Vereker, John Standish Surtees P.V., Viscount Gort

Date of birth:: July 10th, 1886 (Westminster/Middlesex, United Kingdom)
Date of death:: March 31st, 1946 (Southwark/London, United Kingdom)
Buried on:: Grav Field Marshal John Vereker
Nationality:: British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

John Vereker reached the rank of Field Marshal and is a recipient of the Maltanese Sword of Honour as Governor of Malta. Vereker was wounded three times during the First World War.

Promotions:
16 August 1905: Second Lieutenant
1 April 1907: Lieutenant
15 August 1914: Captain
June 1916: Brevet Major
April 1917: Acting Lieutenant Colonel
21 October 1919: Major
1 January 1921: Brevet Lieutenant Colonel
25 November 1935: Major General
September 1937: Temp. Lieutenant General
1 januari 1943: Field Marshal

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Member of the Royal Victorian Order

Rank:: Lieutenant
Unit:: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Awarded on:: 1910

Military Cross (MC)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Captain
Unit:: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, 20th Infantry Brigade, 7th Division, British Army
Awarded on:: June 23rd, 1915

For distinguished service in the Field.

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Acting Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit:: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division, British Army
Awarded on:: June 4th, 1917

Mentioned in Dispatches

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Acting Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit:: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division, British Army
Awarded on:: June 4th, 1917

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Acting Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit:: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division, British Army
Awarded on:: September 26th, 1917

For gallantry and distinguished service in the field.

2nd award: bar

Victoria Cross (VC)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Acting Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit:: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division, British Army
Awarded on:: November 27th, 1918

On 17th September, 1918, this officer was in charge of 1/Bn. Grenadier Guards during the attack across the Canal du Nord, near Flesquieres. Although wounded he went across open ground under terrific fire to obtain the assistance of a tank, which he led and directed to the best possible advantage. He was again wounded very severely, but after a short rest despite considerable loss of blood, he got up and personally directed a further attack. All ranks were so inspired by his magnificent example of devotion to duty and utter disregard of personal safety that the attack was completely successful. Viscount Gort then organised the defence of the captured position until he collapsed.

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Acting Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit:: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division, British Army
Awarded on:: January 11th, 1919

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in command of his battalion. He led his men up by night to relieve a battalion which had attacked and failed to reach its objective. Regardless of danger he personally reconnoitred the line ahead of his troops, and got them on to the objective before dawn. During the three following days he again made forward reconnaissances, and leading his battalion gradually on, advanced the line 800 yards and gained a canal bank. It is impossible to speak too highly of this officer's initiative.

3rd award: 2nd bar