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General Discussion

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neilh
neilh
13 Apr 2013 12:55

VC

Remember those who die in foreign lands,
who give their lives that liberty may thrive
shedding blood in arid Afghan sands.

Those who’ve stayed behind all understand;
those shell-shocked souls who make it home alive
remember those who die in foreign lands.

James Ashworth had the guts to take command.
He died so that his men survived,
shedding blood in arid Afghan sands

Sitting lonely with the letter in their hands,
shedding tears, partners, lovers, wives
remember those who die in foreign lands.

The bronzed VC cannot replace the man
who paid the price when fate connived
shedding blood in arid Afghan sands

Salute the brave who’ve made the stand,
those who’ve fallen, those who have survived.
Remember those who die in foreign lands,
Shedding blood in arid Afghan sands

HuwMatthews2
HuwMatthews2
17 Apr 2013 01:37

Very good Neil.

 

Do you know that there are 5 Victoria Cross winners from Dawlish or who lived in the town?

 

Can let you have detaills if you would like.

1 Agree
Mcjrpc
Mcjrpc
17 Apr 2013 08:51

I'd like to know.  Thank you. 

neilh
neilh
23 Apr 2013 20:12

Yes please.

Carer
Carer
24 Apr 2013 09:31
1 Agree
neilh
neilh
24 Apr 2013 09:33

Thanks Carer.  Is there information posted somewhere (a citation) about what they did to be awarded the VC?

DJ
DJ
24 Apr 2013 10:42

There are plenty of books that list citations and there are probably sources on-line too from regimental archives etc, but VC citations were also published in the London Gazette and you can do a search online for pages from that which should give all the information.

neilh
neilh
24 Apr 2013 13:51

Thanks, will look.

Carer
Carer
25 Apr 2013 07:24

@ Neil.

 

All the links are clickable, so you should (hopefully) find more info there. cheeky

Paul
Paul
25 Apr 2013 09:42

Real genuine heroes, awesome!   yes

HuwMatthews2
HuwMatthews2
28 Apr 2013 01:58

'Cy' Barton was definitley not known as 'Joey'! There is an account together with a replica VC at Barton Surgery (No, it wasn't named after him. Barton is an old name for a farm). He stayed with his Grand Parents in Dawlish as a kid (due to ill health) and went to Dawlish Boys School.

 

Pennell was born in Barton Villas. After winning the VC he was killed in an accident on The Cresta Run. I would really like to have met him! He is buried in St. Gregory's Churchyard. Most of the town turned out for his funeral after the coffin arrived by train.

 

Hammond was born in the High Street, in a house that still stands.

 

Grayburn won the VC at Arnhem. 

 

Flemming-Sandes won his in France (WW1) by taking a German position chucking bombs (I assume grenades) on his own and was wounded. He lived in the town after the event.

 

I did some research for these guys for the Legion but can't find it....will dig it all out at some point.

 

I think some Blue Plaques would be in order.

ken
ken
28 Apr 2013 08:43

@HuwMatthews 2 Definately in agreement with that last statement.

Duckileaks
Duckileaks
29 Apr 2013 11:59

The information on these men is great, really interesting. 

I agree with Huw, blue plaques is the least they deserve, Dawlish should be proud, there can't be many towns of our size with so many connections to VC's.

HuwMatthews2
HuwMatthews2
01 May 2013 00:55

No, there really can't be.

And add to that Bill Millin's connection to the town.

We wanted to get some streets named for them but were told we needed to contact living NOKs to get permission - unfortunately we don't have the resources to research that so nothing has been done.

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