  henry tandey vc, dcm, mm (30 august 1891 â 20 december 1977) was an english recipient of the victoria cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to british and commonwealth forces. he was the most highly decorated british private of the first world war. ==early life== henry tandey was born in leamington, warwickshire, the son of a former soldier. he spent part of his childhood in an orphanage, before becoming a boiler attendant at a hotel. ==military service== tandey enlisted into the green howards regiment on 12 august 1910. after basic training he was posted to their 2nd battalion on 23 january 1911, serving with them in guernsey and south africa prior to the outbreak of world war i.http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/tandey.htm he took part in the battle of ypres in october 1914, and was wounded on 24 october 1916, at the battle of the somme. on discharge from hospital he was posted to the 3rd battalion on 5 may 1917, before moving to the 9th battalion on 11 june 1917. he was wounded a second time on 27 november 1917, during the battle of passchendaele. after his 2nd period of hospital treatment he returned to the 3rd battalion, on 23 january 1918, before being posted to the 12th battalion on 15 march 1918, where he remained until 26 july 1918. on 26 july 1918 tandey transferred from the green howards to the duke of wellington's (west riding regiment). he was posted to their 5th battalion on 27 july 1918. ===distinguished conduct medal=== on 28 august 1918, during the 2nd battle of cambrai, the 5th battalion was in action to the west of the canal du nord. tandey was in charge of one of several bombing parties on the german trenches. as the forward parties were being held up tandey took two
1891_births 1977_deaths British_Army_personnel_of_World_War_I British_Army_recipients_of_the_Victoria_Cross British_World_War_I_recipients_of_the_Victoria_Cross Duke_of_Wellington\'s_Regiment_soldiers Green_Howards_soldiers People_from_Royal_Leamington_Spa Recipients_of_the_Distinguished_Conduct_Medal Recipients_of_the_Military_Medal