George Campbell Wheeler

George Campbell Wheeler

VC
Born(1880-04-07)7 April 1880
Yokohama, Japan
Died26 August 1938(1938-08-26) (aged 58)
Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire
Buried
St Mary Magdalene Churchyard, New Milton
Allegiance United Kingdom
Branch
 British Indian Army
Service years
1900-
Rank
Lieutenant colonel
Unit9th Gurkha Rifles
Conflicts
World War I
Awards Victoria Cross

George Campbell Wheeler VC (7 April 1880[1] – 26 August 1938) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life

Wheeler was born in 1880, and attended Bedford School from 1893 to 1897. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on the unattached list on 20 January 1900 "with a view to [his] appointment on the Indian Staff Corps".[2] Posted to the Madras Command three months later,[3] he was formally transferred to the Indian Staff Corps in april 1901,[4] and served with the 9th (Gurkha Rifle) Bengal Infantry. He was promoted to lieutenant on 20 April 1902.[5]

Details

He was 36 years old, and a major in the 2nd Battalion, 9th Gurkha Rifles, British Indian Army during World War I when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.[6]

On 23 February 1917 at Shumran on the River Tigris, Mesopotamia, Major Wheeler, together with one Gurkha officer and eight men of Khas battalion crossed the river and rushed the enemy's trench in the face of very heavy fire. Having obtained a footing on the far bank, he was almost immediately counter-attacked by the enemy with a party of bombers. Major Wheeler at once led a charge, receiving in the process a severe bayonet wound in the head. In spite of this, however, he managed to disperse the enemy and consolidate his position.[6]

He later achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum, Chelsea, London.[1]

Notes

  1. 1 2 "National Army Museum". Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  2. ↑ "No. 27155". The London Gazette. 19 January 1900. p. 362.
  3. ↑ "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times. No. 36114. London. 12 April 1900. p. 5.
  4. ↑ "No. 27348". The London Gazette. 23 August 1901. p. 5594.
  5. ↑ "No. 27469". The London Gazette. 29 August 1902. p. 5608.
  6. 1 2 "No. 30122". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 June 1917. p. 5702.

See also

References

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