George Rowland Patrick Roupell

Infobox Military Person
name= George Rowland Patrick Roupell
lived= 1892 - 1974
placeofbirth= Tipperary
placeofdeath= Shalford, Surrey


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= British Army
serviceyears=
rank= Brigadier
commands=
unit=
battles= World War I
World War II
awards= Victoria Cross
Military Cross with bar
Order of the Bath
Croix de Guerre
laterwork=

George Rowland Patrick Roupell VC CB Croix de Guerre (France), Order of St. George, 4th Class (Russia)) (7 April 1892 - 4 March 1974) was born in Tipperary and was an Irish 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.

He was 23 years old, and a lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 20 April 1915 at Hill 60, Belgium, Lieutenant Roupell was commanding a company which was being subjected to a most severe bombardment. Although wounded several times, he remained at his post and led his company in repelling a strong German assault. During a lull he had his wounds dressed, but immediately returned to his trench which was again being fiercely bombarded. Towards evening he went back to battalion headquarters and fetched reinforcements, having to pass backwards and forwards over ground swept by heavy fire. With these reinforcements, he was able to hold his position throughout the night and until relieved next morning.

Roupell was educated at Rossall School and later served in the Second World War, achieving the rank of Brigadier.

During the Battle of France, Roupell was brigadier of the British Expeditionary Force's 36 Infantry Brigade (07-Oct-1939 20-May-1940). The German thrust near the Somme river towards Abbeville eventually cut off the BEF, northern French and Belgian forces from the rest of France. Roupell's brigade headquarters near Doullens was attacked by enemy troops and on being told of the threat Roupell is reported to have exclaimed: "Never mind the Germans. I'm just going to finish my cup of tea." ["Dunkirk, Fight to the Last Man" by Hugh Sebag-Montfiore] Roupell avoided capture and returned to the UK via non-belligerent Spain almost two years later after having been in hiding working as a labourer on a French farm. In 1943 he was commanding officer of 114 Infantry Brigade (18-Mar-1943 02-Nov-1943).

In addition to his Victoria Cross he was awarded the Russian Order of St George and the French Croix de Guerre, and was Mentioned in Despatches. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1956.He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey in 1953, and became the last Colonel of The East Surrey Regiment, holding office in 1959 when amalgamation with The Queen's Royal Regiment took place to form the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment. George Roupell died in Shalford, Surrey, on 4 March 1974 (aged 82). His interment is located at Guildford Crematorium.

References

Listed in order of publication year
*"The Register of the Victoria Cross" (1981, 1988 and 1997)
*"The Irish Sword" (Brian Clarke 1986)
*"Irelands VCs" ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
*"Monuments to Courage" (David Harvey, 1999)
*"VCs of the First World War - The Western Front 1915" (Peter F. Batchelor & Christopher Matson, 1999)
*"Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross" (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/surrey.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Surrey)"
* [http://www.ordersofbattle.com/PersonData.aspx?PerX=1336&Tab=App Brig Roupell service record at OrdersofBattle.com]