Brave acts remembered
Maidenhead local and Legion magazine reader, Bridget Hole, would like to challenge her fellow Legion members. She wants to know if any other people live in a town where its residents, at any one time, have been awarded more than four Victoria Crosses.
Clearly, it is not just Maidenhead’s famous railway bridge – which had arches that were once the widest and flattest in the world – that makes the town special. Four of its residents received the VC for outstanding acts of bravery, which is the highest military honour one can be awarded. Here, you can read the stories of all four heroes, as told by Mrs Hole:
1858. INDIAN MUTINY
Lt. COLONEL HARRY HAMMON LYSTER VC. CB. CMG. 1830-1922
Harry served with the 72nd Bengal Native Infantry (Central Indian Field Force). His VC was awarded for his actions at Calpee on 23 May 1858 during the Indian Mutiny, just two years after the medal was created. Harry was in lone charge and, with no thought for his own safety, he broke the ranks of the skirmishing rebels. He was three times mentioned in despatches during his service in the Afghan war of 1878-1880. Harry also led a troop of Ghurkhas and his campaign for better conditions for them is thought to be the reason for his being offered the VC. Harry was not only the oldest living VC, but the oldest Special Constable, having been in service during the Chartist Riots. Harry died aged 92 at his London residence, in Regents Park, on 1 February 1922. He is buried in the churchyard of St. James the Less, Stubbings, Nr. Maidenhead alongside his wife, Caroline Matilda, who died in 1895. His medals are in the Lord Ashcroft collection,
It is interesting to note that Harry’s nephew, Major General Hamilton Lyster Reed was also awarded a VC, and other medals, for bravery in the Boer (South African) war.
The second Maidenhead VC came two years later:
1860 CHINA-BOXER WARS
MAJOR GENERAL ROBERT MONTRESSOR ROGERS. VC. CB. 1835-1895
Robert joined the army at the age of 21 and served in the Crimea, where he was awarded a clasp and bar for outstanding bravery at the Siege of Sebastopol. He also served in India. On 21 August 1860, at the age of 25, while serving with the Regiment of Foot, he was awarded the VC for his part in the capture of Taku Fort. With two other soldiers, Pte John McDonald and Lt Edmund Lennon, he swam across flooded ditches and entered the fort through a small aperture.
Robert died at his home on 5 February 1895, aged 61. His funeral, at All Saints church, Boyne Hill, was an impressive event that was attended by many old service comrades. The whereabouts of Robert’s medals is unknown.
The third Maidenhead VC was awarded in WW1:
1915 WW1
MAJOR WILLIAM THOMAS FORSHAW VC. 1890-1943
‘The Cigarette VC’
William was a teacher in civilian life, a noted athlete and a musician. At the outbreak of WW1, he enlisted with the Manchester Regiment. By May 1915, he was a 2nd Lieutenant and serving in the Dardanelles. William was awarded the VC for ‘conspicuous bravery and determination’ at Suvla Bay, The Vineyard, Gallipoli on the 7-9 of August 1915, aged 25. The citation says that for 41hrs he continued to light handmade bombs with his cigarette and hurl them at the Turks. At the end of the battle he was badly bruised, had been hit by shrapnel and was choked and sickened by bomb fumes. William was a soldier to the end; when war was again declared, in 1939, he joined the Home Guard and served until his death. He died at his home in Holyport on the 26 May 1943, aged 53. His death came in the troubled days of WW2 and his grave in the churchyard of Holy Trinity Church, Touchen End (the church has since been demolished) was left unmarked. In 1994, historian Tom Medcroft located the site of his grave, and his regiment, The Kings Regt, (Manchester and Liverpool) erected a fitting memorial. His medals are kept at the Manchester Regimental Museum.
Later in WW1, the fourth Maidenhead VC was awarded:
1918 WW1
CAPTAIN THOMAS TANNATT PRYCE VC. MC AND BAR.1886-1918
Thomas played for Maidenhead Cricket Club and was a member of the Maidenhead Volunteers. When war was declared in 1914, he was one of the first to enlist. He joined the Hon. Artillery Company on 25 August 1914 and in November 1915 he was awarded a commission in the Gloucester Regt. While serving with this regiment, Thomas was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry, and in July 1916 he was awarded a bar to this for further gallantry. Thomas transferred to the Grenadier Guards in September 1916. He was awarded the VC for his actions at Vieux Berquin, France, on 13 April 1918, where he was killed, aged 32. With about 40 men under his command, he fought back the enemy, engaging them in fierce hand-to-hand fighting against overwhelming odds; he continued to push forward even after he was grievously wounded. Thomas left a wife, Margaret, and three young daughters and he has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Berkshire Cemetery Extension, Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainault in Belgium and his medals are kept at the Grenadier Guards HQ in Wellington Barracks, London.
