Victoria Cross winners in RDF during WW1

Sergeant Horace Augustus Curtis (2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers) Sergeant Robert Downie (2nd Bn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers) Sgt James Ockendon (1st Bn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers)

Sergeant Horace Augustus Curtis 2nd Battalion, The Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He was 27 years old and a Sergeant when he won his VC. on 18 October 1918 near Le Cateau, France. The following is the official citation, which appeared in the London Gazette on 6 January 1919.

No.14107 Sjt. Horace Augustus Curtis.2nd Battalion, R. Dub. Fus (Newlyn East, Cornwall) For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty East of Le Cateau on the morning of 18th October 1918, when in attack his platoon came unexpectedly under intense machine-gun fire. Realising that the attack would fail unless the enemy guns were silenced, Sjt Curtis, without hesitation, rushed forward through our own barrage and the enemy fire and killed and wounded the teams of two of the guns, whereupon the remaining four guns surrendered. Then turning his attention to a train-load of reinforcements, he succeeded in capturing over 100 enemy before his comrades joined him. His valour and disregard of danger inspired all.

Sergeant Robert Downie, 2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. won his VC on 23 October 1916 at Lesboeufs in France, when, defending recently captured gun-pits it became apparent to him that there were no officers left to command, whereby, he took it upon himself to take charge of the situation. The citation, which was published in the London Gazette on 25th November 1916

"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. When most of the officers had become casualties, this Non-Commissioned Officer, utterly regardless of personal danger moved about under heavy fire and reorganised the attack, which had been temporarily checked. At the critical moment he rushed forward alone, shouting, "Come on, the Dubs." This stirring appeal met with immediate response, and the line rushed forward at his call. Sergeant Downie accounted for several of the enemy, and in addition captured a machine gun, killing the team. Though wounded early in the fight, he remained with his company, and gave valuable assistance, while the position was being consolidated. It was owing to Sergeant Downie's courage and initiative that this important position, which had resisted four or five previous attacks, was won."

Sergeant James Ockendon 1st Battalion, The Royal Dublin Fusiliers

On 4 October 1917 east of Langemark, Belgium, Sergeant Ockendon was acting as company sergeant-major, and seeing the platoon on the right held up by an enemy machine-gun, he immediately rushed the gun, regardless of his own safety and captured it, killing the crew. He then led a section to the attack on a farm, where under very heavy fire he rushed forward and called on the garrison to surrender. As the enemy continued to fire on him he opened fire, killing four, whereupon the remaining 16 surrendered.

Royal Dublin Fusilier Medals and Awards