Tom Fletcher Mayson

For the football player, see Tom Mayson (Canadian football).
Tom Fletcher Mayson
Born 3 November 1893
Silecroft, Millom, Cumberland
Died 21 February 1958 (aged 64)
Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire
Buried at St Mary's Churchyard, Whicham
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Rank Lance sergeant
Unit The Sherwood Foresters
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Victoria Cross

Tom Fletcher Mayson VC (3 November 1893 – 21 February 1958) 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.

Details

He was 23 years old, and a Lance-Sergeant in the 1/4th Battalion, The King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment, 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 Wieltje, Belgium, when his platoon was held up by machine-gun fire, Lance-Sergeant Mayson, without waiting for orders, at once made for the gun which he put out of action with bombs, wounding four of the team; the remaining three of the team fled, pursued by Lance-Sergeant Mayson to a dug-out where he killed them. Later, when clearing up a strongpoint, this NCO again tackled a machine-gun single-handed, killing six of the team. Finally during an enemy counterattack he took charge of an isolated post and successfully held it until ordered to withdraw and his ammunition was exhausted.[1]

The Medal

His Victoria Cross was left to Whicham Church from where it is on loan to the Kings Own Royal Regimental Museum. in Lancaster, Lancashire[2]

References

  1. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30284. p. 9533. 14 September 1917. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  2. ↑ "Victoria Cross Holders of the King's Own Royal Regiment". Retrieved January 16, 2013.
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