Albert Edward Shepherd

Albert Edward Shepherd
Born 11 January 1897
Royston, Yorkshire
Died 23 October 1966 (aged 69)
Royston
Buried at Royston Cemetery
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service 1915 - 1919
Rank Corporal
Unit King's Royal Rifle Corps
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Victoria Cross

Albert Edward Shepherd VC (11 January 1897 – 23 October 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.

He was 20 years old, and a Private in the 12th (S) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, British Army during the First World War when he performed deeds at Villers Plouich, France on 20 November 1917 for which he was awarded the VC.

The Citation

The citation reads:

No. R/15089 Rflmn. Albert Edward Shepherd, K.R.R.C. (Barnsley).

For most conspicuous bravery as a company runner.

When his company was held up by a machine gun at point blank range he volunteered to rush the gun, and, though ordered not to, rushed forward and threw a Mills bomb, killing two gunners and capturing the gun. The company, on continuing its advance, came under heavy enfilade machine gun fire.
When the last officer and the last non-commissioned officer had become casualties, he took command of the company, ordered the men to lie down, and himself went back some seventy yards under severe fire to obtain the help of a tank.
He then returned to his company, and finally led them to their last objective.

He showed throughout conspicuous determination and resource.

— London Gazette, 13 February 1918.[1][2]

He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on 28 August 1916 and became acting Corporal one month later on 28 September 1916.

The Medal

His Victoria Cross medal group is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets Museum (Winchester, England).

References

  1. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30523. p. 2005. 13 February 1918. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 31340. p. 6085. 15 May 1919. Retrieved 15 November 2014.

External links

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