James Firth

James Firth VC (15 January 1874--29 May 1921) 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

Firth was 26 years old, and a sergeant in the 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment, British Army during the South African War (Boer War) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 24 February 1900 at Plewman's Farm, near Arundel, Cape Colony, South Africa, Sergeant Firth picked up and carried to cover a lance-corporal who was lying wounded and exposed to heavy fire. Later in the day, when the enemy had advanced to within a short distance of the firing line, Sergeant Firth rescued a second lieutenant who was dangerously wounded, and carried him over the crest of a ridge to safety. He himself was shot through the nose and eye while doing so.

The medal

The medal is privately owned and not on public display.

Grave

The grave was chosen to be kept private.

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War (Ian Uys, 2000)

External links

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