The V.C.'s-by-Vote Action: the assault at 'Lancashire Landing,' Gallipoli

Dublin Core

Title

The V.C.'s-by-Vote Action: the assault at 'Lancashire Landing,' Gallipoli

Subject

Landing of the 1st Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers at Gallipoli, 25 April 1915.

Description

This image shows the initial phase of the landing of 1st Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, on 25 April 1915. The landing beach was subsequently known as 'Lancashire Landing'.

The regiment won the distinction of awards of the Victoria Cross to two officers and four 'other ranks' during this episode, which is popularly referred to as the 'Six VC's before breakfast'.

The three Victoria Crosses mentioned in the commentary were voted on by officers of the regiment and awarded to:
• Captain ( later Major ) Richard Raymond Willis
• Sergeant Alfred Joseph Richards
• Private William Keneally
Three further Victoria Crosses were later awarded to the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant (Elected by the Regiment), a vote that included all ranks. They were:
• Corporal John Elisha Grimshaw
• Major Cuthbert Bromley ( Posthumous, he drowned after the events depicted )
• Sergeant Frank Edward Stubbs ( Posthumous, he died of wounds after the events depicted)

The drawing calls upon the testimony of an eye-witness: the sub-caption states that the artist was working 'from material supplied by one who took part in the action'. The commentary does not include direct quotation but is worded to provide a sense of immediacy, even though the publication of the image and text took place over four months after the scene depicted.

Creator

Drawing by Samuel Begg (1854-1936)

Source

Illustrated London News, 4 Sept. 1915: 292-293

Publisher

Lancaster University

Date

1915

Contributor

Relation

London Gazette account of the award of the Victoria Crosses to Willis, Richards and Keneally, 24 August 1915: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29273/page/8395
Edinburgh Gazette account of the award of the Victoria Crosses to Grimshaw, Bromley and Stubbs on 15 March 1917, published 20 March 1917:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Edinburgh/issue/13068/page/609

Coverage

Twentieth century, World War One

Still Image Item Type Metadata

Original Format

Drawing published in newspaper, with commentary

Comments

Files

1915 gallipoli lancs fus vcs.jpg
1915 gallipoli lancs fus vcs PRINTABLE.jpg

Citation

Drawing by Samuel Begg (1854-1936) , “The V.C.'s-by-Vote Action: the assault at 'Lancashire Landing,' Gallipoli,” Local History Resources for Schools, accessed March 29, 2024, https://regionalheritage.omeka.net/items/show/30.