Valour

Meet John Henry Carless VC: Ordinary Seaman, Royal Navy

[ London Gazette, 17 May 1918 ], Battle of Heligoland, North Sea, 17 November 1917, Ordinary Seaman John Henry Carless, Royal Navy.

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Although mortally wounded in the abdomen, he still went on serving the gun at which he was acting as rammer, lifting a projectile and helping to clear away the other casualties. He collapsed once, but got up, tried again, and cheered on the new gun's crew. He then fell and died.
He not only set a very inspiring and memorable example, but he also, whilst mortally wounded, continued to do effective work against the King's enemies.

A month after the award of the Victoria Cross to John Carless was published in the 'London Gazette' his parents travelled to London to receive his VC from the hands of King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 22nd June 1918.
John Carless's Victoria Cross passed in turn, from his parents to his brother William, and then to his nephew John Henry Carless, who was named after him. On his death in 1986, the Cross was bequeathed to Walsall Council on behalf of the town.

Medal entitlement of Ordinary Seaman John Carless, Royal Navy ( HMS 'Caledon' )
- Victoria Cross
- 1914-15 Star
- British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
- Victory Medal ( 1914-19 )

His statue/bust stands proud in front of Walsall Library, adjacent to Walsall Museum, the front of which is seen here and the side here.

Mimi's mundane day:
Woke up at crazy o'clock this morning to go to a carboot sale M6 Jcn 11.. Was still yawning, no breakfast.. But then I got myself a brand new Vivitar telescope for £4 and a pedal bike for £15, Not too bad I say! Got back to friend's house at about 10am. By afternoon, sun was fantastically glaring, went around for a bike ride and later had a walk around town to visit Mr Carless here..

Been a nice long weekend, I reckon. Hope everyone else had the same!