Oxfordshires VCs

Oxfordshire's VCs

The Victoria Cross (VC) is Britain's highest award for valour in the face of the enemy.  Instituted after the Crimean War, during which the public first generally became aware of the courage that many soldiers showed in action, it has been awarded 1356 times, three of those awards to previous recipients.

Listed below are those recipients who had a connection with Oxfordshire. Some were born or lived in the county, others served with the regiments of the county, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and The Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars.

THE CRIMEAN WAR:
Robert Loyd Lindsay, Baron Wantage (1832-1901)

When the formation of the line of the Regiment was disordered at Alma, Captain Lindsay stood firm with the Colours, and by his example and energy, greatly tended to restore order. At Inkerman, at a most trying moment, he, with a few men, charged a party of Russians, driving them back, and running one through the body himself. VC awarded while a Captain in the Scots (Fusilier) Guards.

THE INDIAN MUTINY:
Bugler Robert Hawthorne - 52nd Regiment of Foot (1822-1879)

Bugler Hawthorne, who accompanied the explosion party, not only performed the dangerous duty on which he was employed, but previously attached himself to Lieutenant Salkeld, of the Engineers, when dangerously wounded, bound up his wounds under a heavy musketry fire, and had him removed without further injury

Colonel Hugh Stewart Cochrane - 43rd Regiment of Foot (1829-1884)

For conspicuous gallantry near Jhansi, on the 1st of April, 1858, when No. 1 Company of the Regiment was ordered to take a gun, in dashing forward at a gallop, under a heavy musketry and artillery fire, driving the enemy from the gun, and keeping possession of it till the Company came up. Also for conspicuous gallantry in attacking the rear-guard of the enemy, when he had three horses shot under him in succession. VC awarded while a Lieutenant  in 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot.

Lance-Corporal Henry Smith (1825-1862)

Private Henry Addison (1821-1887)

THE MAORI WAR:
Colonel Frederick Augustus Smith (1826-1887)

THE BOER WAR:
Corporal Frank Howard Kirby (1871-1956)

WORLD WAR I:
Company Sergeant Major Edward Brooks (1883-1944)

Sergeant Edward John Mott (1893-1967)

Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse (1884-1917)

Corporal Alfred Wilcox (1884-1954)

Brigadier Alfred Maurice Toye (1897-1955)

Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson (1895-1918)

Captain Oswald Austin Reid (1893-1920)

WORLD WAR II:
Lieutenant John Hollington Grayburn (1918-1944)

Captain John Neil Randle (1917-1944)