John William Ormsby
John William Ormsby VC MM (10 January 1881 – 20 July 1952) 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.
John William Ormsby | |
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| Born | 11 January 1881 Dewsbury, West Yorkshire |
| Died | 20 July 1952 (aged 71) Dewsbury |
| Buried | Dewsbury Cemetery |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  British Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry |
| Battles/wars |
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Ormsby was a career soldier first serving in the Second Boer War.
Details
He was 36 years old, and a sergeant in the 2nd Battalion, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 14 April 1917 at Fayet, France, during operations which culminated in the capture of an important position, Sergeant Ormsby, acting as company sergeant-major showed complete indifference to the heavy machine-gun and rifle fire and set a fine example. After clearing a village he pushed on and drove out many snipers from localities further forward. When the only surviving officer was wounded he took command of the company and led them forward under heavy fire for 400 yards to a new position, holding it until relieved.[1]
Medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Museum, Doncaster, England.
References
- "No. 30122". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 April 1917. p. 5704.
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (West Yorkshire)