Military Wiki
Alfred Cecil Herring
VC
File:Alfred Cecil Herring VC.jpg
Born (1888-10-26)October 26, 1888
Died 10 August 1966(1966-08-10) (aged 77)
Place of birth Tottenham, London
Place of death Weybridge, Surrey
Buried at Woking Crematorium
Allegiance Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
Service/branch Flag of the British Army British Army
Rank Major
Unit Royal Army Service Corps
The Northamptonshire Regiment (attached)
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Victoria Cross (UK) ribbon Victoria Cross

Major Alfred Cecil Herring VC (26 October 1888 – 10 August 1966) 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 29 years old, and a temporary second lieutenant in the Royal Army Service Corps,[1] British Army, attached to 6th (S) Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 23/24 March 1918 at Montagne Bridge, France, the enemy had gained a position on the south bank of the canal and Second Lieutenant Herring's post was surrounded, but he immediately counter-attacked and recaptured the position, together with 20 prisoners and six machine-guns. During the night the post was continually attacked, but all attacks were beaten off, largely because Lieutenant Herring was frequently visiting his men and cheering them up. It was owing to his bravery and magnificent handling of his troops that the enemy advance was held up for 11 hours at a very critical period.

Further information[]

He was born in Tottenham, North London.[2] He later achieved the rank of major. He was a Chartered Accountant by profession [3]

In 2006, a new pub on Green Lanes, Palmers Green, in North London, run by the Wetherspoons chain, was named after him.[4]

The medal[]

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Logistic Corps Museum, Camberley, Surrey.

References[]

  1. "RASC Association". http://www.rascrctassociation.co.uk/herring.html. Retrieved March 14, 2013. 
  2. GRO Register of Births: DEC 1888 3a 3_7 EDMONTON - Alfred Cecil Herring
  3. History of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Sir Harold Howitt, Heinemann, London 1966
  4. The Times, City Diary, 2006-05-31

External links[]

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The original article can be found at Alfred Cecil Herring and the edit history here.