Alfred Cecil Herring

Infobox Military Person
name=Alfred Cecil Herring VC


caption=
born=birth date|1888|10|26
died=death date and age|1966|08|10|1888|10|26
placeofbirth=Tottenham, London, England
placeofdeath=Weybridge, Surrey
nickname=
allegiance=British Army
branch=
serviceyears=
rank=
unit=
commands=
battles=
awards=Victoria Cross
relations=
laterwork=

Alfred Cecil Herring VC (26 October 1888- 10 August 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 29 years old, and a temporary second lieutenant in the Royal Army Service Corps, British Army, attached to 6th (S) Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 23 March/24 March 1918 at Montagne Bridge, France, the enemy had gained a position on the south bank of the canal and Second Lieutenant Herring's post was surrounded, but he immediately counter-attacked and recaptured the position, together with 20 prisoners and six machine-guns. During the night the post was continually attacked, but all attacks were beaten off, largely due to the fact that Lieutenant Herring was frequently visiting his men and cheering them up. It was owing to his bravery and magnificent handling of his troops that the enemy advance was held up for 11 hours at a very critical period.

Further information

He was born in Tottenham, North London [GRO Register of Births: DEC 1888 3a 3_7 EDMONTON - Alfred Cecil Herring] .He later achieved the rank of major.

In 2006, a new pub was named after him in North London. [ [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8210-2203893,00.html The Times, City Diary, 2006-05-31] ]

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Logistic Corps Museum "(Camberley, Surrey, England)".

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*VCs of the First World War - Spring Offensive 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 1997)

External links

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

Persondata
NAME=Herring, Alfred Cecil
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Soldier, Victoria Cross recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=1888-10-26
PLACE OF BIRTH=Tottenham, North London, england
DATE OF DEATH=1966-08-10
PLACE OF DEATH=Weybridge, Surrey