Lewis Stratford Tollemache Halliday

Lieutenant General Sir Lewis Stratford Tollemache Halliday VC, KCB (14 May 1870 – 9 March 1966) 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 30 years old, and a Captain in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, Royal Marines during the Boxer Rising, China when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 24 June 1900 at Peking, China, an attack was made on the British Legation by the Boxers who set fire to the stables and occupied some of the other buildings. It being imperative to drive the enemy out, a hole was knocked in the Legation wall and 20 men of the RMLI went in. Captain Halliday, leading a party of six men, was involved in desperate fighting and was severely wounded but despite his injuries, he killed four of the enemy. Finally, unable to carry on any further, he ordered his men to go on without him, after which he was taken to hospital.

Further information

*Served in the First World War. He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant General.
*He walked 3 miles unaided to the hospital although his shoulder was half blown out and his left lung punctured.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the HM Royal Marines Museum Southsea, England.

References

ee also

*List of Channel Islands Victoria Cross recipients

External links

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