18 January 2009

Victoria Cross: Bromley, Stubbs and Grimshaw

CUTHBERT BROMLEY

Captain (temporary Major), 1st Battalion the Lancashire Fusiliers

Born: 19 September 1878, Seaford, Sussex
Died: 13 August 1915, Aegean Sea, aboard HM Troopship Royal Edward


FRANK EDWARD STUBBS

Serjeant, 1st Battalion the Lancashire Fusiliers

Born: 12 March 1888, Walworth, London
Died: 25 April 1915, 'W' Beach, Gallipoli, Turkey


JOHN ELISHA GRIMSHAW

Corporal, 1st Battalion the Lancashire Fusiliers.

Born: 20 January 1893, Abram, Wigan, Lancashire
Died: 20 July 1980, Isleworth, London


Citation: His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officer and Non-Commissioned Officers of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, in recognition of most conspicuous bravery displayed:–
Capt. (temp Maj.) Cuthbert Bromley (since drowned).
No. 1506 Sjt. Frank Edward Stubbs (since died of wounds).
No. 2609 Cpl. (now Sjt.) John Grimshaw.
On the 25th April, 1915, headquarters and three companies of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, in effecting a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula to the West of Cape Helles, were met by very deadly fire from hidden machine guns, which caused a great number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up to and cut the wire entanglements, notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy, and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained.
Amongst the many very gallant officers and men engaged in this most hazardous undertaking, Captain Bromley, Serjeant Stubbs, and Corporal Grimshaw have been selected by their comrades as having performed the most signal acts of bravery and devotion to duty.
The above awards of the Victoria Cross are to be read in conjunction with those conferred on the undermentioned for most conspicuous bravery on the same occasion:–
Capt. Richard Raymond Willis, 1st Bn., Lan. Fus.
No. 1293 Sjt. Alfred Richards, 1st Bn., Lan. Fus.
No. 1809 Pte. William Keneally, 1st Bn., Lan. Fus.
See London Gazette, dated 24th August, 1915.
Note.–Consequent on the award of the Victoria Cross the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to No. 2609 Sjt. John Grimshaw, 1st Bn., Lan. Fus., which was published in the London Gazette dated 16th November, 1915, is hereby cancelled.

(London Gazette issue 29985 dated 15 Mar 1917, published 13 Mar 1917.)

Note: Bromley, Stubbs and Grimshaw were elected under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant of 29 January 1856. For the award to Willis, Richards and Keneally, see here.
Royal Edward was torpedoed by the German UB 14 (Oblt z S Heino von Heimburg).

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