Harrogate's forgotten Victoria Cross holders honoured

AN OVERLOOKED Harrogate born holder of the Victoria Cross was honoured on Sunday 28th October

2007.

Through research members of Harrogate ‘Victory’ Branch of the Royal British Legion discovered that Sgt Grant of the 5th Regiment of Foot who was just 20 years old in 1857 was awarded the Victoria Cross  for saving the life of a comrade under heavy fire at Alumbagh in India during the Indian Mutiny.

Harrogate Borough Council agreed to place a new plaque at the Town Cenotaph in dedication to Sgt Grant and two other Harrogate born recipients of the Victoria Cross. The other two are Donald Simpson Bell who fought on the Somme in 1916 and Charles Hull, who displayed outstanding courage at Hafiz Kor on the North West Frontier, India in 1915.

The Parade was preceded by a Church service in St Peters Church conducted by Rev Tony Shepherd (Padre to Harrogate ‘Victory’ Branch of the Royal British Legion). Wreaths were laid by representative of the three Regimental Associations of the Victoria Cross Holders as did relatives of Donald Simpson Bell. Wreaths were also laid by The Deputy Mayor, Councilor Jim Clarke, Phil Willis MP, Mr. Charles Allan President of Harrogate ‘Victory’ Branch, and Mr, John Dean Chairman of Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC who Donald Simpson Bell played for as a professional before joining the Army at the start of World War One. together with other military and youth organisation. A Guard of Honour of young soldiers was kindly provided by the Army Foundation College.

The Parade was organised on behalf of Harrogate Borough Council by Gordon Townsley, (Vice Chairman of Harrogate \'Victory\' Branch). Citations were read by Sylvia Marshall (Branch Secretary).

 

Robert Grant VC

Robert Grant VC  (1837 – 23 November 1874) was approximately 20 years old, and a Sergeant in the 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment of Foot (later The Northumberland Fusiliers), during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

On 24 September 1857 at Alumbagh, India, Sergeant Grant went, under very heavy fire, to save the life of a private whose leg had been shot away. With the help of a Lieutenant, Sergeant Grant carried the wounded man to the safety of the camp.

He later became a constable in Y Division, Metropolitan Police, and served until his death in 1874.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers Museum in (Alnwick, Northumberland)

Charles Hull VC

Charles Hull VC  (24 July 1890 – 21 February 1953) was 25 years old and a Private (Shoeing Smith) in the 21st Lancers (Empress of India’s), during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

On 5 September 1915 at Hafiz Kor, North West Frontier, India, Private Hull rescued an officer from certain death at the hands of the tribesmen. The latter’s horse had been shot and Private Hull took the officer up behind on his own horse, under heavy fire at close range, and galloped away to safety.

He later achieved the rank of Corporal.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the, The Queens Royal Lancers Regimental Museum in (Belvoir Castle, Lincolnshire)

   Donald Simpson Bell VC

Donald Simpson Bell VC  (3 December 1890 – 10 July 1916) was 25 years old and commissioned as a  temporary Second Lieutenant in the 9th Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

On 5 July 1916 at Horseshoe Trench, Somme, France, a very heavy enfilade fire was opened on the attacking company by an enemy gun. Second Lieutenant Bell immediately, on his own initiative, crept

up a communication trench, and then, followed by a corporal and a private, rushed across the open under heavy fire and attacked the machinegun, shooting the firer and destroying the gun and personnel

with bombs. This officer lost his life five days later, on 10 July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, performing a very similar act of bravery.

Before the war, he had been a footballer, and as an amateur with Crystal Palace and Newcastle United. In 1912 he turned professional and moved to Bradford (Park Avenue). When World War One  broke out in 1914, he became the first professional footballer to enlist into the British Army.

He is buried at Gordon Dump Cemetery, France. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Green Howard Museum in (Richmond, Yorkshire).  

Photos taken by Andrea Waldron of the Memorial at Bell's Redoubt where he was originally laid to rest and then his final resting place at Gordons Dump CWG.