George Harry Wyatt

George Harry Wyatt VC (5 September 1886-22 January 1964) 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.

Details

He was 27 years old, and a Lance-Corporal in the 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 25/26 August 1914 at Landrecies, France, part of Lance-Corporal Wyatt's battalion was hotly engaged close to some farm buildings, when the enemy set alight some straw sacks in the farmyard. The lance-corporal twice dashed out under very heavy fire from the enemy, only convert|25|yd away, and extinguished the burning straw, making it possible to hold the position. Later, although wounded in the head, he continued firing until he could no longer see owing to the blood pouring down his face. The medical officer bound up his wound and ordered him to the rear, but he returned to the firing line and went on fighting.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of Lance-Sergeant. Grave/memorial at Buried at Cadeby Chruchyard, near Doncaster, Yorkshire, England. Headstone.

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*VCs of the First World War - 1914 (Gerald Gliddon, 1994)

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/yorkshir.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(South Yorkshire)"
* [http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWwyatt.htm Private George Wyatt] "(biography)"