Edmund Hartley

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox military person Colonel Edmund Baron Hartley VC CMG (6 May 1847 – 20 March 1919<ref name="BMJ">Template:Cite journal</ref>) was a 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.

Early life

Hartley was born in Ivybridge, Devon, England, on 6 May 1847.<ref name=Ivy>Grave location for holders of the Victoria Cross in: Brookwood cemetery, Woking, Surrey Template:Webarchive from victoriacross.org.uk</ref> Hartley arrived in Basutoland from Cape Town in 1875, becoming the first district surgeon in the colony. He was based in Maseru, but frequently traveled across the colony to treat patients. Following the outbreak of the 1879 Morosi's Revolt he served as the principal medical officer of the Cape Colonial Forces. During the course of the campaign he organised his principal hospital at Fort Hartley on the Orange River. He distinguished himself during the campaign earning the Victoria Cross (VC) for his actions.<ref name="HDL">Template:Cite book</ref> Which bore the following citation:

On 5 June 1879 in South Africa, Surgeon Major Hartley attended the wounded under fire at the unsuccessful attack at Morosi's Mountain. From an exposed position, on open ground, he carried in his arms a wounded corporal of the Cape Mounted Riflemen. The surgeon major then returned under severe enemy fire in order to dress the wounds of the other men of the storming party.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>

Hartley continued his service as the principal medical officer of the Cape troops during the subsequent Basuto Gun War.<ref name="HDL"/>

Later service

File:Edmund Hartley VC Grave.jpg

Hartley's grave in Brookwood Cemetery

He later achieved the rank of surgeon colonel and, in March 1900 during the Second Boer War fighting at Aliwal, he is mentioned doing ambulance work, ferrying away the wounded under fire.<ref>'The Times; The Advance of the Colonial Division; 10 April 1900; pg4 col F</ref>

In November 1900 he was reported wounded following the occupation of Philippolis by Lovat Scouts and Seaforth Highlanders<ref>The Times; Recent British Successes; 13 November 1900; pg5 colC</ref>

On 19 April 1901 he was appointed a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George<ref>The Times; Official Appointments and Notices; 6 July 1901; pg16 colB</ref> He died in Ash, Hampshire and is buried at Brookwood Cemetery.<ref name="Ivy"/>

The Medal

In 1955 the Victoria Cross medal was bought at Sotheby's for the then record price of £300.<ref>£1700 World Record...;The Times; 22 January 1969; pg 12 col F</ref> It is now displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum in Mytchett, Surrey.

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Brookwood Cemetery)
• The Brookwood Cemetery Society (Known Holders of the Victoria Cross Commemorated in Brookwood Cemetery)
• Image of Edmund Barron Hartley aged 12 (Named and dated photograph)
• BMJ obituary