Charles Ernest Garforth

He cut wire under fire and returned to rescue trapped troops

Charles Ernest Garforth was born at Willesden Green, London, on 23 October 1891. He worked in boot and shoe repair and in his father's bakery before joining the Territorial Force in 1909. He enlisted in the 15th Hussars in May 1911 and served in South Africa before returning to Britain in 1913.

He went to France in August 1914. At Harmignies on 23 August he cut wire under heavy fire, enabling his squadron to escape. At Dammartin on 2 September he freed a soldier trapped beneath a dead horse. The following day he rescued a sergeant and held off the enemy long enough for him to reach safety. These actions brought the Victoria Cross. He also served at the Marne and Aisne and was mentioned in despatches.

Captured at Laventie on 13 October 1914, Garforth made three unsuccessful escape attempts before reaching the Netherlands in March 1918. He returned to Britain in November and received his VC from George V the following month. He resumed regimental service in Germany and Ireland, reached sergeant and left the army in 1922.

He subsequently worked as a clerk, policeman and security officer, becoming an air raid precautions instructor during the Second World War and later a warehouse manager. He retired in 1956 and died at Beeston, Nottinghamshire, on 1 July 1973. His ashes were placed at Wilford Hill after cremation.

Official Victoria Cross citation

At Harmignies on 23rd August volunteered to cut wire under fire which enabled his squadron to escape. At Dammartin he carried a man out of action. On 3rd September, when under maxim fire, he extricated a sergeant whose horse had been shot, and by opening fire for 3 minutes enabled the sergeant to get away safely.

Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 13 November 1914. 16 November 1914, Numb. 28976, p. 9374. Repeated in The London Gazette of 17 November 1914, Numb. 28977, p. 9403