John Crawshaw Raynes John Crawshaw Raynes VC ( 28 April 1887 – 12 November 1929 ) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross , the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces . Raynes , from Sheffield in South Yorkshire , joined the Royal Horse and Field Artillery in 1904 and served until 1912 , then joined the Leeds police force . However , he was still suffering from the effects of gas poisoning contracted during his VC action and struggled to continue his duties as a policeman , eventually being forced to take a desk job . Details . He was 28 years old , and an Acting Sergeant in the ' A ' Battery 71 Brigade , Royal Field Artillery , British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC . On 11 October 1915 at Fosse 7 de Bethune , France , Sergeant Raynes went to the assistance of another sergeant who was lying wounded . He bandaged the injured man and returned to his gun , then , when the battery ceased firing , carried the wounded man to a dug - out and when gas shelling started , put his own gas helmet on his injured comrade and , badly gassed himself , went back to his gun . The next day he was buried , with others , under a house which had been shelled . As soon as he had been extricated he insisted on helping to rescue the others , then , having had his wounds dressed , reported for duty . Further information . He later achieved the rank of Battery Sergeant Major . On his death the following was noted : His funeral took place in the presence of nineteen Victoria Cross recipients , eight of which were Yorkshire VC . Holders . The Yorkshire VC ’ s were ; Captain George Sanders , Lieutenant Wilfred Edwards , Sergeant Fred McNess , Sergeant Charles Smith Hull , Sergeant Albert Mountain , Lance Corporal Frederick W Dobson , Private Arthur Poulter , Private William Boynton Butler who were acting as pallbearers . The 71st Field Brigade Royal Artillery provided the gun carriage that carried the coffin of Mr Raynes , followed by the chairman of the LEEDS “ Old Contemptibles Association ” , Captain W . E . Gage , carrying a purple cushion with JCR ’ s medals upon it a wreath of Flanders poppies and evergreen in the shape of a Victoria Cross was carried by Lieutenant Edwards . The wreath was intended as a souvenir for JCR from the VC Dinner at the House of Lords . The wreath bore the message “ In affectionate memory from brother VC ’ s of Leeds , who sorely missed their comrade at the Prince of Wales ’ s dinner , whence this emblem was brought for him . ” Mr Raynes was intended to go to the dinner but he had to give his apologies , he asked if his son John Kenneth , age 18 would be able to take his place . Mr Raynes received a telegram on Armistice Day from the other Yorkshire VC ’ s who attended the dinner , stating that they regretted that he could not attend and complete the party , sending their greetings . They promised him a memento of the dinner , ( the VC shaped wreath ) . The service was held at St Clement ’ s Church , with the Lord and Lady Mayor and the Chief Constable in attendance , along with a squad of police . He was buried at Harehills Cemetery , Leeds . A firing squad was arranged and provided by the West Yorkshire Regiment and the Last Post was sounded . The cemetery gates had to be closed due to the amount of people that were there to pay their respects , an estimated 25 to 30 , 000 . So was the popularity of this brave man . The medal . His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Artillery Museum , Woolwich , England .