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William Gregg (VC)

2023-10-06T23:15:19Z

2A00:23C5:B320:DF01:21CE:8E21:7D41:82F6: /* Bibliography */

{{Short description|English Victoria Cross recipient (1890–1969)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
|name=William Gregg
|honorific_suffix=
|birth_date={{birth date|df=y|1890|1|27}}
|death_date={{death date and age|df=y|1969|8|10|1890|1|27}}
|birth_place= [[Heanor]], [[Derbyshire]]
|death_place= Heanor
|placeofburial=
|image= William Beesley and William Gregg.jpg
| image_size =
|caption=[[William Beesley]] VC (left) and William Gregg
|nickname=
|allegiance={{flag|United Kingdom}}
|serviceyears=
|rank=[[Company Sergeant-Major]]
|branch={{army|United Kingdom}}
|commands=
|unit=
{{plainlist|
*[[Rifle Brigade]]
*[[The Sherwood Foresters]]
}}
|battles=
{{plainlist|
*[[World War I]]
*[[World War II]]
}}
|awards=
{{plainlist|
*[[File:UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg|30px]] [[Victoria Cross]]
*[[Distinguished Conduct Medal]]
*[[Military Medal]]
}}
|laterwork=
}}
'''William Gregg''' [[Victoria Cross|VC]] [[Distinguished Conduct Medal|DCM]] [[Military Medal|MM]] (27 January 1890 – 10 August 1969) was an [[England|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 [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces.

==Details==
He was 28 years old, and a [[sergeant]] in the 13th Battalion, [[The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)]], [[British Army]] during the [[First World War]] when he performed a deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

On 8 May 1918 at [[Bucquoy]], [[France]], when all the officers of Sergeant Gregg's company had been hit during an attack on an enemy outpost, he took command, rushing two enemy posts, killing some of the gun teams, taking prisoners and capturing a machine-gun. He then started to consolidate his position until driven back by a counter-attack, but as reinforcements had by now come up, he led a charge, personally bombed a hostile machine-gun, killed the crew and captured the gun. When driven back again, he led another successful attack and held on to his position until ordered to withdraw.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=30770|date=25 June 1918 |page=7619|supp=y }}</ref>

==Further information==
He later achieved the rank of [[company sergeant-major]] and served in [[World War II]] with the [[Sherwood Foresters]].

==The medal==
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the [[Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum]] in [[Winchester]], England.

==Local honours==
William lived in Heanor, [[Derbyshire]], and as testament to his deeds of gallantry when the town's new swimming baths were built in 1970 they were named the 'William Gregg V.C Swimming Baths' in his honour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ripleyandheanornews.co.uk/news/local/chance-to-remember-vc-hero-bill-1-727139 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001204/http://www.ripleyandheanornews.co.uk/news/local/chance-to-remember-vc-hero-bill-1-727139 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |title=Chance to remember VC hero Bill - Ripley and Heanor News}}</ref> That recognition was continued when the facilities were extended and privatised in 2009-10 as the 'William Gregg V.C. Leisure Centre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dcleisurecentres.co.uk/centres/william-gregg-vc-leisure-centre' |title = Home – Places Leisure}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|year=1997|title=The Register of the Victoria Cross|editor-last=Buzzell|editor-first=Nora|location=[[Cheltenham]], Gloucestershire|publisher=This England Alma House|isbn=0-906324-27-0}}
*{{cite book|first=Gerald|last=Gliddon|year=2013|orig-year=2004|title=Spring Offensive 1918|series=[[VCs of the First World War]]|location=[[Stroud]], [[Gloucestershire]]|publisher=[[The History Press]]|isbn=978-0-7524-8730-4}}
*{{cite book|last=Harvey|first=David|author-link=David Charles Harvey|title=[[Monuments to Courage]]|publisher=Naval & Military Press Ltd|year=2000|isbn=1-84342-356-1}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20041028141415/http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/derbyshi.htm Location of grave and VC medal] ''(Derbyshire)''
*[http://www.dcleisurecentres.co.uk/Centres/Derbyshire/William+Gregg+VC+Leisure+Centre/William+Gregg+VC+Leisure+Centre Leisure Facilities Named in his honour] ''(Heanor Leisure Centre)''
* [http://vconline.org.uk/william-gregg-vc/4586858163 The Comprehensive Guide to the Victoria & George Cross]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gregg, William}}
[[Category:1890 births]]
[[Category:1969 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Heanor]]
[[Category:Rifle Brigade soldiers]]
[[Category:British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Military Medal]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:Sherwood Foresters soldiers]]
[[Category:British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Derbyshire]]

William Beesley

2023-10-06T23:14:23Z

2A00:23C5:B320:DF01:21CE:8E21:7D41:82F6: /* Bibliography */

{{short description|Recipient of the Victoria Cross}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
|name=William Beesley
|birth_date=5 October 1895
|death_date= 23 September 1966 (aged 70)
|birth_place= [[Church Gresley|Gresley]], [[Derbyshire]]
|death_place= [[Abergavenny]], [[Monmouthshire]]
|placeofburial=St Paul's Cemetery, [[Coventry]]
|image= William Beesley and William Gregg.jpg
| image_size =
|caption=William Beesley (left) and [[William Gregg (VC)|William Gregg]]
|nickname=
|allegiance={{UK}}
|serviceyears=1914–1919
|rank=[[Sergeant]]
|branch=[[File:Flag of the British Army.svg|23px]] [[British Army]]
|commands=
|unit=[[The Rifle Brigade]]<br>[[King's Royal Rifle Corps]]<br>[[Royal Artillery]]
|battles= [[World War I]]
* [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]]
[[World War II]]
|awards= [[File:UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg|30px]] [[Victoria Cross]]
|laterwork=
}}
'''William Beesley''' [[Victoria Cross|VC]] (5 October 1895 – 23 September 1966) was an [[England|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 [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces.

==Life==
Beesley was 22 years old, and a [[private (rank)|private]] in the 13th Battalion, [[The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)]], [[British Army]] during the [[First World War]] when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 8 May 1918 at [[Bucquoy]], [[France]], when Private Beesley's platoon sergeant and all the section commanders were killed he took command. Single-handed he rushed a post, shot four of the enemy, took six prisoners and sent them back to his lines. He and a comrade then brought his Lewis gun into action, inflicting many casualties and holding their position for four hours until the second private was wounded. Private Beesley, by himself, maintained his position until nightfall, when he returned to the original line with the wounded man and the Lewis gun which he kept in action until things had quietened down.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=30770|date=25 June 1918 |pages=7619–7620|supp=y }}</ref>

He later achieved the rank of [[sergeant]].

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the [[Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum]] in [[Winchester]], England.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|year=1997|title=The Register of the Victoria Cross|editor-last=Buzzell|editor-first=Nora|location=[[Cheltenham]], Gloucestershire|publisher=This England Alma House|isbn=0-906324-27-0}}
*{{cite book|first=Gerald|last=Gliddon|year=2013|orig-year=2004|title=Spring Offensive 1918|series=[[VCs of the First World War]]|location=[[Stroud]], [[Gloucestershire]]|publisher=[[The History Press]]|isbn=978-0-7524-8730-4}}
*{{cite book|last=Harvey|first=David|author-link=David Charles Harvey|title=[[Monuments to Courage]]|publisher=Naval & Military Press Ltd|year=2000|isbn=1-84342-356-1}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050908053155/http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/warwicks.htm Location of grave and VC medal] ''(Warwickshire)''

{{DEFAULTSORT:Beesley, William}}
[[Category:1895 births]]
[[Category:1966 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Church Gresley]]
[[Category:Rifle Brigade soldiers]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:King's Royal Rifle Corps soldiers]]
[[Category:Royal Artillery soldiers]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Derbyshire]]

Jack Thomas Counter

2023-10-06T23:12:21Z

2A00:23C5:B320:DF01:21CE:8E21:7D41:82F6: /* References */

{{Short description|English Victoria Cross recipient (1898-1970)}}{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
|name=Jack Thomas Counter
|birth_date=3 November 1898
|death_date=16 September 1970
|birth_place= [[Blandford Forum]], [[Dorset]]
|death_place= Blandford Forum
|placeofburial=
|image= JACK THOMAS COUNTER VC IWM Q68178.jpg
|image_size=
|caption=
|nickname=
|allegiance={{UK}}
|serviceyears=
|rank=[[Corporal]]
|branch=[[File:Flag of the British Army.svg|23px]] [[British Army]]
|commands=
|unit=[[King's Regiment (Liverpool)]]
|battles= [[World War I]]
|awards= [[File:UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg|30px]] [[Victoria Cross]]
|laterwork=Postman<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theislandwiki.org/index.php/Jack_Counter|title=Jack Counter - Jerripedia}}</ref>
}}
'''Jack Thomas Counter''' [[Victoria Cross|VC]] (3 November 1898 – 16 September 1970) was an [[England|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 [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces.

He was 19 years old, and a [[Private (rank)|private]] in the 1st Battalion, [[The King's (Liverpool) Regiment]], [[British Army]] during the [[World War I|First World War]] when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 16 April 1918 near [[Boisleux-Saint-Marc]], [[France]], it was necessary for information to be obtained from the front line and the only way to get it was over ground with no cover and in full view of the enemy. A small party tried without success, followed by six men, singly, each one being killed in the attempt. Private Counter then volunteered and, going out under terrific fire, got through and returned with vital information which enabled his commanding officer to organise and launch the final successful counter-attack. Subsequently, he also carried five messages across the open under heavy artillery barrage to company headquarters.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30697|supp=y|page=6059|date=21 May 1918}}</ref>

Counter left the army in 1921 with the rank of [[corporal]]. His medal is on display at the Jersey Museum, [[Saint Helier]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thekingsregiment.co.uk/VCJCounter.htm|title=Thekingsregiment.co.uk}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|year=1997|title=The Register of the Victoria Cross|editor-last=Buzzell|editor-first=Nora|location=[[Cheltenham]], Gloucestershire|publisher=This England Alma House|isbn=0-906324-27-0}}
*{{cite book|first=Gerald|last=Gliddon|year=2013|orig-year=2004|title=Spring Offensive 1918|series=[[VCs of the First World War]]|location=[[Stroud]], [[Gloucestershire]]|publisher=[[The History Press]]|isbn=978-0-7524-8730-4}}
*{{cite book|last=Harvey|first=David|author-link=David Charles Harvey|title=[[Monuments to Courage]]|publisher=Naval & Military Press Ltd|year=2000|isbn=1-84342-356-1}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20041028141732/http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/jersey.htm Location of grave and VC medal] ''(Jersey)''

{{Duke of Lancaster's Regiment}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Counter, Jack Thomas}}
[[Category:British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:King's Regiment (Liverpool) soldiers]]
[[Category:People from Blandford Forum]]
[[Category:1898 births]]
[[Category:1970 deaths]]
[[Category:British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Dorset]]