John Standish Surtees Prendergast VEREKER, Viscount GORT, VC, Grenadier Guards & General Staff

Viscount Gort Victoria Cross Memorial Paving Stone,Embankment,London





Victoria Cross citation

Captain (Brevet Major, Acting Lieutenant-Colonel), 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards

Citation: For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and devotion to duty during the attack of the Guards Division on 27th September 1918, across the Canal du Nord, near Flesquieres, when in command of the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, the leading battalion of the 3rd Guards Brigade. Under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire he led his battalion with great skill and determination to the "forming-up" ground, where very severe fire from artillery and machine guns was again encountered. Although wounded, he quickly grasped the situation, directed a platoon to proceed down a sunken road to make a flanking attack, and, under terrific fire, went across open ground to obtain the assistance of a Tank, which he personally led and directed to the best possible advantage. While thus fearlessly exposing himself, he was again severely wounded by a shell. Notwithstanding considerable loss of blood, after lying on a stretcher for awhile [sic], he insisted on getting up and personally directing the further attack. By his magnificent example of devotion to duty and utter disregard of personal safety all ranks were inspired to exert themselves to the utmost, and the attack resulted in the capture of over 200 prisoners, two batteries of field guns and numerous machine guns. Lt.-Col. Viscount Gort then proceeded to organise the defence of the captured position until he collapsed; even then he refused to leave the field until he had seen the "success signal" go up on the final objective. The successful advance of the battalion was mainly due to the valour, devotion and leadership of this very gallant officer.[19]

John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort - Wikipedia

 

Casualty
Field Marshal GORT, JOHN STANDISH SURTEES P. V.
Died 31/03/1946
Aged 59
Grenadier Guards and Commands and Staff, General Staff
V C, G C B, C B E, D S O and 2 Bars, M V O, M C, 9 times Mentioned in Despatches
6th Viscount Gort. Son of John Gage Prendergast Vereker, 5th Viscount Gort, and of the Viscountess Gort (nee Surtees), of St. Marylebone, London, and Cowes, Isle of Wight. C.I.G.S. 1937-1939; C. in C. B.E.F. in France and Flanders, 1939-1940; Inspector-General to the Forces for Training and Inspector-General, Home Guard, 1940-1941; Governor and C. in C. Gibraltar, 1941-1942; Governor and C. in C. Malta, 1942-1944; A.D.C. to H.M. King George VI, 1940-1946.

CITATION: The following details regarding the award of the Victoria Cross to Capt. & Bt. Major (A/Lt.-Col.) Viscount Gort, D.S.O., M.V.O., M.C., "for most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and devotion to duty" are given in the London Gazette of 27th November. 1918

On 17th September, 1918, this officer was in charge of 1/Bn. Grenadier Guards during the attack across the Canal du Nord, near Flesquieres. Although wounded he went across open ground under terrific fire to obtain the assistance of a tank, which he led and directed to the best possible advantage. He was again wounded very severely, but after a short rest despite considerable loss of blood, he got up and personally directed a further attack. All ranks were so inspired by his magnificent example of devotion to duty and utter disregard of personal safety that the attack was completely successful. Viscount Gort then organised the defence of the captured position until he collapsed.

Buried at PENSHURST (ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST) CHURCH
Location: Kent, United Kingdom
Number of casualties: 1

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10549759/john-standish_surtees_prendergast-vereker