25th SEPTEMBER 1915 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

Battle of Loos, France, 1915

This was the main British offensive of 1915 and the first time gas was used by them. 1, 2, 4 and 9 RWF were involved. 1 RWF was affected by gas before leaving its trenches and lost over 450 men overall. 2 RWF was in support but had 123 casualties. The 9th Battalion advanced through almost impenetrable wire, gas, and MG fire from both flanks. The CO, three company commanders and the adjutant were killed. Overall casualties totaled 250. The only battalion to have any success was the 1st.

20th SEPTEMBER 1854 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

Sgt Luke O’Connor won VCs at The Alma, Crimea, 1854

During the assault on the Russian lines Sgt Luke O’Connor, although badly wounded, took up the Regimental Colour and, dashing forward planted it on the Redoubt above the Alma River. Sgt O’Connor received the Victoria Cross and was commissioned in the field. O’Connor went on to gain the rank of Major General and served as Colonel of the Regiment before his death in 1915.

20th SEPTEMBER 1854 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

Capt EWD Bell won VCs at The Alma, Crimea, 1854

During the assault on the Russian lines, Captain Bell, seeing that one of the Russian guns was being withdrawn more slowly than the rest, captured it single-handed and galloped to the rear. Later, he led the 23rd out of the battle as the most senior uninjured officer left on the field. Captain Bell was one of the first recipients of the Victoria Cross.

18th September 1918 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

L/Sgt H Waring won a VC

At Epéhy 25th (Montgomery and Welch Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, RWF was checked in its advance on Ronssoy in France when the artillery barrage lifted and it was exposed to very heavy fire. Waring ‘led an attack against enemy MGs ... and, in the face of devastating fire ... rushed a strong point, bayoneting four of the garrison and capturing 20 with their guns. L/Sgt Waring then, under heavy shell and MG fire ... inspired them for another 400 yards, when he fell mortally wounded ...’. He received a posthumous VC.