Albert Gill VC

Name: Albert Gill

Conflict: First World War

Gazetted: October 26, 1916

Service: Army

Place/date of birth: Birmingham/September 8, 1879

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Sergeant

Date of bravery: July 27, 1916

London Gazette citation:

No. 2815 Serjeant Albert Gill, late King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

For most conspicuous bravery. The enemy made a very strong counter-attack on the right flank of the battalion, and rushed the bombing post after killing all the company bombers.

Serjeant Gill at once rallied the remnants of his platoon, none of whom were skilled bombers, and reorganised his defences, a most difficult and dangerous task, the trench being very shallow and much damaged. Soon afterwards the enemy nearly surrounded his men by creeping up through the thick undergrowth, and commenced sniping at about twenty yards range. Although it was almost certain death, Serjeant Gill stood boldly up in order to direct the fire of his men. He was killed almost at once, but not before he had shown his men where the enemy were, and thus enabled them to hold up their advance.

By his supreme devotion to duty and self- sacrifice he saved a very dangerous situation

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Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Delville Wood, Somme, France/July 27, 1916

Burial/memorials: Delville Wood Cemetery, Somme, France

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Dix Noonan Webb, London, 2000

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