Christopher Furness (VC)
Christopher Furness | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 17 May 1912 London, England |
| Died | 24 May 1940 (aged 28) Arras, France |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  British Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | Welsh Guards |
| Battles/wars | Second World War
|
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
| Relations | Marmaduke Furness, 1st Viscount Furness, (father) Christopher Furness, 1st Baron Furness, (grandfather) |
Christopher Furness VC (17 May 1912 – 24 May 1940) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.[1]
Early life[]
Furness was born in London on 17 May 1912, the eldest son of The Honourable Marmaduke Furness (later the 1st Viscount Furness) and his first wife Ada "Daisy" (née Hogg).[2] Christopher Furness was educated at Eton College.[1]
VC action[]
Furness was 28 years old, and a lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards, British Army during the Second World War Battle of France when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.[3]
During the period 17–24 May 1940 near Arras, France, Lieutenant Furness commanded the Carrier Platoon when his battalion formed part of the garrison of the town.[4]
On 23 May the platoon was ordered to cover the withdrawal of the transport (over 40 vehicles) to Douai.[4] Early on 24 May the enemy were advancing along the road where the transport columns were moving and Lieutenant Furness decided to attack.[4] He reached the enemy position under heavy fire and when the light tanks and all the carriers and their crews had become casualties he engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat until he was killed.[4]
His fight against hopeless odds made the enemy withdraw temporarily and enabled the vehicles and survivors to get clear.[5]
The medal[]
His Victoria Cross, still owned by the Furness family, is loaned to and displayed at The Guards Regimental Headquarters (Welsh Guards RHQ), Wellington Barracks, London.[6]
Commemoration[]
Furness is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial.[6]
References[]
- ^ a b Harvey, David (1999). Monuments to Courage: 1917-1982.
- ^ "Casualty Details: Furness, The Hon. Christopher". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- ^ "Welsh Guards History". Archived from the original on 3 May 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- ^ a b c d Fraser, Maxwell (1952). Wales.
- ^ "No. 37458". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 February 1946. p. 847.
- ^ a b Harvey, David (17 September 1999). Monuments to Courage: 1917-1982. K. and K. Patience – via Google Books.
External links[]
- Christopher Furness at Find a Grave
- British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
- Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- No Time to Spare? A History of Summer Fields War Dead(Chris Sparrow, 2006)
Authority control  |
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- 1912 births
- 1940 deaths
- Military personnel from London
- British World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross
- British Army personnel killed in World War II
- Welsh Guards officers
- Heirs apparent who never acceded
- People educated at Eton College
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross