Edmund de Wind, VC

[kato13]

TiggerCCW UK 09-09-2008, 03:58 AM This query is mainly aimed at Canadian forumites, but it may be of interest to some of you. I am currently getting ready to move house to a place about 8 miles outside Belfast - got a great deal on a 5 bedroom house with an acre of garden for Terri-Anne to run around. The interesting thing about the house (for me anyway) is that there is a plaque in the porch which says this;


'Kinvara - Built by Arthur Hughes de Wind in 1909. He was the chief engineer of the Newcastle and County Down railway and father of Second Lieutenant Edmund de Wind, Royal Irish Rifles, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for extreme bravery in action against the German Army on 21st March, 1918. De Wind Drive, Comber, is named after Edmund de Wind.'


I've done a little research on Edmund and discovered that he initially enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, as he had emigrated, joining the 31st Battalion. His VC citation reads;


'For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice on the 21st March, 1918, at the Race Course Redoubt, near Grugies [southeast of St. Quentin]. For seven hours he held this most important post, and though twice wounded and practically single-handed, he maintained his position until another section could be got to his help. On two occasions, with two N.C.O.'s only, he got out on top under heavy machine gun and rifle fire, and cleared the enemy out of the trench, killing many. He continued to repel attack after attack until he was mortally wounded and collapsed. His valour, self-sacrifice and example were of the highest order.'


Sadly his body was never recovered and he is recorded on the Pozieres Memorial at the Somme. Apparently there is also a mountain named after him in Jasper Park, Alberta. I was just wondering was anyone familiar wth Mount de Wind?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_De_Wind


http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.c...l.asp?Id=64506


http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg...r&GRid=9467692


This is actually the second VC's house I have come into contact with - my doctors surgery is in a converted house that was formerly the home of Private William McFadzean, VC, also formerly of the Royal Irish Rifles. His citation reads;


"For most conspicuous bravery. While in a concentration trench and opening a box of bombs for distribution prior to an attack, the box slipped down into the trench, which was crowded with men, and two of the safety pins fell out. Private McFadzean, instantly realising the danger to his comrades, with heroic courage threw himself on the top of the bombs. The bombs exploded blowing him to pieces, but only one other man was injured. He well knew his danger, being himself a bomber, but without a moment's hesitation he gave his life for his comrades."


Sadly again his remains were never recovered and he is recorded on the memorial to the missing at Thiepval.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William...rick_McFadzean


http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg...r&GRid=9520163

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