George Symons

George Symons VC DCM (18 March 1826-18 November 1871) was an English 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.

Details

He was 29 years old, and a sergeant in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 6 June 1855 at Inkerman, Crimea, Sergeant Symons volunteered to unmask the embrasures of a five-gun battery in the advanced Right Attack. He did this under terrific fire from the enemy, which increased with the opening of each embrasure, until he came to the last one when he boldly mounted the parapet and threw down the sand-bags. As he was doing this an enemy shell burst and wounded him severely.

Further information

He was later commissioned into the Military Train, but transferred back to the Royal Artillery in 1862, reaching the rank of Captain.

References

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

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/yorkshir.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(East Yorkshire)"