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DateOriginal Topic
28th July 2005Magazine
By Andrew Holliday
In MILITARY ILLUSTRATED Magazine for August there is an article by Ian Knight argueing why John Chard deserved a Victoria Cross. Just to let you know
DateReplies
28th July 2005Michael Boyle
The ILN has an illustration of Maj. Chard recieving his V.C., he, standing alone among mounted senior officers with Gen. Wolseley bending down to pin it on. The man wouldn't even dismount to present his nation's highest award face to face. As if Wolsely's comments weren't enough of an affront.
28th July 2005Mike McCabe
The ILN engraving is well known to be fundamentally innaccurate. At the time of the presentation, Chard was wearing the red serge simplified version of the RE tunic, and the blue woolly hat issued to all as an 'undress' item on the troopship to South Africa. Chard had no warning of a presentation, and was simply summoned to receive his medal immediately after Wolseley's unexpected arrival. The General had Chard to dress otherwise. The commonly used oval mounted group of RE officers (mostly of 5th Coy RE) taken at St Pauls Mission at the time shows Chard wearing his VC and dressed as he was on the day.
MC McC
28th July 2005Mike McCabe
Should read: "...The General had apparently wished to press on and had not waited for Chard to dress otherwise."
MC McC
28th July 2005Mike McCabe
It was not considered discourteous as such to present medals whilst mounted, Queen Victoria presented most that way at the first VC investiture in Hyde Park.
However, Her Majesty's enthusiasm led to some interesting episodes. A recipient at the time, Lt Gerald Graham VC RE, recorded had to endure the medal's pin being drive into the flesh of his chest, recording that: "She pinned on the medal with her own hand to our coats. She stuck the pin firmly into me, so keenly I realized my momentary interview with Royalty."
At the same investiture, the Queen somehow managed to force the pin through the skin of Cdr Braby RN, and secure the end of it in the hook designed to receive it. Braby, somehow avoided flinching.
Wolseley, like Queen Victoria, was small in stature and could conceivably have remained mounted. However we have no real proof that he did. Also, Chard was not very tall either (about 5' 4") so it is more likely that a dismounted presentation took place, allowing Wolseley's horse to be watered and rested for a while before he pressed on in his busy way.
MC McC
28th July 2005Michael Boyle
Thanks again Mike, I now feel a bit better about it and have possibly stumbled upon the origins of a tradition still in place upon the awarding of 'Jump Wings' to US Marine Force Recon graduates!
MAB
30th July 2005Glenn Wade
Hello Gents

I bought Military Illustrated in Smiths yesterday. Thought Ian's article was superb. It quoted that pratt Hasting's article, politely putting 'Sir Max' to shame. Well done Ian.

Cheers

Glenn
30th July 2005Melvin Hunt
Glenn
In view of the current thread on unbiased reviewing could you at least please show a little respect for Max Hastings and use a capital "P" in the word "pratt"?
Many thanks
30th July 2005Glenn Wade
Ha ha, will do Melvin!

All the best

Glenn