Roupell, George Rowland Patrick

Date of birth:: April 7th, 1892 (Tipperary, Ireland)
Date of death:: March 4th, 1974 (Shalford, Surrey)
Service number:: 5360
Nationality:: Irish

Biography

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Victoria Cross (VC)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Lieutenant
Unit:: 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment, 14th Brigade, 5th Division, British Army
Awarded on:: June 23rd, 1915

“For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, on the 20th April 1915, when he was commanding a company of his battalion in a front trench on Hill 60, which was subjected to a most severe bombardment throughout the day, though wounded in several places, he remained at his post and led his company in repelling a strong German assault. During a lull in the bombardment he had his wounds hurriedly dressed, and then insisted on returning to his trench, which was again being subjected to a severe bombardment.

Towards evening, his company being dangerously weakened, he went back to his battalion headquarters, represented the situation to his commanding officer, and brought up reinforcements, passing backwards and forwards over ground swept by heavy fire. With these reinforcements he held his position throughout the night, and until his battalion was relieved next morning.

The young officer was one of the few survivors of his company, and showed a magnificent example of courage, devotion and tenacity, which undoubtedly inspired his men to hold out till the end”.