Allegiance United Kingdom Name Albert Curtis Awards Victoria Cross Other work Yeoman Warder Service/branch British Army | Battles/wars Second Boer War Battles and wars Second Boer War Rank Sergeant Role Armed force officer | |
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Born 6 January 1866
Guildford, Surrey ( 1866-01-06 ) Buried at Bells Hill Cemetery, Barnet Commands held The East Surrey Regiment Died March 18, 1940, Chipping Barnet, London Borough of Barnet, United Kingdom Place of burial Bell's Hill Burial Ground, London Borough of Barnet, United Kingdom, Chipping Barnet, London Borough of Barnet, United Kingdom Similar People George Grogan, Robert Henry Cain, Raphael Zengel, Walter Norris Congreve, James Carne | ||
Albert Edward Curtis VC (6 January 1866 – 18 March 1940) was an English 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.
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Curtis was 34 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment, British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place at Onderbank Spruit for which he was awarded the VC:
On the 23rd February, 1900, Colonel Harris lay all day long in a perfectly open space under close fire of a Boer breastwork. The Boers fired all day at any man who moved, and Colonel Harris was wounded eight or nine times. Private Curtis, after several attempts succeeded in reaching the Colonel, bound his wounded arm, and gave him his flask — all under heavy fire. He then tried to carry him away, but was unable, on which he called for assistance, and Private Morton came out at once. Fearing that the men would be killed; Colonel Harris told them to leave him, but they declined, and after trying to carry the Colonel on their rifles, they made a chair with their hands, and so carried him out of fire.
Further information
He later achieved the rank of sergeant and served as a Yeoman Warder. He died on 18 March 1940. His medal is in the Lord Ashcroft collection
Curtis is interred at Bells Hill Burial Ground, Chipping Barnet.