East Hampshire District Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Ben Bentley, has paid tribute to the district’s Victoria Cross winners as part of this year’s Remembrance events.
Cllr Bentley laid a wreath on the graves of four VC winners last week, commemorating some of the district’s bravest servicemen.
The four VC winners buried in East Hampshire are:
Rear-admiral Eric Robinson - Langrish
Won his VC in Gallipoli on the 18 April, 1915. He earned his award by going ashore and single-handedly destroying a Turkish naval gun battery while a lieutenant commander with the fleet stationed off the Dardanelles during the Gallipoli campaign in the First World War.
General Sir Lewis Halliday - Medstead
Won his VC in China on the 24 June, 1900. He was in charge of 20 men engaging the enemy. He was shot at point blank range fracturing his arm and severely damaging a lung. He ordered his troops to carry on without him and he made his own way back to hospital.
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Adlam - Blackmoor
Won his VC on the 27 September, 1916 at Thiepval. Tom was able to collect men and enemy grenades to rush and overthrow a position. He didn't stop there and continued to take positions over the next two days.
Commodore Augustus Agar - Alton
Won his VC on the 17 June, 1919 in the Russian civil war. His boat had been damaged by gunfire and broken down. She had to be taken alongside a breakwater for repairs and for twenty minutes was in full view of the enemy. The attack was then resumed and a Russian cruiser, the 6,645 ton Oleg was sunk.
Cllr Bentley said: “The Victoria Cross is the highest award bestowed for valour in battle. The actions of these brave men, and of the thousands more servicemen and women who gave their lives for this country, protected our shores and defended our way of life.
“It is an honour for me to commemorate their memory by laying a wreath at their headstones on behalf of East Hampshire District Council and everyone who values the sacrifice they have made.”