William Gregg (soldier)
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William Gregg VC , DCM , MM (27 January 1890 - 10 August 1969) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (British medal of achievement), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
He was 28 years old, and a sergeant in the 13th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own), British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 6 May 1918 at Bucquoy, France, when all the officers of Sergeant Gregg's company had been hit during an attack on an enemy outpost, he took command, rushing two enemy posts, killing some of the gun teams, taking prisoners and capturing a machine-gun. He then started to consolidate his position until driven back by a counter-attack, but as reinforcements had by now come up, he led a charge, personally bombed a hostile machine-gun, killed the crew and captured the gun. When driven back again, he led another successful attack and held on to his position until ordered to withdraw.
[edit] Further information
He later achieved the rank of company sergeant-major.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets Museum (Winchester, England).
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - Spring Offensive 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 1997)
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Derbyshire)
