GREAT WAR GALLANTRY April 1916

Throughout the First World War, the many announcements of British and Commonwealth gallantry awards appeared in the various issues of The London Gazette. As part of our major monthly series covering the period of the Great War commemorations, we examine some of the actions involved and summarise all of the awards announced in April 1916.

GREAT WAR GALLANTRY April 1916

In 1917 The London Gazette began to publish unusually brief and uninformative citations for certain naval VCs. On 21 April, for example, it was announced that Commander Gordon Campbell DSO, RN had been awarded the VC ‘in recognition of his conspicuous gallantry, consummate coolness and skill in command of one of HM Ships’. There was no further information. Indeed, so scant were the acknowledged details surrounding Campbell’s actions that in some quarters he came to be referred to as ‘The Mystery VC’.

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