Albert Edward Curtis

Albert Edward Curtis
Born(1866-01-06)6 January 1866
Guildford, Surrey
Died18 March 1940(1940-03-18) (aged 74)
Barnet, London
Buried
Bells Hill Cemetery, Barnet[1]
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branch British Army
RankSergeant
CommandsThe East Surrey Regiment
Battles / warsSecond Boer War
Awards Victoria Cross
Other workYeoman Warder

Albert Edward Curtis VC (6 January 1866 – 18 March 1940) 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

Curtis was 34 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment,[2] British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place at Onderbank Spruit for which he was awarded the VC:

On the 23rd February, 1900, Colonel Harris lay all day long in a perfectly open space under close fire of a Boer breastwork. The Boers fired all day at any man who moved, and Colonel Harris was wounded eight or nine times. Private Curtis, after several attempts succeeded in reaching the Colonel, bound his wounded arm, and gave him his flask — all under heavy fire. He then tried to carry him away, but was unable, on which he called for assistance, and Private Morton came out at once. Fearing that the men would be killed; Colonel Harris told them to leave him, but they declined, and after trying to carry the Colonel on their rifles, they made a chair with their hands, and so carried him out of fire.[3]

Further information

He later achieved the rank of sergeant and served as a Yeoman Warder. He died on 18 March 1940. His medal is in the Lord Ashcroft collection[4]

Curtis is interred at Bells Hill Burial Ground, Chipping Barnet.[5][6]

References

  1. ^ "Graves Locations for VC holders". Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  2. ^ "The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment". Archived from the original on 18 May 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  3. ^ "No. 27266". The London Gazette. 15 January 1901. p. 308.
  4. ^ "Lord Ashcroft VC collection". Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  5. ^ "EXACTLY 100 YEARS AFTER WINNING THE VICTORIA CROSS, SERGEANT ALBERT CURTIS IS REMEMBERED BY A HEADSTONE ERECTED OVER HIS GRAVE". Archived from the original on 11 March 2007.
  6. ^ "Private (Later Sergeant) Albert Edward Curtis VC". Archived from the original on 18 May 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2013.