William Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse VC

Name: William Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse

Conflict: First World War

Gazetted: May 22, 1915

Service: Royal Flying Corps

Place/date of birth: London/September 26, 1887

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Second Lieutenant (promoted posthumously to Lieutenant)

Date of bravery: April 26, 1915

London Gazette citation:

2nd Lieutenant William Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse, Special Reserve, Royal Flying Corps.

For most conspicuous bravery on 26th April, 1915, in flying to Courtrai and dropping bombs on the railway line near that station. On starting the return journey he was mortally wounded, but succeeded in flying for 35 miles to his destination, at a very low altitude, and reported the successful accomplishment of his object. He has since died of his wounds.

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Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Merville, France/April 27, 1915

Grave/memorials: Parnham House, near Beaminster, Dorset/Lamport Churchyard, Northampstonshire

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Sotheby’s, Hendon, north London, 1990

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum