Alfred James Terence Fleming-Sandes

Alfred James Terence Fleming-Sandes VC (24 June 1894-24 May 1961) 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 21 years old, and a temporary second lieutenant in the 2nd 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 29 September 1915 at the Hohenzollern Redoubt, France, Second Lieutenant Fleming-Sandes was sent to command a company which was in a very critical position. His men, very much shaken by continual bombing and machine-gun fire, were beginning to retire, but the second lieutenant collected a few bombs and jumping on the parapet in full view of the Germans, only convert|20|yd away, threw them. Although severely wounded almost at once, he continued to advance and throw bombs until he was again wounded. This act put new heart into his men and saved the situation.

Further information

When the original citation was printed in the London "Gazette" (Issue 29371, dated 18 Nov 1915, published 16 Nov 1918), his first name was given as Arthur. An Amendment printed in London "Gazette" issue 29381 (published 26 Nov 1915) corrected this to Alfred.

He later achieved the rank of major.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment (Queens and Royal Hampshires) "(Dover Castle, England)".

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*VCs of the First World War - The Western Front 1915 (Peter F. Batchelor & Christopher Matson, 1999)

External links

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