The Victoria Cross is the highest award which the nation can bestow and is awarded for most conspicuous bravery, self-sacrifice and devotion to duty and fellow comrades. The Victoria Cross had its origins back in the Crimean War and was the first award for the common soldier for bravery in the field of battle. Before this it was only high ranking officers who were awarded and kind of medals as it was thought that due to there outstanding leadership that lead there men to achieve victory and feats of bravery.
All Victoria Cross's are made from bronze that came from a captured Chinese made cannon used by the Russians troops at Sebastopol during the Crimean War. What is remains of the cannon metal is kept at the army base at Donnington, in Shropshire. Today, there is only enough metal left for 80 more medals. The jewelry firm Hancocks of London, are the only makers the medals.
There is seven medals in storage, these are kept for future recipients. They have no value until they are awarded to any of the armed forces and inscribed with a name & number. From the original cannon there is estimated to be only enough bronze left to make around 80 more medals but with the metal been so hard to work with the figure could be lower than this? Today and estimated value of one of these rare medals could expect to change hand for anything in excess of a quarter of a million pounds sterling. These are so rare that only 634 VC’s were awarded in world war one and just 182 in world war two.
Two men who achieved this prestigious honour were William Jones and George Stringer.
All Victoria Cross's are made from bronze that came from a captured Chinese made cannon used by the Russians troops at Sebastopol during the Crimean War. What is remains of the cannon metal is kept at the army base at Donnington, in Shropshire. Today, there is only enough metal left for 80 more medals. The jewelry firm Hancocks of London, are the only makers the medals.
There is seven medals in storage, these are kept for future recipients. They have no value until they are awarded to any of the armed forces and inscribed with a name & number. From the original cannon there is estimated to be only enough bronze left to make around 80 more medals but with the metal been so hard to work with the figure could be lower than this? Today and estimated value of one of these rare medals could expect to change hand for anything in excess of a quarter of a million pounds sterling. These are so rare that only 634 VC’s were awarded in world war one and just 182 in world war two.
Two men who achieved this prestigious honour were William Jones and George Stringer.
Private 593- William Jones - 2nd Battalion - 24th Regiment of foot, late South Wales Boarders
Son of late James Jones, born abt 1839 , as to where exactly there are many conflicting theories to this, Bristol, Birmingham & even Evesham area of Worcestershire. He was awarded his for his valour in the Anglo-Zulu war at Rorke's Drift, Natal, on 22-23 January 1879. He was awarded the V.C. at Windsor Castle on 13th January 1880 by Queen Victoria.
William Jones married Elizabeth Frodsham on 11th July 1901 after both had been previously widowed. William was first admitted to Bridge Street Workhouse in 1910. William Jones died on 15th April 1913 at 6 Brompton Street, Ardwick and was buried on 21st April 1913 aged 73. He is buried in church of England section part of the cemetery, grave number: D-887. This is a communal/public grave. A plague was erected on the chapel wall to commemorate him but as the chapel fell in to disrepair, the plaque was stored away for safe keeping and in 2011 a new stone with the plaque on was erected in the cemetery ground. William Jones was also awarded the South Africa Medal 25th Sept 1877 Long Service /Good Conduct Medal ' 1830 ' Awarded on 1st July 1879. The Victoria cross medal is held at South Wales Borderers Museum, Brecon, Wales. Hi L.S./G.C.medal is as far as we can find is held by a family member?
Exerts from the Gazette
Victoria cross - Heroes rewarded. - The war office 2nd May 1879.
The queen has been graciously please to signify her intention to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned officers and soldiers of Her Majesty's army, whose claims have been submitted for Her Majesty's approval for their gallant conduct in defence of Rourke's Drftion on the occasion of the attack by the Zulus as recorded by there names:
Private William Jones & Private Robert Jones defended the post to the last, until six out of the seven patients it contained had been removed. The seventh, Sergeant Maxfield , 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment. delirious from fever. Although they had previously dressed him, they were unable to induce him to move. When Private Robert Jones returned to endeavour to carry him away, he found him been stabbed by the Zulus as he lay in his bed.
Son of late James Jones, born abt 1839 , as to where exactly there are many conflicting theories to this, Bristol, Birmingham & even Evesham area of Worcestershire. He was awarded his for his valour in the Anglo-Zulu war at Rorke's Drift, Natal, on 22-23 January 1879. He was awarded the V.C. at Windsor Castle on 13th January 1880 by Queen Victoria.
William Jones married Elizabeth Frodsham on 11th July 1901 after both had been previously widowed. William was first admitted to Bridge Street Workhouse in 1910. William Jones died on 15th April 1913 at 6 Brompton Street, Ardwick and was buried on 21st April 1913 aged 73. He is buried in church of England section part of the cemetery, grave number: D-887. This is a communal/public grave. A plague was erected on the chapel wall to commemorate him but as the chapel fell in to disrepair, the plaque was stored away for safe keeping and in 2011 a new stone with the plaque on was erected in the cemetery ground. William Jones was also awarded the South Africa Medal 25th Sept 1877 Long Service /Good Conduct Medal ' 1830 ' Awarded on 1st July 1879. The Victoria cross medal is held at South Wales Borderers Museum, Brecon, Wales. Hi L.S./G.C.medal is as far as we can find is held by a family member?
Exerts from the Gazette
Victoria cross - Heroes rewarded. - The war office 2nd May 1879.
The queen has been graciously please to signify her intention to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned officers and soldiers of Her Majesty's army, whose claims have been submitted for Her Majesty's approval for their gallant conduct in defence of Rourke's Drftion on the occasion of the attack by the Zulus as recorded by there names:
Private William Jones & Private Robert Jones defended the post to the last, until six out of the seven patients it contained had been removed. The seventh, Sergeant Maxfield , 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment. delirious from fever. Although they had previously dressed him, they were unable to induce him to move. When Private Robert Jones returned to endeavour to carry him away, he found him been stabbed by the Zulus as he lay in his bed.
In June 1921 William Jones Victoria Cross was sold for 100 pounds, this equates to nearly 5,000 pounds today ( £4,927.46 )
Private - 15818 - George Stringer - 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment.
George Albert Stringer born 24th July 1889 to George and Esther Hewitt Stringer nee Pendleton of 146 Cheltenham street MilesPlatting. George Albert Stringer married Florence Thornhill on 7th March 1908 at Albert Memorial Church, Collyhurst, Manchester. George Stringer died at Oldham general hospital on 22nd November 1957, at this time his home address was 203 Oldham road, Failsworth. He was buried on 16th of November 1957 at Philips park cemetery. He is buried in the church of England section of the cemetery, grave number: M-1826. Also buried in this grave with George Albert Stringer are: Esther Hewitt Stringer, Florence Maria Stringer and Frederick Lee.
George Stringer's brother, James William Stringer also served in world war one and made the ultimate sacrifice for his king,country and family. James William Stringer born 26th May 1887 at 8 Drake street MilesPlating. Married to Ada Stringer nee Knipe on 23rd Feb 1913 at Christ Church, Harpurhey. Corporal 10068 - 20th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps., Died age 29 on 20th July 1916, he grave is at Saint Pol Communal Cemetery Extension , Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. His home address at this time was, 24 Levens street, off Lightbourne road, Moston.
Corporal James Stringer, Royal Flying Corps, before he met with his death had the distinction of bringing down three Fokker aeroplanes.
Citation For most conspicuous bravery and determination.
Private George Stringer, on 8th March 1916 at Es Sinn, Mesopotamia, after an enemy position had been captured, was posted on the extreme right of the Battalion in order to guard against any surprise hostile attack. His battalion was subsequently forced back by an enemy counter-attack, but Private Stringer held his ground single-handed and kept back the enemy till all his hand grenades were expended. His very gallant stand saved the flank of his battalion and rendered a steady withdrawal possible.
This is a list of medals Private Geroge Stringer was entitlement to: Victoria Cross , 1914 - 15 Star , British War Medal , Victory Medal + Mid Oakleaf , Obilitch Medal for Bravery, King George VI Coronation Medal & Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal .
All his medals are kept at the Manchester Regiment Museum, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire.
George Albert Stringer born 24th July 1889 to George and Esther Hewitt Stringer nee Pendleton of 146 Cheltenham street MilesPlatting. George Albert Stringer married Florence Thornhill on 7th March 1908 at Albert Memorial Church, Collyhurst, Manchester. George Stringer died at Oldham general hospital on 22nd November 1957, at this time his home address was 203 Oldham road, Failsworth. He was buried on 16th of November 1957 at Philips park cemetery. He is buried in the church of England section of the cemetery, grave number: M-1826. Also buried in this grave with George Albert Stringer are: Esther Hewitt Stringer, Florence Maria Stringer and Frederick Lee.
George Stringer's brother, James William Stringer also served in world war one and made the ultimate sacrifice for his king,country and family. James William Stringer born 26th May 1887 at 8 Drake street MilesPlating. Married to Ada Stringer nee Knipe on 23rd Feb 1913 at Christ Church, Harpurhey. Corporal 10068 - 20th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps., Died age 29 on 20th July 1916, he grave is at Saint Pol Communal Cemetery Extension , Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. His home address at this time was, 24 Levens street, off Lightbourne road, Moston.
Corporal James Stringer, Royal Flying Corps, before he met with his death had the distinction of bringing down three Fokker aeroplanes.
Citation For most conspicuous bravery and determination.
Private George Stringer, on 8th March 1916 at Es Sinn, Mesopotamia, after an enemy position had been captured, was posted on the extreme right of the Battalion in order to guard against any surprise hostile attack. His battalion was subsequently forced back by an enemy counter-attack, but Private Stringer held his ground single-handed and kept back the enemy till all his hand grenades were expended. His very gallant stand saved the flank of his battalion and rendered a steady withdrawal possible.
This is a list of medals Private Geroge Stringer was entitlement to: Victoria Cross , 1914 - 15 Star , British War Medal , Victory Medal + Mid Oakleaf , Obilitch Medal for Bravery, King George VI Coronation Medal & Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal .
All his medals are kept at the Manchester Regiment Museum, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire.
©2011, Manchester & Salford family history forum™ All Rights Reserved. 13-18. 13-9-7-11-25.