The diary for the 25th January contains two First World War recipients who were awarded the VC for their actions on the exact same day. The first is Edward Elers Delaval Henderson VC, born in Shimla, India in 1878. On 25th January 1917, on the west bank of the River Hai, Kut, Mesopotamia, he performed the deed that saw him receive the VC. He brought his battalion up to the front line trenches , which were under intense fire, and his battalion began suffering heavy casualties. The enemy were threatening to make a breakthrough and situation became critical. Although wounded in the arm, Lt-Col Henderson jumped onto the parapet and advanced alone some distance in front of his battalion, cheering them on under intense fire over 500 yards of open ground. Again wounded, he continued to lead his men, finally taking the position with a bayonet charge. He was again twice wounded, and sadly died of his wounds later. He is buried in the Amara War Cemetery. His medals are displayed at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, Imperial War Museum, London. The second recipient is Robert Edwin “Bob” Phillips VC, born in West Bromwich, Staffordshire in 1895. On 25th January 1917, near Kut, Mesopotamia, Lt Phillips went to the assistance of his commanding officer, Edward Elers Delaval Henderson VC (see above), who was lying in the open mortally wounded. Lt Phillips went out with a comrade and, under the most intense fire, they succeeded in bringing their commanding officer back to our lines. He died in 1968 and is buried in St Veep Churchyard, Cornwall. His medals are held by the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (Royal Warwickshire) Museum, Warwick.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 08:10:58 +0000
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