Victoria Cross Research

OCKENDEN James (Reg No. 938)
Sergeant 1st Battalion The Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
London Gazetted on 8th September 1917.
Born on: 11th Decenber 1890 at Portsmouth, Hampshire.
Died on: 29th August 1966 at Portsmouth.
Memorial: Not known
Digest of Citation reads:
On 4 October 1917 east of Langemarck, Belgium, Sergeant Ockenden was acting as Company Sergeant-Major, and seeing the platoon on the right held up by an enemy machine-gun, he immediately rushed the gun, regardless of his own safety and captured it, killing the crew. He then led the section to the attack on a farm, where under very heavy fire he rushed forward and called on the garrison to surrender. As the enemy continued to fire on him, he opened fire killing four, whereupon the remaining 16 surrendered.
Additional information: He was also awarded the Military Medal. More to add.

O'CONNOR, Luke. (reg No. 939).
Sergeant. 23rd Regiment *
London Gazetted on 24th February 1857.
Born on 21st January 1831 at Elphin, County Roscommon, Ireland.
Died on 1st February 1915 at London.
Memorial on grave at St Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Kensal Rise, London. Also a portrait in the Royal Horse Fusiliers Museum, Caernarfon.
Digest of Citation reads:
At the Battle of Alma, in the Crimea, on 20th September 1884, Sergeant O'CONNOR advanced between two officers, one of them, Lieutenant Anstruther, was carrying the Regimental Colour when he was mortally wounded, Sergeant O'CONNOR was shot in the breast at the same time, he fell, but recovered himself, picked up the Colour from the ground and carried it, in spite of his wound, to the end of the action. He was urged to relinquish it several times, because of his wound, by Captain Granville. He also, on the 8th September, 1855 behaved with utmost gallantry at the assault on the Redan where he received shot wounds through both thighs.
* Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Additional information:. He joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1849, aged 17, becoming a Sergeant the following year. In addition to the Victoria Cross, he received the Crimean Medal with two clasps, the Sardinian and Turkish Medals as well as the Turkish Medal of Medjidie, 5th Class. He received the Victoria Cross from her Majesty Queen Victoria at the ceremony in Hyde Park on 26th June 1857. He was promoted to Lieutenant in February 1855, promoted Captain in August 1858, and in 1873 to Major. He took part in Sir Garnet Wolseley's Campaign to Kumasi, after which he was made a Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, along with the Medal and clasp. He took command of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers on 24th June 1884..
In 1886, with the rank of Colonel, he went on half pay.
After being granted the Distinguished Service Reward, he retired as a Major-General on 2nd March 1887.
He was created a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1900 and a Knight Commander of the Bath in 1913. He died, at the age of 84, after suffering for some time, on 1st February 1915.

ODGERS, William. (reg No. 940).
Leading Seaman. Royal Navy.
London Gazetted on 3rd August 1860.
Born on 14th February, 1834 at Falmouth, Cornwall.
Died on 20th December, 1873 at Saltash, Cornwall.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads:
Leading Seaman Odgers of HMS Niger showed conspicuous gallantry, at 0mata in New Zealand on 28th March 1860, when a party of Naval officers, Seamen and Marines, from his ship, stormed a pass during operations against rebelling Maoris. He was the first person to enter the pass under extremely heavy fire, assisting in the hauling down of the enemy colours.
Additional information:. He later became a Quartermaster in the Coast Guard Service.

O'HEA, Timothy. (reg No. 941).
Private. 1st Battalion. Rifle Brigade *
London Gazetted on the 1st June 1867.
Born in 1846 at Skull, Bantry, County Cork, Ireland.
Disappeared in November 1876 in Sturt's Desert, Queensland, Australia.
Memorial in Danville Town Hall, Quebec and on the Rifle Brigade Memorial, Winchester Cathedral.
Digest of Citation reads:
For conspicuous conduct, on the 19th June 1866, on the occasion of a fire on a railway car that contained 2000lbs of ammunition, between Quebec and Montreal. On the Grand trunk Railway, at Danville Station an alarm was given that a railway carriage was on fire. The sergeant, who had been holding the keys, had them taken from his hand by Private O'Hea, who then rushed to the car, and on opening it, called for water and a ladder. Due to his fine example the fire was suppressed.
* Prince Consort's Own Rifle Brigade.
Additional information:. As this act by Private 0'Hea was not performed against an enemy, he could not be originally awarded the Victoria Cross under Rule 5 of the Royal Warrant. However, on August 10th, 1858 a new clause was added to the Warrant,under which Private O'Hea was able to receive the award.

O'KELLY, Christopher Patrick John. (reg No.942).
Captain. 52nd Battalion. Manitoba Regiment. Canadian Expeditionary Force.
London Gazetted on 11th January 1918.
Born on 18th November 1895 at Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Died on 15th November 1922 at Lac Seul, Ontario, Canada.
Memorial on grave at Lac Seul, Ontario, Canada.
Digest of Citation reads:
At Passchendaele in Belgium, on 26th October 1917, Captain O'Kelly led his company with extraordinary skill and determination. After the failure of the original attack and two companies, that belonged to his unit, had launched an attack, Captain O'Kelly advanced over 1000 yards with his command under extremely heavy fire, not being covered by an artillery barrage and took the enemy posts situated at the crest of the hill by storm. Captain O'Kelly organised his men and led them in a series of attacks against enemy pillboxes. His company captured six pillboxes, 100 of the enemy and 10 machine-guns. Later, during the afternoon, Captain O'Kelly, again leading his company, repelled a fierce enemy counter attack, during which they took more prisoners. During the night he and his company captured a hostile raiding party consisting of one officer, 10 men and a machine-gun. The success of these actions was due mainly to the magnificent courage, daring and capability of Captain O'Kelly.
Additional information:. Major O'Kelly also held the Military Cross (MC).
More to be added.

O'LEARY, Michael. (reg No. 943).
Lance-Corporal. 1st Battalion Irish Guards.
London Gazetted on 18th February 1915.
Born on 29th September 1888 at Macroom, Inchigeela, County Cork, Ireland.
Died on 2nd August 1961 at London.
Memorial on grave in Paddington Cemetery, Mill Hill, London.
Digest of Citation reads:
When forming one of the storming party at Cuinchy, France, on the 1st February 1915, which advanced against the enemy barricades, Lance-Corporal O'Leary crossed to the fore and alone killed five Germans who were holding the first barricade. He went on to attack a second barricade, 60 yards further along and after killing three of the enemy, captured it and took two prisoners. By his action, he practically captured the enemy positions by himself, he also prevented the rest of the attacking party from being fired upon by the enemy.
Additional information:. Major O'Leary also held Cross of the Order of St George, Third-Class of Russia. He was mentioned in Despatches twice, in 1914 and again in 1915. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant in the Connaught Rangers.
Michael O'Leary had been in the Royal Navy before joining the Irish Guards. After serving seven years he left for Canada. Here he joined the Royal Canadian North-West Mounted Police
At the outbreak of the European War (WW I) he rejoined the Irish Guards. By November 1914 he held the rank of Lance-Corporal and was serving in France.
He served in the Second World War from 1940-44 with the Middlesex Regiment and with the Pioneer Corps from 1944-45
More to be added.

OLPHERTS, William. (reg No. 944).
Captain. Bengal Artillery.
London Gazetted on 18th June 1858.
Born on 8th March 1822 at Dartrey, County Armagh, Ireland.
Died on the 30th April, 1902 at Upper Norwood, London.
Memorial on grave at Richmond Cemetery, Surrey.
Digest of Citation reads:
For highly distinguished Conduct when the troops penetrated into the City of Lucknow, India on the 25th September, 1857 having charged in on horseback with the 90th Regiment, headed by Colonel Campbell. They captured two guns in the face of heavy enemy grape fire, and having returned to bring up limbers and horses in order to carry off the captured equipment had galloped in under severe heavy musketry fire, he succeeded.
Captain Olpherts was elected under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant by his fellow officers.
Additional information:. General Sir William Olpherts was created a Knight Grand Cross of the Bath (GCB). In 1888 he was Colonel Commandant of the Royal Artillery.
More to be added.

O'MEARA, Martin. (reg No. 945).
Private. 16th Battalion. * Australian Imperial Force.
London Gazetted on 5th September 1916.
Born on the 31st of December 1882 at Curcragha, Terryglass, County Tipperary, Ireland.
Died on 20th December 1935 at Claremont, Perth, Western Australia.
Memorial on grave at Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth and also on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.
Digest of Citation reads:
Between the dates 9th/12th August 1916, during the four-days of very heavy fighting at Posieres, France, Private O'Meara repeatedly went out into No-Man's-Land under intense enemy artillery and machine-gun fire to bring in wounded officers and men. He volunteered and carried ammunition and bombs through, an extremely heavy enemy barrage, to an area where the trenches were being heavily shelled by the enemy. His action, throughout this period, where he showed an absolute disregard for any danger for himself undoubtedly saved many lives.
* South Australia and West Australia Battalion.
Additional information:. Private Martin O'Meara (Army No. 3970) had been employed as a Sleeper Layer on the Australian railway prior to joining the Army.

O'NEILL, * John. (reg No. 946).
Sergeant. 2nd Battalion. Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment.
London Gazetted on 26th December 1918.
Born on 11th February 1897 at Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Died on 16th October 1942 at Hoylake, Cheshire.
Memorial on grave at the Holy Trinity Churchyard, Hoylake, Cheshire.
Digest of Citation reads:
For most conspicuous bravery on 14th October 1918, near Moorseele, Belgium, when his company's advance was checked by two enemy machine-guns and a field battery that was firing over open sights. Leading a charge consisting of himself and 11 men against the battery, they captured four field guns, two machine guns and took 16 prisoners. On the 20th October 1918 Sergeant O'Neill and one other man charged an enemy machine-gun position, routing approximately 100 of the enemy and causing many casualties. Throughout these operations he showed the most outstanding courage and powers of leadership.
* or O'NIELL.
Additional information:. Lieutenant John O'Neill also held a Military Medal (M M), and the Médaille Militaire of France. During the Second World War he served in the Pioneer Corps.

ONIONS, George. (reg No. 947).
Lance-Corporal. 1st Battalion. Devonshire Regiment.
London Gazetted on 14th December 1918.
Born on 2nd March 1883 and Bilston, Staffordshire.
Died on 2nd April 1944 at Birmingham.
Memorial unknown.
Digest of Citation reads:
Having been sent out, with another man, to contact the Battalion on the right flank on 22nd August 1918 at Achiet-lePetit, France, Lance-Corporal Onions observed the enemy advancing in great numbers. At once, realising the opportunity, he placed himself and his comrade on the flank of the advancing enemy, and when the target was most favourable opened with rapid fire against them. At 100 yards, the enemy line wavered and several hands were seen to be raised in surrender. With the assistance of his comrade, Lance-Corporal Onions took approximately 200 prisoners, returning with them to his company commander.
Additional information:. Major George Onions VC saw previous service with the 3rd Hussars Reserve Regiment in the Irish Rebellion in Dublin, Easter 1916. Also with the 3rd King's Own Hussars and 1st Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment in Belgium and France in 1915-1918.

ORMSBY, John William. (reg No. 948).
Sergeant. 2nd Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
London Gazetted on 8th June 1917.
V.C., Medal's Custodian is The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Regimental Museum (Doncaster).
Born on 11th January 1881 at Dewsbury, Yorkshire.
Died on 29th July 1952 at Dewsbury, Yorkshire.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads:
On 14th April, 1917 at Favet, 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.
Additional information:. Sergeant Ormsby also held the Military Medal (MM).

O'ROURKE, Michael James. (reg No. 949).
Private. 7th Battalion. British Columbia Regiment. Canadian Expeditionary Force.
London Gazetted on 8th November 1917.
Born on 19th March 1878 at Limerick, Ireland.
Died on 6th December 1957 at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Memorial on grave at Forest Lawn Burial Park, North Burnaby, British Columbia.
Digest of Citation reads:
Private O'Rourke was a stretcher bearer, who during the period 15th/17th August, 1917, worked continuously for the three days and nights bringing in the wounded to safety, dressing their wounds and supplying them with food and drink. During the whole of this period at Hill 60, Lens, France, the area around where he worked was continuously shelled and swept by heavy machine gun and rifle fire. He was, on several occasions, knocked from his feet and even partially buried by enemy shells. Seeing a blinded comrade, who was being sniped at by the enemy, stumbling around ahead of their trench, Private O'Rourke immediately leapt out and went to his aid, bringing the man back, all the time under sniper fire. On a later occasion he went forward once more, a distance of 50 yards ahead of our barrage: all the time under heavy and accurate fire from enemy machine guns and snipers and brought in another wounded comrade. Once again, when the posts were retired to consolidate, he made his way out, again under extremely heavy fire, to bring in a wounded man who'd been left behind. He showed an absolute disregard for his own safety whilst going to the aid of the wounded in spite of his own exhaustion and being continuously under heavy fire from the enemy.

OSBORN, John Robert. (reg No. 950).
Warrant Officer 1st Battalion. Winnipeg Grenadiers. Canadian Infantry Corps.
London Gazetted on the 2nd April 1946.
Born on 2nd January 1899 at Foulden, near Thetford, Norfolk.
Killed in action on 19th December 1941 at Mount Butler, Hong Kong.
Memorial on the Sai Wan Bay Memorial, Hong Kong and also Osborn Barracks, Hong Kong.
Digest of Citation reads:
During the attack on Mount Butler, Hong Kong on the 19th December 1941 a section of the company led by Sergeant-Major Osborn captured and held a hill until the position became untenable. He helped the stragglers to the new company position and whilst covering their retirement he was exposed to the enemy. Later, when the enemy were hurling grenades at them, he picked up one and threw it back at the enemy. One grenade landed in a position where it was impossible to retrieve it and return it in time. Sergeant-Major Osborn shouted a warning to his comrades, then threw himself to bodily cover the grenade, which exploded. He was killed instantly.
OSBORNE, James. (reg No. 951).
Private. 2nd Battalion. Northamptonshire Regiment.
London Gazetted on 14th March 1882.
Born on 13th April 1857 at Wiggington, Tring, Hertfordshire.
Died on 2nd February 1928 near Tring, Hertfordshire.
Memorial unknown.
Digest of Citation reads:
On the 22nd February 1881, Private Osborne rode under extremely heavy fire, towards a party of more than 40 Boers, he then picked up Private Mayes, who had been lying wounded, and carried him safely back into the camp at Wesselstroom, South Africa.

O'SULLIVAN, Gerald Robert. (reg No. 952).
Captain. 1st Battalion. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
London Gazetted on the 1st September 1915.
Born on 8th November 1888 at Frankfield, Douglas, County Cork, Ireland.
Killed in action on 21st August 1915 on Hill 70, Suvla, Gallipoli.
Memorial on Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.
Digest of Citation reads:
For most conspicuous bravery on the Gallipoli peninsula. On the night of the 1st/2nd July, 1915, it was essential that a portion of the trench should be retaken. Captain O'Sullivan volunteered to lead a party of bomb throwers to effect the recapture. He advanced under very heavy fire, into the open in order to deliver his bombs with more effect, in doing so he mounted the Parapet where he was completely exposed to enemy fire from the occupants of the trench. He was finally wounded but his inspiring example had encouraged his party to make further efforts, resulting in the recapture of the trench.
On the night on the 18th-19th June, 1915, Captain O'Sullivan, in the same locality, by his personal gallantry and leadership, saved a critical situation.
Additional information:. Captain O'Sullivan was the son of Lieutenant Colonel George Lidwill and Charlotte O'Sullivan. He was educated at Wimbledon College (private tutors) and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, where he was commissioned on 9th May 1909. He was present during the Chinese rebellion 1911-12 with the first Battalion of his regiment. He landed in the Dardanelles on 20th April 1915. He was severely wounded on the 1st July 1915.
After leading his men in an attack on Hill 70 at Suvla, Gallipoli on 21st August 1915 he was reported missing

O'TOOLE Edmund (Reg. No. 953)
Sergeant (later Captain) Cape Frontier Light Horse South African Forces
London Gazetted on 9th October 1879
Born on: Date unknown in Grahamstown, South Africa
Died on: 1891 at Salsbury Rhodesia.
Memorials not Known.
Citation reads.
On 3 July 1879 at Ulundi, Zululand, during the retirement of a reconnoitring party, a Captain* of the 9th Lancers went to the assistance of an NCO of the 24th Regiment whose horse had fallen and rolled on him. The Zulus were coming up quickly in great numbers, but the officer, with the help of Sergeant O'Toole , managed to mount the injured man behind him. He was, however, so dizzy that the sergeant, who had been keeping back the enemy, gave up his carbine and rode alongside to hold him on. They all finally reached safety.
* Captain Lord William Leslie de la Poer BERESFORD.
Additional information: O'Toole was the first South African-Born on man serving with a South African unit under British Command to win the VC.
Mrs Stuart-Menzies in her "Recollections of Lord Beresford," wrote, that when Captain Lord Beresford had ridden to the rescue of Sergeant FitzMaurice from the Zulus, getting him away on his own horse, the enemy hot on their tails. Just when Lord Beresford felt that he could no longer support the Sergeant on the horse help came from Sergeant O'Toole who had been giving support by shooting Zulus, one after the other, as they came within the range of his revolver. The Sergeant had seen Beresford's problem and rode up to give support by riding at their side and supporting FitzMaurice. They managed to ride to safety.
FitzMaurice, at first refused help, fearing that Captain Beresford should lose his life. It is of Interest that Beresford and FitzMaurice were Irish, O'Toole was also Irish and so was the horse that carried them both to safety. Bersesford was Born on at Mullaghbrack, Markethill, Co. Armagh.
There is no information on O'Toole's family, apart from the fact that they were Irish, or his actual dates of birth and death..

OWENS, James. (reg No 954).
Corporal. 49th Regiment *.
London Gazetted on 24th February, 1857.
Born in 1829 at Killaine, Baileyboro, County Cavan, Ireland.
Died on 20th August 1901 at Romford in Essex.
Memorial unknown.
Digest of Citation reads:
Corporal OWENS distinguished himself on 30th October 1854 in personal encounter with the Russians. He nobly assisted Major Connolly of the Coldstream Guards.
* Princess Charlotte of Wales' Royal Berkshire Regiment.
Additional information:. Sergeant OWENS was present at the Battles of Alma, Inkerman and Sebastopol, receiving the Medal with Clasps for each of the aforementioned Battles. He died on 20th August 1901 at the age of 75. His obituary appeared in the Times two days later.

OXENHAM, William. (reg No. 955).
Corporal. 32nd Regiment *
London Gazetted on the 21st November, 1859.
Born in July 1824 at Tiverton, Devon.
Died on the 29th December, 1874 at Exeter, Devon.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads:
For Distinguished bravery shown by Corporal Oxenham on 30th June 1857 in the saving of the life of Mr Capper of the Bengal Civil Service. Corporal Oxenham worked to extract Mr Capper from the ruins of a verandah which had fallen on him after being brought down by enemy fire. All the time the corporal was exposed to extremely heavy fire.
* Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.
Additional information:. Mr Capper wrote that he owed his life to Captain Anderson of the 25th Native Infantry, who had shamed the others* into action and that he felt, otherwise, that no effort would have been made to rescue him. He felt sure that Anderson had been exposed to the same heavy fire as Oxenham.
The others consisted of Monsieur Geoffroi, a Frenchman; Signor Barsatelli, an Italian; two Englishmen from the Post Office Garrison, Messrs. Lincoln and Chick
Anderson was recommended for the Victoria Cross in 1868, but it was never bestowed upon him.
Corporal Oxenham's Victoria Cross was sold, along with six others, in November 1910 for £77.

Updated:28.4.03

Updated:15.1.03