Francis alexander caron scrimger biography channel
•
Citation
14th January, For his conspicuous bravery during the severely contested engagement with the Basutos on the 14th January, , at Tweefontein, near Thaba Tsen, when, after the enemy had charged the Burghers in the most determined manner, forcing them to retire with a loss of sixteen killed and twenty-one wounded, Surgeon McCrea went out for some distance, under a heavy fire, and, with the assistance of Captain Buxton of the Mafeteng Contingent, conveyed a wounded Burgher named Aircamp to the shelter of a large ant-heap, and having placed him in a position of safety returned to the Ambulance for a stretcher. Whilst on his way thither Surgeon McCrea was severely wounded in the right breast by a bullet, notwithstanding which, he continued to perform his duties at the Ambulance, and again assisted to bring in several wounded men, continuing afterwards to attend the wounded during the remainder of the day, and scarcely taking time to dress his own wound, which he was obliged t
•
Citation
15th December, At Colenso, on the 15th December, , the wounded of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, were lying in an advanced donga close in the rear of the guns without any Medical Officer to attend to them, and when a message was sent back asking for assistance, Major W. Babtie, R A.M.C., rode up beneath a heavy rifle fire, his pony being hit three times. "When he arrived at the donga, where the wounded were lying in sheltered corners, he attended to them all, going from place to place exposed to the heavy rifle fire which greeted anyone who showed himself. Later on in the day, Major Babtie went out with Captain Congreve to bring in Lieutenant Roberts, who was lying wounded on the veldt. This also was under a heavy fire.
Medals
- Victoria Cross, L.G. 20 April
- KCB Neck decoration and breast star
- KCMG neck decoration and breast star
- Queen’s South African War Medal, clasps - Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s
•
Library and Archives Canada Blog
By Emily Monks-Leeson
Today’s blog post for the series First World War Centenary: Honouring Canada’s Victoria Cross Recipients tells the story of Piper James Cleland Richardson, awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for gallantry during the Battle of the Ancre Heights on October 8, at Regina Trench, Somme, France.
Piper James Cleland Richardson, VC, 16th Battalion, CEF. (MIKAN )
Born in Bellshill, Scotland, on November 25, , Richardson immigrated to British Columbia where he served as a piper in the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. In September , he enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and went overseas as part of a large Seaforth contingent of the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish).
On October 8, , Richardson’s company was held up by uncut barbed wire and intense fire as they attacked German positions at Regina Trench. Richardson’s commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Cyrus Peck, later wrote of Richardson’s extraordinary cour