Ivor Rees VC (18 October 1893 – 11 March 1967) 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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Details
He was 23 years old, and a sergeant in the 11th Battalion, The South Wales Borderers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 31 July 1917 at Pilkem, Belgium, a hostile machine-gun opened fire at close range, inflicting many casualties. Sergeant Rees led his platoon forward by short rushes and gradually worked his way round to the rear of the main position. When he was about 20 yards away he rushed forward and killed two of the team. He then bombed the large concrete emplacement, killing five and capturing 30 prisoners, including two officers, in addition to an undamaged gun.
Further information
He later achieved the rank of Company Sergeant-Major.
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the South Wales Borderers Museum (Brecon, Powys, Wales).
References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - Passchendaele 1917 (Stephen Snelling, 1998)
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (West Glamorgan, Wales)
- Ivor Rees at Find A Grave
