NAM.1958-02-1-1

Victoria Cross, 1917. From a medal group awarded to Maj George Campbell Wheeler, 2nd Bn 9th Gurkha Rifles, for his actions at Shumran on the River Tigris, Mesopotamia, 23 Feb 1917, during World War One (1914-1918). Maj Wheeler, together with one Gurkha officer and eight men, crossed the River Tigris and immediately rushed the enemy's trench in spite of the heavy bombing, rifle, machine gun and artillery fire to which they were being subjected. The party of which Maj Wheeler had command were successful in obtaining a footing on the river bank, when almost immediately a strong detachment of the enemy with bombers launched a violent counter-attack. At once Maj Wheeler led a charge with another officer and three men against the on-coming enemy when he received a severe bayonet wound to the head. In spite of this, he continued to lead and disperse the enemy and save the situation. Wheeler was born on 7th April 1880 and joined the Army on 20th January 1900 as a second lieutenant unattached. After being awarded the VC he subsequently commanded the 1st Batallion from 1923-1927. Maj Wheeler retired to Barton-on-Sea where he died in 1939.

Shumran Bend, Battle of, 1917 (World War One, Mesopotamia 1914-1918