Army officer. Born John Standish Surtees Prendergast Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort at 24 Chesham Place, London. He served with the Grenadier Guards in World War I and was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1918. Appointed Chief of the Imperial General Staff in 1938. Governor of Gibraltar and Malta and High Commissioner for Palestine and Transjordan. Commander in Chief at Dunkirk. Died in Guy's Hospital.
On the 27th September 1918, at the Canal du Nord, near Flesquieres, he was in command of the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, the leading battalion of the 3rd Guards Brigade. Under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire he led his troops encountering very severe fire from artillery and machine guns. Although wounded, he directed a platoon to proceed down a sunken road to make a flanking attack, and, under terrific fire, went across open ground to obtain the assistance of a tank, which he personally led. He was again severely wounded, but insisted on personally directing the further attack, which resulted in the capture of over 200 prisoners, two batteries of field guns and numerous machine guns.
Awarded the VC for his heroism on 27 September 1918, age 32, while serving in the Grenadier Guards. "The successful advance across the Canal du Nord was mainly due to the valour, skilful leading and devotion of this very gallant officer. (Flesquières, France)". Freemason at: №2614, Household Brigade Lodge.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
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