Royal Northumberland Fusiliers

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Northumberland Fusiliers
Active 1674 - 1968
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
Type Line Infantry
Size 2 , Regular Battalions
  • 57 , World War One
  • 8 , World War Two
Garrison/HQ Alnwick
Nickname The Fighting 5th , 5th of Foot
Motto Quo Fata Vocant = Whither the Fates call
Anniversaries St Georges Day 23rd April
Insignia
Hackle Red over White
It has been suggested that 5th Regiment of Foot be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards.
Please improve this article if you can. (March 2008)

The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers was one of England's premier county regiments and can trace its ancestry back to the year 1674.When first raised it was part of the Dutch Service and known as the Irish Regiment, or Viscount Clare's Regiment. Until 1751, like most other regiments, it was known successively by the names of the colonels who commanded them at the time. The Regiment was transferred to the British Service in 1689. From 5 June 1685 its order of precedence was the 5th Regiment of the Line. It was not until 1 July 1751 that it was designated by that number as the "5th Regiment of Foot" when the system of naming regiments after their Colonels was dropped. As a fusilier regiment, it wears a hackle, which in this case is red over white. This distinction was originally a white plume which His Majesty's Fifth Regiment of Foot had taken from the head dress of fallen French troops at St. Lucia in December 1778. The Fifth Regiment of Foot became His Majesty's Fifth (Northumberland) Regiment of Foot with the county affiliations of 1782. In 1829 King George IV ordered the white plume to be worn by all infantry regiments, and in order not to take away from the Fifth (Northumberland) Regiment of Foot's battle honour, their plume was distinguished by being made red over white. This came from the legend that the men of the Fifth ( Northumberland) Regiment of Foot having dipped the white plumes in the blood of the French at St. Lucia.

On 4 May 1836 it became a fusilier regiment and was redesignated as the 5th (Northumberland Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot. With the Cardwell reforms of 1881, the regiment was linked with the county on 1 July 1881, as the Northumberland Fusiliers with the general loss of numbering.

Regular battalions continued for many years afterwards to refer to themselves as the "Fifth Fusiliers" unofficially .On 3 June 1935, the regiment was given the prefix "Royal". With the British Army reforms of the late 1960s forming large regiments, it was merged with other regiments and became the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers on St George's Day, 23 April 1968.

To this day, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers continues to wear some of the insignia of the four county regiments from which it was formed and to honour their traditions and carry their battle honours.

Contents

[edit] Battalions

As with all the Line Infantry Regiments in peace time there were two Battalions , this changed in World War 1 (The Great War)

[edit] The Boer War

Battles The Northumberland Fusiliers were involved in;

[edit] The Great War

The Northumberland Fusiliers raised 52 Battalions , 29 served overseas

[edit] 1st Battalion

9th Brigade , 3rd Infantry Division

[edit] 2nd Battalion

  • August 1914 : in Sabathu, India. Returned to England 22 December 1914. Joined 84th Brigade, 28th Division. June 1918 : left Brigade and moved to France. Joined 150th Brigade, 50th Division.

Western Front
Battle of Gravenstafel
Battle of St.Julien
Battle of Frezenberg
Battle of Bellewaarde
Battle of Loos
Balkans Campaign
Battle of Doiran

[edit] 3rd Battalion

Remained in the UK

[edit] 1/4 Battalion

1915 :Brigade became 149th Brigade , 50th Division. 15 July 1918 : reduced to cadre strength and transferred to Lines of Communication. 16 August 1918 : transferred to 118th Brigade, 39th Division. 10 November1918 : disbanded in France.

Second Battle of Ypres
Battle of the Somme (1916)
Battle of Arras
Third Battle of Ypres

[edit] 1/5 Battalion

1915 - 149th Brigade , 50th Division. 15 July 1918 : reduced to cadre strength and transferred to Lines of Communication. 16 August 1918 : transferred to 118th Brigade, 39th Division. 10 November 1918 : disbanded in France

Second Battle of Ypres
Battle of the Somme (1916)
Battle of Arras
Third Battle of Ypres

[edit] 1/6 Battalion

1915 : 149th Brigade 50th Division. 15 July 1918 : reduced to cadre strength and transferred to Lines of Communication. 16 August 1918 : transferred to 118th Brigade, 39th Division. 10 November 1918 : disbanded in France.

Second Battle of Ypres
Battle of the Somme (1916)
Battle of Arras
Third Battle of Ypres

[edit] 1/7 Battalion

1915 , 149th Brigade, 50th Division. 12 February 1918 : transferred to 42nd Division as Pioneers.

Second Battle of Ypres
Battle of the Somme (1916)
Battle of Arras
Third Battle of Ypres

[edit] 2/4th, 2/5th and 2/6th Battalions

24th and 2/5th formed , November 1914, and 2/6th , December 1914. January 1915 :attached to 188th Brigade, original 63rd Division. July 1916, Division broken up. November 1916 :attached to 217th Brigade, 72nd Division. December 1917, 2/6th and 2/5th disbanded in England, 2/4th May 1918 2/4th same.

[edit] 2/7th Battalion

1915 :attached to 188th Brigade, original 63rd Division. July 1916, Division broken up. January 1917 : moved to Egypt as a Garrison Bn

[edit] 3/4th, 3/5th, 3/6th and 3/7th Battalions

Formed June 1915, became Reserve Bns April 1916. September 1916 : 3/4th absorbed the others.

[edit] 35th Battalion

1917, the 21st Provisional Bn became 35th Bn TF. The 41st was formed from Home Service personnel from the TF Bns of the regiment.

[edit] 36th Battalion

1 January 1917, the 22nd Provisional Bn became 36th Bn TF. The 41st was formed from Home Service personnel from the TF Bns of the regiment. Went to France in May, 1915 : then attached to 178rd Brigade, 59th Division.


[edit] New Armies

[edit] 8th Battalion

attached to , 34th Brigade , 11th (Northern) Division Battle of Gallipoli
Battle of Sari Bair

[edit] 9th Battalion , Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry

$52th Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. 3 August 1917 : transferred to 104th Brigade, 34th Division. 25 September 1917 : absorbed the 2/1st Northumberland Yeomanry and became the 9th (Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry) Bn. 26 May 1918 : transferred to 183rd Brigade, 61st Division.

Battle of the Somme (1916)
Third Battle of Ypres
Battle of Epehy

[edit] 9th Battalions

attached to 52th Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. 3 August 1917 : transferred to 104th Brigade, 34th Division. 25 September 1917 : absorbed the 2/1st Northumberland Yeomanry and became the 9th (Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry) Bn. 26 May 1918 : transferred to 183rd Brigade, 61st Division Battle of the Somme
Battle of Albert
Battle of Bazentin Ridge
Battle of Pozières
Battle of Flers-Courcelette
Battle of Morval
Battle of Le Transloy
Battle of Messines
Third Battle of Ypres
Battle of Vittorio Veneto

[edit] 10th Battalion

Formed at Newcastle, September 1914, as part of K3. September 1914 : attached to 68th Brigade, 23rd Division.

[edit] 11th Battalion

Formed at Newcastle, September 1914, as part of K3. September 1914 : attached to 68th Brigade, 23rd Division.

[edit] 12th & 13th Battalions

Battle of Loos
Battle of the Somme (1916)
Battle of Albert
Battle of Epehy

[edit] 14th Battalion

Battle of Loos
Battle of the Somme (1916)
Battle of Albert
Battle of Epehy

[edit] 15th Battalion

1914 : attached to 89th Brigade, 30th Division. April 1915 : became a second Reserve battalion (after the 3rd Bn). September 1916 : absorbed into Training Reserve battalions of 1st Reserve Brigade.

[edit] 16th & 17th Battalions

16th Battalion - (Newcastle Commercials Pals Battalion) , 96th Brigade , 32nd Division 17th Battalion - (Newcastle Railway Pals Battalion) , Divisional Troops , 32nd Division

Battle of the Somme
Battle of Albert
Battle of Amiens

[edit] 18th Battalion

1915 : became a Pioneer Bn. 16 June 1915 : attached as Divisional Troops to 34th Division. 8 May 1918 : reduced to cadre strength. 17 June 1918 : transferred as infantry to 116th Brigade , 39th Division. 29 July 1918 : transferred to 118th Brigade , 39th Division. 29 July 1918 : transferred as Divisional Troops to 66th Division. 20 September 1918 : transferred with 197th Brigade to Lines of Communication.

[edit] 19th Battalion

Formed at Newcastle, 11 November 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City. 8 February 1915 : became a Pioneer Bn. July 1915 : attached as Divisional Troops to 35th Division.

[edit] Tynside Scottish Battalions 20th , 21st , 22nd , 23rd

102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade, 34th Division

The brigade suffered the worst losses of any brigade on 1 July (the Tyneside Irish Brigade had the next worst tally of casualties). The 4th Tyneside Scottish battalion lost 629 men (19 officers and 610 other ranks), the third worst battalion loss of the day. The 1st Tyneside Scottish lost 584 men and the 3rd Tyneside Scottish lost 537 men. All four battalion commanders were killed (the 2nd Tyneside Scottish's commander had been killed shortly before the battle).

The brigade's losses on 1 July were so severe that on 6 July it, along with the Tyneside Irish Brigade, was transferred to the 37th Division, swapping with the 111th Brigade. The two brigades returned to the 34th Division on 22 August.

Battle of the Somme (1916)

[edit] Tyneside Irish Battalions 24th , 25th , 26th , 27th

103rd (Tyneside Irish) Brigade 34th Division

The advance of the Tyneside Irish Brigade of the 34th Division, which started nearly one mile from the German front line, in full view of the defenders' machine guns, and was effectively wiped out before it reached its own friendly forward trench line.

Battle of the Somme (1916)

[edit] 28th (Reserve) Battalion

September 1916 : absorbed into Training Reserve Bns, in 19th Reserve Brigade.

[edit] 29th (Reserve) Battalion (Tyneside Scottish)

September 1916 :became 84th Training Reserve Bn, in 20th Reserve Brigade.

[edit] 30th (Reserve) Battalion (Tyneside Irish)

September 1916 :became 85th Training Reserve Bn, in 20th Reserve Brigade

[edit] 31st (Reserve) Battalion

September 1916 : absorbed into Training Reserve Bns, in 19th Reserve Brigade.

[edit] 32nd (Reserve) Battalion

September 1916 :became 80th Training Reserve Bn, in 19th Reserve Brigade.

[edit] 33rd (Reserve) Battalion (Tyneside Scottish)

September 1916 :absorbed into Training Reserve Bns, in 20th Reserve Brigade

[edit] 34th (Reserve) Battalion (Tyneside Irish)

Formed from the 30th (Reserve) Bn. 1916 :absorbed into Training Reserve Bns, in 20th Reserve Brigade.


[edit] 37th (Home Service) Battalion

Formed April 1918.


[edit] 38th Battalion

Formed June 1918 and absorbed by 22nd Bn less than three weeks later

[edit] 1st (Garrison) Battalion

Formed in August 1915 and went to Malta

[edit] 2nd (Garrison) Battalion

Formed in October 1915 and went to India in February 1916

[edit] 3rd (Home Service) (Garrison) Battalion

Formed in March 1916 and went to Ireland

  • The 12th & 13th ,Battalions , Amalgamated in 1917
  • The 24th & 27th ,Battalions , Amalgamated in 1917 as the 24th/27th Battalion

[edit] World War Two

Battlefield of Keren.
Battlefield of Keren.

[edit] 1st Machine Gun Battalion

4th Indian Infantry Division 1940 Operation Compass , Sidi Barrani , (North Africa) , 1941 , battles at Keren , (Eritrea) . Returned to Egypt with the division split 5th Indian Brigade ,inolved in the advance on Damascus , the rest of the Division involved in the fighting that centered abound Tobruk , fron June 1941 returned to Syria For most of this period the Division was dispersed with units temporarily attached to other formations much to the disgust of Major General Francis Tuker who assumed command of the Division in December 1941. Notable at this time was the break-out at the end of January by 7 Brigade, having been cut off at Benghazi during the Germans' counter-offensive from Agheila and moving 200 miles avoiding the enemy to rejoin the 8th Army.

Early in April 1942 the Division was dispersed with 7 Brigade going to Cyprus, 5 Brigade to Syria, 11 Brigade to the Suez Canal Zone for training and the Central India Horse to Iraq after a period of training. By May 1942 11 Brigade was back in the fighting at Tobruk (attached to 5th Indian Infantry Division). 11th Brigade was caught in the siege of Tobruk which fell on 21 June, and so disappeared from the order of battle for the next 18 months. 5th Brigade was rushed to the desert in June 1942 - after escaping from Mersa Matruh, the brigade held the vital Ruweisat Ridge at Alamein in the fighting of July-August 1942. Shortly before the second battle of Alamein in October 1942 the 4th Indian Division was back together again with the 7th Brigade returning from Cyprus and 161st Brigade attached (until December 1942) to fill the gap of the over-run 11th Brigade. The Division had a relatively subsidiary role in the battle, holding in stiff fighting, as a diversionary tactic, the Ruweisat Ridge which was at the centre of the Allied front whilst the breakthrough was planned further North.

March 1943 it fought with distinction through to the fall of Tunis in May 1943 gaining a particular reputation for its prowess in mountainous country. The Division had the honour of capturing General von Arnim in Tunisia, bringing an end to the North African campaign. Its major battles in North Africa were Benghazi, Tobruk, Wadi Akarit, Enfidaville and Tunis.

The division then moved in January 1944 to Italy. It took a major role (sustaining very heavy casualties) in the second battle for Monte Cassino and also the third battle (in March 1944).

late in March 1944 and the division took part in the advance from Cassino after the fourth battle in May 1944 to the Trasimene Line in Central Italy and then the Gothic Line.

In November 1944 the division was shipped to Greece to help stabilise the country after the Axis withdrawal.

[edit] 2nd Machine Gun Battalion

  • 4th Infantry Division - Existing division at the start of the war, headquartered in Colchester. Served in France from 10.39 until 6.40, in North Africa from 3.43 until 12.43, in Egypt from 12.43 until 2.44, in Italy from 2.44 until 12.44, and in Greece from 12.44 until the end of the war. Fought at Oued Zarga, the Medjez Plain, Tunis, Cassino, on the Trasimene Line, Arezzo, Florence, and on the Rimini Line. Ended the war under command of HQ Land Forces (Greece).1940 Dunkirk ,1943 Tunisia Campaign , Operation Vulcan , British IX Corps , British 1st Army

[edit] 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion

  • 3rd Infantry Division - Existing division at the start of the war, headquartered in Bulford. Served in France from 9.39 until 6.40,The Third Division was the first British division to land at Sword Beach on D-Day and fought through the Battle of Normandy, the Netherlands and later the invasion of Germany. For the campaign in Normandy

[edit] 4th Machine Gun Battalion

France and Belgium from 1.1940 until 6.1940. Egypt from 6.1941 until 7.1941 & 2.1942, from 6.1942 until 12.1942, & from 5.1943 until 9.1943. Cyprus from 7.1941 until 11.1941. Syria from 1.1942 until 2.1942. Libya from 2.1942 until 6.1942 & from 12.1943 until 3.1943 & from 4.1943 until 5.1943. North Africa from 3.1943 until 4.1943. Sicily from 7.1943 until 10.1943. Northwestern Europe from 6.1944 until 12.1944. Redesignated an Infantry (Reserve) Division in the U.K. 8.1945. Arrived in Norway and retitled HQ British Land Forces Norway.

Battles Arras.Counter Attack, Ypres-Comines Canal, Battle of Gazala ,Mersa Matruh, second battle of El Alamein, Operation Supercharge , Operation Pugilist ,Mareth, Akarit, Enfidaville, assaulted Sicily Operation Husky, assaulted Normandy Gold Beach, and in the Neder rijn

[edit] 43rd (6th (City) Battalion, The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) Royal Tank Regiment, 43rd RTR

Part of 3rd Infantry Division , (1942-43)

[edit] 7th Machine Gun Battalion

  • 51st (Highland) Division ,had been stationed at the Maginot Line, and had thus escaped being encircled with the rest of the BEF at Dunkirk. It was then pulled back to the west of Northern France, where it was attached to the French 10th Army. For some time, it was forced to hold a line four times longer than that which would normally be expected of a division. During this period, the 154th Brigade was detached and withdrawn successfully. However, the 152nd Brigade and 153rd Brigade were trapped at Saint-Valéry-en-Caux, and surrendered on June 12.

,reformed after Dunkirk - 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division - Fought at Caen and Mount Pincon. Served in northwestern Europe from 6.44 until 10.44. 19.10.44 disbanded in northwestern Europe.

[edit] 8th Battalion, (3rd Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps , Royal Armoured Corps)

The 23rd (Northumbrian) Division was raised in October 1939, and was sent to France on 22 April 1940 on Labour and training duties, without any of its artillery , signals, or administration units.

On 20 May 1940 the division suffered heavy casualties trying to delay the German advance at Arras. On its return to Britain, after Dunkirk, the 23rd Division was disbanded due to the heavy losses it had suffered. Ironically both of its infantry brigades would still survive till 1944 and see action in Normandy. The 70th Infantry Brigade being apart of the 49th Division and the 69th Infantry Brigade having seen action in the desert prior to Normandy as a part of the 50th Northumbrian Division .

[edit] 9th Machine Gun Battalion

The 23rd Northumbrian Division was raised in October 1939, and was sent to France on 22 April 1940 on Labour and training duties, without any of its artillery , signals, or administration units.

On 20 May 1940 the division suffered heavy casualties trying to delay the German advance at Arras. On its return to Britain, after Dunkirk, the 23rd Division was disbanded due to the heavy losses it had suffered.

After Dunkirk the Battalion was transferred to the 18th Infantry Division was landed at Singapore a few weeks before the fall of the island. Its units went into Japanese POW camps after the brief but violent week long Battle of Singapore. This division was not reformed.

[edit] Korean War

29th Infantry Brigade

From July-Nov 1951

[edit] Aden

The 1st Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers flew into Aden's Khormaksar airfield in September 1966. The Battalion was arriving in Aden to relieve the East Yorkshire Regiment, whose area of responsibility had been Crater. The Battalion landed at 3.00 AM and by 6.00 AM that same morning, X Company Northumberland Fusiliers moved into Crater to start their Internal Security operations. The Crater district was in the old part of Aden and was made up of a labyrinth of tiny streets with only two main roads leading in and out. About 70,000 Arabs lived in Crater. It was also here that the NLF and FOSY carried out their murderous campaign against each other and the British army. Most attacks on the British patrols were made by lone grenade-throwing terrorists. During the first day of the Northumberland Fusiliers tour of Aden, a patrol in Crater shot and killed one terrorist and wounded another after a grenade was thrown at them. The grenade was later found to be a sardine can but the Northumberland Fusiliers CO Col. Dick Blenkinsop was quick to back up his men saying it was the correct action to take in the situation his men had faced. He also hoped that this action would send a message to the NLF and FLOSY that the Northumberland Fusiliers were not to be played with. No more attacks were made against British soldiers for the next few weeks.

On the 11th of November the Battalion took its first casualties. A patrol under the command of Company Sergeant Major Pringle was travelling up the Marine Drive in a Land Rover when a grenade was thrown at the vehicle. The explosion turned over the Land Rover, spilling its occupants into the road and wounding CSM Pringle in the shoulder, but the main force of the explosion landed in the middle of a group of Arabs, killing one woman and seriously wounding others. The Arab who threw the grenade ran off and tried to disappear in the roads that led into the Bazaar. Fusilier Reagan who was the Battalion's cross-country runner was not hurt in the explosion and ran after the terrorist. Reagan soon caught up with him and tackled him with his rifle. Reagan calmly returned his prisoner to the Land Rover were the rest of the patrol were tending to CSM Pringle and the wounded Arabs.

The grenade attacks continued throughout the rest of the Battalion's tour of Aden resulting in many deaths and injuries from grenade fragments. At the start of the tour some bright spark in the Battalion came up with the idea of an Aden Grenade tie which was awarded to any member of the Battalion who had a grenade thrown at them. By the end of the Northumberland Fusiliers' time in Aden every member of the Battalion had be given an Aden Grenade tie.

The Northumberland Fusiliers found themselves the object of much press attention. The British media were focusing on the Aden problem and were very critical of the Battalion's methods. Many pictures were taken of "Brutal British Soldiers " kicking and threatening Arabs. These pictures were always taken after a grenade had been thrown at a patrol, killing or wounding Fusiliers. Naturally the Fusiliers reacted fast and hard when these attacks happened. Most soldiers would try and capture the terrorist rather than start shooting and the best way of getting though a crowd of Arabs was by using the British Army boot and connecting the Arab rear ends.

The lowest point of the Northumberland Fusiliers' tour of Aden came when Lt. Davis and 7 other members of the Battalion were murdered during the Police Mutiny in June 1967 In July 1967 the Northumberland Fusiliers handed over control of Crater to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders , and withdrew back to the UK. They left behind many of their mates in Silent Valley Cemetery who would never return to Blighty. It had been a hard tour of duty for the Battalion who had performed extremely well under the circumstances and had been branded as thugs by the world's Press.

[edit] Battle Honours

[edit] Peninsula War 1808-1814

Rolica; Vimera; Corunna: Busaco; Ciudad Rodrigo: Badajos: Salamanca: Vittoria: Nivelle: Orthes; Toulouse: Peninsula

[edit] India Mutiny 1857

Lucknow

[edit] Afghan War 1878

Afghanistan 1878-1880

[edit] Reconquest of the Sudan 1896 - 98

Khartum

[edit] Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902

Modder River; South Africa 1899-1902

[edit] The Great War 1914 - 1918

Mons; Marne 1914; Ypres 1914, 1915, 1917, 1918; St Julien; Somme 1916, 1918; Scarpe 1917, 1918; Selle; Piave; Struma; Suvla. Le Cateau; Retreat from Mons; Aisne 1914, 1918; La Bassée 1914; Messines 1914, 1917, 1918; Armentières 1914; Nonne Bosschen; Gravenstafel; Frezenberg; Bellewaarde; Loos; Albert 1916, 1918; Bazentin; Delville Wood; Pozières; Flers-Courcelette; Morval; Thiepval; Le Transloy; Ancre Heights; Ancre 1916; Arras 1917, 1918; Arleux; Pilckem; Langemarck 1917; Menin Road; Polygon Wood; Broodseinde; Passchendaele; Cambrai 1917, 1918; St Quentin; Bapaume 1918; Rosières; Lys; Estaires; Hazebrouck; Bailleul; Kemmel; Béthune; Scherpenberg; Drocourt Quéant; Hindenburg Line; Epéhy; Canal du Nord; St Quentin Canal; Beaurevoir; Courtrai; Valenciennes; Sambre; France and Flanders 1914-18; Vittorio Veneto; Italy 1917-18; Macedonia 1915-18; Landing at Suvla; Scimitar Hill; Gallipoli 1915; Egypt 1916-17

[edit] World War 2 1939-1945

Defence of Escaut; Arras Counter-attack; St Orner-La Bassée; Odon; Cagny; Falaise; Nederrijn; North-West Europe 1940, 1944-5; Belhamed; Ruweisat Ridge; Advance on Tripoli; Medenine; North Africa 1940-3; Volturno Crossing; Monte Camino; Garigliano Crossing; Italy 1943-5; Singapore Island. Dunkirk 1940; Caen; Rhineland; Sidi Barrani; Defence of Tobruk; Tobruk 1941; Cauldron; El Alamein; Salerno; Cassino II.

[edit] Korean War 1950 - 1953

Imjin; Seoul; Kowang-San; Korea 1950-51.

[edit] Victoria Cross

[edit] Sergeant Robert Grant

Robert Grant VC (1837—23 November 1874) 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.

He was approx. 20 years old, and a Sergeant in the 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment of Foot (later The Northumberland Fusiliers), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 24 September 1857 at Alumbagh, India, Sergeant Grant went, under very heavy fire, to save the life of a private whose leg had been shot away. With the help of a lieutenant, Sergeant Grant carried the wounded man to the safety of the camp.

[edit] 2nd Lieutenant James Bulmer Johnson

James Johnson VC (31 December 1889 - 23 March 1943) 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.

He was 28 years old, and a Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, The Northumberland Fusiliers, British Army, attached to 36th Battalion during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 14 October 1918 south west of Wez Macquart, France, during operations by strong patrols, Second Lieutenant Johnson repelled frequent counter-attacks and for six hours, under heavy fire, he held back the enemy. When at length he was ordered to retire he was the last to leave the advanced position carrying a wounded man. Three times subsequently this officer returned and brought in badly wounded men under intense enemy machine-gun fire.

[edit] Private Patrick McHale

Patrick McHale VC (1826- 26 October 1866) was born in Killala, County Mayo and 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.

Details He was approximately 31 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment of Foot (later The Northumberland Fusiliers) British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 2 October 1857 at Lucknow, India, Private McHale was the first man at the capture of one of the guns at the Cawnpore Battery. On 22 December he was the first to take possession of one of the guns which had sent several rounds of grape through his company. On every occasion of attack Private McHale was the first to meet the enemy, amongst whom he caused such consternation by the boldness of his attack that those who followed him had little to do. His daring and sustained bravery became a byword among his comrades.

[edit] Sergeant Peter McManus

Peter McManus VC (March, 1829 – 27 April 1859) was born in Tynan, County Armagh, 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.

He was approximately 28 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment of Foot (later The Northumberland Fusiliers), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 26 September 1857 at Lucknow, India, when a party of men was shut up and besieged in a house in the city, Private McManus stayed outside the house until he himself was wounded, and under cover of a pillar kept firing on the sepoys and prevented their rushing the house. He also, in conjunction with another private (John Ryan) dashed into the street and took a wounded captain out of a dhooly and carried him into the house in spite of heavy fire in which the captain was again wounded.

He later achieved the rank of sergeant. He was killed in action, Allahabad, India, on 27 April 1859.

[edit] Private Ernest Sykes

Ernest Sykes VC (4 April 1885-3 August 1949) 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.

He was 32 years old, and a private in the 27th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 19 April 1917, near Arras, France, the battalion in attack was held up by intense fire from front and flank, and suffered heavy casualties. Private Sykes, despite this heavy fire, went forward and brought back four wounded. He then made a fifth journey and remained out under conditions which appeared to be certain death, until he had bandaged all those too badly injured to be moved.

[edit] Lance Corporal Thomas Bryan

Thomas Bryan (21 January 1882-13 October 1945) 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.

He was 35 years old, and a lance-corporal in the 25th (S) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 9 April 1917 near Arras, France, during an attack Lance-Corporal Bryan although wounded, went forward alone in order to silence a machine-gun which was inflicting much damage. He worked his way along the communication trench, approached the gun from behind, disabled it and killed two of the team. The results obtained by Lance-Corporal Bryan's action were very far-reaching.

[edit] Major Robert Henry Cain (Attached Staffordshire Regiment)

Major Robert Henry Cain VC (2 January 1909 - 2 May 1974) was a Manx 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.

He was 35 years old, and a temporary Major in The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, British Army, attd. The South Staffordshire Regiment during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

During the period 19 September to 25 September 1944 at Arnhem, the Netherlands, Major Cain's company was cut off from the battalion and throughout the whole of this time was closely engaged with enemy tanks, self-propelled guns and infantry. The Major was everywhere danger threatened, moving among his men and encouraging them to hold out. By his leadership he not only stopped but demoralized the enemy attacks and although he was suffering from a perforated ear-drum and multiple wounds, he refused medical attention.

After Arnhem, he oversaw the German surrender in Norway.

[edit] Captain James Joseph Bernard Jackman

James Joseph Bernard Jackman VC (born in Dublin 19 March 1916 - 26 November 1941), 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.

He was 25 years old, and a Temporary Captain in The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, British Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 25 November 1941 at Tobruk, Libya, the assault on El Duda ridge was being slowed down by fierce enemy fire from anti-tank guns and Captain Jackman as calmly as though on manoeuvres, led his machinegun company to ease the situation on the right flank of our tanks. Then, standing up in his vehicle, he led the trucks across the front between the tanks and the guns and got them into action on the left flank. His coolness and complete disregard of danger not only inspired his own men but also the tank crews. He was killed next day.

He was killed in action, El Duda, Tobruk, Libya, North Africa, on 26 November 1941.

[edit] Private Wilfred Wood

Wilfred Wood VC (2 February 1897-3 January 1982) 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.

He was 21 years old, and a private in the 10th Battalion, The Northumberland Fusiliers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 28 October 1918 near Casa Vana, Italy, when the advance was being held up by hostile machine-guns and snipers, Private Wood on his own initiative worked forward with his Lewis gun, enfiladed the enemy machine-gun nest and caused 140 men to surrender. Later, when a hidden machine-gun opened fire at point-blank range, Private Wood charged the gun, firing his Lewis gun from the hip at the same time. He killed the machine-gun crew and, without further orders, pushed on and enfiladed a ditch from which three officers and 160 men subsequently surrendered.

[edit] 2nd Lieutenant John Scott Youll

John Scott Youll VC (6 June 1897 - 27 October 1918) 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.

A former colliery electrician at Thornley, Durham, he was 21 years old, and a Temporary Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, The Northumberland Fusiliers, British Army, attached to 11th (Service) Battalion during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 15 June 1918 south west of Asiago, Italy, Second Lieutenant Youll was commanding a patrol which came under heavy enemy fire. Sending his men back to safety he remained to watch the situation and then, unable to rejoin his company, he reported to a neighbouring unit where he took command of a party of men from different units, holding his position against enemy attack until a machine-gun opened fire behind him. He rushed and captured the gun, killing most of the team and opened fire, inflicting heavy casualties. He then carried out three separate counterattacks, driving the enemy back each time.

He was killed in action, River Piave, Italy, on 27 October 1918.

[edit] George Cross Winner

[edit] Derek Godfrey Kinne

Fusilier Derek Godfrey Kinne was awarded the George Cross for the valour he showed in withstanding torture at the hands of the Chinese Communist forces during the Korean War [1].

He was serving with the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers when he was taken prisoner by the communists on the last day of the Imjin River battle on the 25th of April 1951. He escaped twice, the first time within a day of his capture, and was held in solitary confinement in ever more brutal conditions as a result of his unbreakable defiance. His final period of punishment was for wearing a rosette to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. He was eventually released, in a prisoner exchange, on the 10th of August, 1953.

Notice of his award was published in the London Gazette on the 13th of April 1954. It ended thus "Fusilier Kinne was during the course of his periods of solitary confinement kept in no less than seven different places of imprisonment, including a security police gaol, under conditions of the most extreme degradation and increasing brutality. Every possible method both physical and mental was employed by his captors to break his spirit, a task which proved utterly beyond their powers. Latterly he must have been fully aware that every time he flaunted his captors and showed openly his detestation of themselves and their methods he was risking his life. He was in fact several times threatened with death or non-repatriation. Nevertheless he was always determined to show that he was prepared neither to be intimidated nor cowed by brutal treatment at die hands of a barbarous enemy. His powers of resistance and his determination to oppose and fight the enemy to the maximum were beyond praise. His example was an inspiration to all ranks who came into contact with him." [2]

[edit] The end

London Gazette, 19 April 1968:

"By virtue of the provisions of the Royal Warrant dated 5th April, 1968 (published in Army Order 18 of 1968) all officers of the Land Forces belonging to The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (5th), The Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers (6th), The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (7th), and The Lancashire Fusiliers (20th) are transferred to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers with effect from 23rd April, 1968."

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Wood, Denis. The Fifth Fusiliers and Its Badges. London: D. R. Wood, 1988. ISBN 0951328506.

[edit] External links