The official AHF WW1 quiz thread

[Terry Duncan]

Hi Pb,

That is correct. It does seem hard to believe that these mines were forgotten to the extent people didnt even know where they were - rumours apparently varied quite a bit about their location - but I must admit it takes a brave person to try and disarm them after a few years due to deterioration. Anyhow, your turn now.

Terry

[Polar bear]

hi, Terry,

a rather "British" question, although not only for you.

This officer was decorated with the VC for a certain action. Within half a year, 4 (!) men under his command, although in different units, were decorated with the VC , as well, for their conduct in two similar actions. What was "special" about these awards ?

greetings, the pb

[Polar bear]

hi, Terry,

thank you, and now ... a rather "British" question, although not only for you.

This officer was decorated with the VC for a certain action. Within half a year, 4 (!) men under his command, although in different units, were decorated with the VC , as well, for their conduct in two similar actions. What was "special" about these awards ?

greetings, the pb

[Polar bear]

hi,

one week later, hint #1 : the "certain action" was ... sinking a u-boat.

greetings, the pb

[Polar bear]

hi,

hint #2

... sinking a u-boat.

by "unconventional" means ...

greetings, the pb

[Terry Duncan]

Hi Pb,

I am not at all sure of all the VC's involved here as I cannot trace a 4th person if the commander is who I think it is, but I am not too sure what you mean by what was 'special' about the awards. I believe the officer is Gordon Campbell VC DSO 2 Bars when he commanded the Q-ships Farnborough and Dunraven. I can find that Bonner, Pitcher, and Stuart, who served under him getting VC's, including some selected by ballots which is unusual to a degree as is all recipients being alive and no posthumous awards?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Cam ... officer%29

I did have one other contender but that might make a good question in itself.

[Polar bear]

hi, Terry,

Well done, full points!

The officer was indeed Cdr Gordon Campbell.

The "special" was quite simply the selection of the persons who received the VC´s by ballot, the last time it was done that way.

over to you ... and waiting for your question ...

greetings, the pb

[Terry Duncan]

Thanks Pb,

This officer had retired prior to the war but went on to win the Victoria Cross for an action that saw five other men win the same award, and a further five men who started the day in the care of this officer also win the same award for other actions the same day?

[Polar bear]

hi,

Captain Alfred Shout (ANZAC) at Gallipoli, Battle of Lone Pine, August 9, 1915 ?

greetings, the pb

[Terry Duncan]

Hi Pb,

Close in at least one sense but not correct. To clarify my question, the officer in question and five others were awarded the VC for attempting the same task, the others progressed and won their VC's later in the day.

[Attrition]

Freyberg?

[Terry Duncan]

Hi Attrition,

Not Freyberg I am afraid. As a clue think of a famour 'River' and a theater of war a 'Soldier' poet did not live to see to find the location of the event.

Terry

[Polar bear]

hi, Terry,

a superb (!) hint , leading to: "River Clyde" and Edward Unwin http://www.royalmunsterfusiliers.org/k6unwin.htm

the soldier poet being http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert_Brooke
with the immortal lines
"If I should die, think only this of me:
That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed ..."

so it was Gallipoli, after all ...

greetings, the pb

[Terry Duncan]

Hi Pb,

Well done that is correct on both counts, the comment 'we need several little Unwins' was a fine tribute to a very brave man.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Unwin

The other men with him trying to keep the pontoons afloat were;

Midshipmen George Drewry (20) and Wilfred Malleson (18), Able Seaman William Williams (34), Seaman George Samson (26) and Sub-Lieutenant Arthur Tisdall (24) from the Royal Naval Division (RND). Of these men, only Williams died during the landing. Samson was severely wounded the following day. On his return to Scotland he was handed a white feather while wearing civilian clothes. Tisdall was killed on May 6 when the 6th (Hood) Battalion of the RND, made its advance along Kanli Dere during the Second Battle of Krithia. Drewry, Samson and Williams had come from the Hussar along with Unwin. Malleson, who died in 1975, served on the battleship HMS Cornwallis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_River_Clyde

It was rather a shame the old ship could not have been preserved as a testimony to the men, but as in so many other cases the chance was lost.

Over to you Pb for the next question.

[Attrition]

Ah, Gallipoli, I've been put off it a bit because of that book by Tim Travers.