George Campbell Wheeler

Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox military person George Campbell Wheeler VC (7 April 1880<ref name="NAM">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> – 26 August 1938) 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

Wheeler was born in 1880, and attended Bedford School from 1893 to 1897.Template:Citation needed He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Indian Staff Corps on 20 January 1900, and served with the 9th (Gurkha Rifle) Bengal Infantry. He was promoted to lieutenant on 20 April 1902.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>

Details

He was 36 years old, and a major in the 2nd Battalion, 9th Gurkha Rifles, British Indian Army during World War I when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.<ref name="ReferenceA">Template:London Gazette</ref>

On 23 February 1917 at Shumran on the River Tigris, Mesopotamia, Major Wheeler, together with one Gurkha officer and eight men of Khas battalion crossed the river and rushed the enemy's trench in the face of very heavy fire. Having obtained a footing on the far bank, he was almost immediately counter-attacked by the enemy with a party of bombers. Major Wheeler at once led a charge, receiving in the process a severe bayonet wound in the head. In spite of this, however, he managed to disperse the enemy and consolidate his position.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

He later achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.Template:Citation needed

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum, Chelsea, London.<ref name="NAM" />

See also

• List of Brigade of Gurkhas recipients of the Victoria Cross

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Hampshire)