George Ravenhill
Template:Short description Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox military person
George Albert Ravenhill VC (21 February 1872 – 14 April 1921) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and other Commonwealth forces. Ravenhill is one of eight men whose VCs were involuntarily forfeited.
Military service
Ravenhill was born in Aston, Birmingham in 1872.<ref name="BBC" /><ref>BBC News: Plaque to honour city war heroes</ref> In May 1889 Ravenhill joined the 1st Battalion of The Royal Scots Fusiliers at Birr, County Offaly.<ref>Northeastmedals.co.uk: VCs of the Boer War - George Ravenhill</ref> He served near six years in India then two years with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa. He gained the Queen's and the King's medals, with clasps, for Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal and Cape Colony.<ref name="RSF">www.armynavyairforce.co.uk: Royal Scots Fusiliers</ref>
Ravenhill was 27 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Scots Fusiliers, British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place on 15 December 1899 at the battle of Colenso, South Africa for which he was awarded the VC. His citation reads: Template:Quote
He was wounded at Colenso due to being shot through the forearm.<ref name="RSF"/>
Forfeiture
Ravenhill's VC was forfeited in 1908 after he was imprisoned for theft of a quantity of iron and could not afford to pay the 10 shilling fine. His VC-entitled pension was also withdrawn.
Despite the forfeiture of his VC, Ravenhill re-enlisted into the army in September 1914, aged 42, and fought in the First World War.<ref>https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/story/31031. Retrieved 22 October 2024.</ref> During the next two years he earned the British, Victory and 1915 Star campaign medals.<ref>https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/story/31031. Retrieved 22 October 2024.</ref> He was invalided out of the army for health reasons in 1916.
Ravenhill died in poverty at the age of 49, and three of his children were taken away to be fostered in the USA and Canada.<ref>Bartley Green Local History Digital Archive Template:Webarchive</ref> Ravenhill is buried in an unmarked grave at Witton Cemetery, Birmingham.<ref name="BBC">BBC NEWS: Plaque to honour city war heroes</ref>
The Medal
Ravenhill's Victoria Cross is currently displayed at the Museum of The Royal Highland Fusiliers in Glasgow, Scotland.
See also
References
Further reading
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Birmingham)
- Template:Find a Grave
- 1872 births
- 1921 deaths
- Royal Scots Fusiliers soldiers
- Military personnel from Birmingham, West Midlands
- Second Boer War recipients of the Victoria Cross
- British recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Victoria Cross forfeitures
- British Army personnel of the Second Boer War
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross
- People from Aston