Victoria Cross, medal set
Report a Mistake- Object Number 19940088-001
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Event
1914-1919 First World War
1937 King George VI Coronation
1939-1945 Second World War
1953 Queen Elizabeth II Coronation
1967 Centennial of Canadian Confederation - Affiliation --
- Artist / Maker / Manufacturer Hancocks & Co. (Jewellers) Ltd.
- Date Made 1915-1967
- Place of Use Continent - Europe, Country - United KingdomContinent - Europe, Country - United Kingdom, Continent - North America, Country - Canada
- Category Communication artifacts
- Sub-category Personal symbol
- Department Arms and Technology
- Museum CWM
- Earliest 1914/01/01
- Latest 1967/12/31
- Inscription (VC/CV): SEC. LIEUT. B.H. GEARY, 4TH BN (ATTACHED 1ST.BN) E.SURREY RT.; 20 & 21. APRIL 1915.; (Star/Étoile): 2.LIEUT: B.H. GEARY; E.SURR:R.; (BWM & VM/MGB & MV): CAPT.B.H.GEARY.; (Commissionaire/Commissionnaires): B. H. GEARY; (bar/barette): 35 YEARS
- Support court mountloose
- Materials Bronze, Silver, Silkworm silk
- Service Component British Expeditionary ForceCanadian Army
- Unit East Surrey Regiment
- Person / Institution Associated Military Personnel, Geary , V.C., Major Benjamin Handley
- Measurements Length 10.2 cm, Width 25.5 cm, Thickness 0.3 cm
- Caption Benjamin Handley GEARY, VC
- Additional Information Geary won the Victoria Cross for actions that occurred between 20 and21 April 1915. His citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and determination on Hill 60, near Ypres, on 20 and 21 April 1915, when he held the left crater with his platoon, some men of the Bedfordshire Regt. and a few reinforcements which came up during the evening and night. The crater was first exposed to a very heavy artillery fire which broke down the defences, and afterwards, during the night, to repeated bomb attacks, which filled it with dead and wounded. Each attack was, however, repulsed, mainly owing to the splendid personal gallantry and example of Second Lieut. Geary. At one time he used a rifle with great effect, at another threw hand grenades, and exposed himself with entire disregard to danger in order to see by the light of the flares where the enemy were coming on. In the intervals between the attacks he spent his whole time arranging for the ammunition supply and for reinforcements. He was severely wounded just before daylight on 21 April."