Allegiance United Kingdom Other work Police officer Role Armed force officer Service/branch British Army | Rank Captain Name George Onions Battles and wars World War II Awards Victoria Cross | |
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Born 2 March 1883
Bilston, Staffordshire ( 1883-03-02 ) Buried at Quinton Cemetery, Birmingham Battles/wars World War I
World War II Died April 2, 1944, Birmingham, United Kingdom Place of burial Birmingham, United Kingdom Similar People Arthur Vickers, Arthur Hutt, William Amey | ||
George Onions VC (2 March 1883 – 2 April 1944) 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.
Onions first served with the 3rd Hussars and was involved in the Easter Rising in Dublin in 1916.
Onions was 35 years old, and a Lance-Corporal in the 1st Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 22 August 1918 south of Achiet-le-Petit, France, Lance-Corporal Onions, having been sent out with one man to get in touch with the battalion on the right flank, saw the enemy advancing in large numbers. Seizing his opportunity, he boldly placed himself and his comrade on the flank of the advancing enemy and opened fire. When the enemy were about 100 yards from him the line wavered and some hands were thrown up, whereupon the lance-corporal rushed forward and helped by his comrade, took about 200 of the enemy prisoners and marched them back to his company commander.
He was later commissioned into the Rifle Brigade. After World War I, Onions served in the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary. In 1939 he was commissioned a Captain in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment for National Defence, but resigned his commission in 1941.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Keep Military Museum, Dorchester, Dorset, England.