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 Geoffrey St. George Shillington Cather | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | British Army |
| Years of service | 1914 - 1916 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | 9th Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers |
| Battles / wars | World War I: Battle of the Somme |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Lieutenant Geoffrey St. George Shillington Cather VC (born 1890 - died 2 July 1916) was born in the Streatham Hill area of south-west London. He 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.
Biography
Cather was born on 11 October 1890 to R. G. Cather and of Mrs. M. M. Cather, of Limpsfield, Surrey. He joined the British Army during the First World War. As a 25 year-old lieutenant in the 9th Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers, he was awarded the VC for his actions on 1 July 1916 near Hamel, France.
For most conspicuous bravery. From 7 p.m. till midnight he searched 'No Man's Land', and brought in three wounded men. Next morning at 8 a.m. he continued his search, brought in another wounded man, and gave water to others, arranging for their rescue later. Finally, at 10.30 a.m., he took out water to another man, and was proceeding further on when he was himself killed. All this was carried out in full view of the enemy, and under direct machine gun fire and intermittent artillery fire. He set a splendid example of courage and self sacrifice
— The London Gazette, 8 September 1916
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Regimental Museum The Royal Irish Fusiliers, (Armagh, Northern Ireland).
References
- ^ Cather, Geoffrey St George, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- Find-A-Grave profile for Geoffrey St. George Shillington Cather
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - The Somme (Gerald Gliddon, 1994)