick FitzClarence, 1st Earl of Munster, an illegitimate son of William, Duke of Clarence (later King William IV of the United Kingdom).
He was 34 years old, and a captain in The Royal Fusiliers, British Army during the South African War (Boer War) when the following deed took place, one of three separate acts of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
On 14 October 1899 near Mafeking, South Africa, Captain FitzClarence went with a partially-trained squadron to the assistance of an armoured train. The enemy was in greatly superior numbers and the squadron was, for a time, surrounded and in great danger. The captain, however, so inspired his men that not only was the train relieved, but a heavy defeat was inflicted on the Boers. On 27 October he led his squadron in a successful night attack and on 26 December he again distinguished himself, and was severely wounded.
He was transferred to the Irish Guards on that regiment's formation in October 1900. He became a Major in May 1904 and succeeded to the command of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards in July 1909.
He later achieved the rank of Brigadier General. He was killed in action, aged 49, at Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke, Belgium, on 12 November 1914 whilst commanding the 1st Guards Brigade.
He is the highest ranking officer enscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, commemorating those with no known grave. The present location of his medal is unknown.
[edit] Family
He had two children by his wife, the former Violet Spencer Churchill:
- Sir Edward Charles Fitzclarence, 6th Earl of Munster (b. 3 October 1899 - d. 19??)
- Joan Harriet Fitzclarence (b. 23 December 1901 - d. 19??)
[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 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
- "Elegant Extracts" - The Royal Fusiliers Recipients of the VC (J.P. Kelleher, 2001)
