Buried at Rhyl Cemetery Name Henry Weale Unit Royal Welch Fusiliers Battles/wars First World War Service/branch British Army | Rank Sergeant Battles and wars World War I Allegiance United Kingdom Role Armed force officer Awards Victoria Cross | |
Died January 13, 1959, Rhyl, United Kingdom Similar People John Russell, Charles Doughty‑Wylie, Albert Hill, Joseph John Davies | ||
Henry Weale VC (2 October 1897 – 13 January 1959) was a Welsh 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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He was 20 years old, and a Lance-Corporal in the 14th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 26 August 1918 at Bazentin-le-Grand, France, when the advance of the adjacent battalion was held up by enemy machine-guns, Lance-Corporal Weale was ordered to deal with hostile posts. When his Lewis gun failed him, on his own initiative, he rushed the nearest post and killed the crew, then went for the others, the crews of which fled on his approach. His dashing action cleared the way for the advance, inspired his comrades and resulted in the capture of all the machine-guns.
Further information
He later achieved the rank of sergeant. The TA centre in Queensferry, North Wales is now named the Henry Weale VC TA Centre. He was born in Shotton, Flintshire and is buried at Rhyl. In 2010 a memorial garden was opened in Shotton in memory of Henry Weale.
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum, Caernarfon Castle, Gwynedd, Wales.