The Washington herald., 1912-03-31

The interesting fact that the field
marshal OF the British army, Sir Eve
lyn Wood, whose severe illness has
been reported. was recommended for
the Victoria Cross. both as sailor
(before Sebastapol in the Crimeen war)
and as a soldier during the Indian
mutiny). recalls other quite unique
medal records.
There is, for instance. Lieut.. Kirby.
of the British Royal Ensineers-recsnt-
ly appointed to the "air" battalion
the distinguished conduct medal In the
Boer war. That South Africa cam
paign has brought about quite a NUM-
ber OF remarkable decorations. A dog
that accompanied the Life Guards.
was awarded a medal for action in the
field A resident OF Natal received two
Queens decorations, one as a soldier
and the other in his capacity as civil
ian interpreter. A former quartermas-
ter In the Engineer Corps was the re-
cipient of two bronze Humane Society
medals. whereas the rule Is to reward
second act Of life-saving by a silver
decoration for such heroism.
There Is an old Englishwoman who
Is the only female entitled to wear
three medals for the crimean cam
paign. The reason for II is that she
actually had been under fire and often
accompanied her husband In the
trenches. On his death permission was
granted her by the British war once
to wear his decorations.
Lord Roberts has found II necessary To
correct the erroneous impression that he
wears two Victoria Crosses, his own and
that OF his gallant son. who was killed
at Colenso. II is exceedingly rare for two
of these much coveted crosses to 90 to
the same family. Still the Coughs can
boast three. earned by Gen c. ]. s.
Cough. his brother. Gen. Sir II. II. Cough.
and the latter's son. Col. J. E. Cough.
The record among active officers in
England probably is held by Gen. ]. NJ.
Grierson, with a total of fourteen medals
and other decorations, and in the rank
and file by Sergt. Mai. Elliott, of the
foeman Of the Guard. who not only is
the proud possessor OF nine medals, but
was given. the Victorian Order Cfourth
class) by the late King Edward.
An ex-sergeant, John II. Miller. late Of
the Seaforth Highlanders and Rife Bri-
gade. claims to have equaled the lat
ter's record, and his nine medals (which
includes the one for distinguished con-
ducO have attached TO them thirteen
clasps for campaigns in Afghanistan,
Egypt, Burma, and South Africa.
Corp. Taylor, however. holds the rec
ord for the greatest number of medals
in one day. While still conva-
lescent after a severe illness incurred
during the South African campaign. he
jumped from a South Coast pier
into raging sea and rescued an old
skipper. who was struggling for life.
This act brought him the Lloyd's medal
for saving life at sea, the Humane So
ciety's medal and the board Of trades:
and on the same day that he received
these he was also presented with the
Kings and Queens South African med
ais! To put the finishing touch to his
record. he subsequently received the
gold medal for the bravest deed
" life-saving during the year. and thus
ne received four medals for one brave
let
There are three regiments with records
IN the medal line Of which they are
proud: The Ninth Lancers. who have
won more Victoria Crosses than any
other cavalry resiment-namely. thirteen.
of which twelve were won in the Indian
nutiny. when the regiment won the nick
name OF The Delhi Spearmen.' the
south Wales Borderers, who lead all in
Iantry battalions in regard to the number
If Victoria Crosses won-namely. sixteen:
Ind the Twelfth Lancers, who. in 1874, |
lad the unique honor OF receiving eleven |
gold medals from the Pope for their Of