Highlanders VC winner enters Super League Players’ Hall of Honour The Commanding Officer of The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland has accepted a special commemorative cap and certificate as Thomas Steele, a Victoria Cross winner who served with the Seaforth Highlanders, was officially inducted into a Rugby League ‘Hall of Honour’ at a ceremony held in Catterick Garrison. League 13, the Super League players association, decided that to mark the 100 year anniversary of the start of World War One, they would recognise the three professional Rugby League players who were awarded the Victoria Cross for their great acts of bravery during the conflict. Thomas Steele (Broughton Rangers) is the third of these inductees. He was awarded the Victoria Cross ‘For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty’ during the British advance on Sannai-I-Yat, Mesopotamia (now Iraq) on the 22 Feb 1917 as a Sergeant in the 1st Seaforth Highlanders. The Citation for his Victoria Cross , which was read out to the SCOTS company in training at Catterick, reads: “At a critical moment when a strong enemy counter-attack had temporarily regained some of the captured trenches, Sgt. Steele rushed forward and assisted a comrade to carry a machine gun into position. He kept the gun in action until relieved, being mainly instrumental in keeping the remainder of the line intact. Some hours later another strong attack enabled the enemy to reoccupy a portion of the captured trenches. Again Sgt. Steele showed the greatest bravery, and by personal valour and example was able to rally troops who were wavering. He encouraged them to remain in their trenches and led a number of them forward, thus greatly helping to re-establish our line. On this occasion he was severely wounded. These acts of valour were performed under heavy artillery and rifle fire.” His Victoria Cross was presented to him by King George on the 10 Apr 1919 at Buckingham Palace. The commemorative cap was presented by Ernie Benbow, Chief Executive of League 13, to Lt Col Drummond MBE, Commanding Officer of The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland. Lt Col Drummond said: “We in The Highlanders are incredibly proud of our heritage and the common bond we share with those the Scottish infantry soldiers who served in our antecedent Regiments, including the Seaforth Highlanders. It is a privilege to receive this award from League 13 on behalf of Thomas Steele VC and we will ensure it is placed where the story of his bravery and sporting feats can inspire current, and future, generations of Highlanders.” Photos courtesy of League 13.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 13:14:43 +0000
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