- John McNamara (VC)
John McNamara VC (
28 October 1887 -16 October 1918 ) was an English recipient of theVictoria Cross , the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.He was 30 years old, and a
corporal in the 9th Battalion,The East Surrey Regiment ,British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.On
3 September 1918 north west of Lens,France , when operating a telephone in evacuated enemy trenches occupied by his battalion, Corporal McNamara realised that a determined enemy counter-attack was gaining ground. Rushing to the nearest post, he made very good use of a revolver taken from a wounded officer and then, seizing a Lewis gun, he fired it until it jammed. By this time, he was alone in the post and, having destroyed the telephone, he joined the nearest post and maintained a Lewis gun until reinforcements arrived.He was killed in action near
Solesmes ,France , on16 October 1918 .His Victoria Cross is displayed at the
Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment (Queens and Royal Hampshires) "(Dover Castle, England)".
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