Ernest Herbert Pitcher VC

Name: Ernest Herbert Pitcher

Conflict: First World War

Gazetted: November 2, 1917

Service: Royal Navy

Place/date of birth: Mullion, Cornwall/December 31, 1888

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Petty Officer (later Chief Petty Officer)

Date of bravery: August 8, 1917

London Gazette citation:

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the following honours, decorations and medals to officers and men for services in action with enemy submarines:-

To Receive the Victoria Cross.

…P.O. Ernest Pitcher, O.N. 227029 (Po.).

P.O. Pitcher was selected by the crew of a gun of one of H.M. ships to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant dated the 29^th January, 1856.

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: DSM

Place/date of death: Sherborne, Dorset/February 10, 1946

Grave/memorials: Northbrook Cemetery, Swanage, Dorset; Swanage Parish Church, Dorset

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Dix Noonan Webb, London, 1997

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