Christopher Bushell

Leading a counterattack despite a serious wound to his head.

Christopher Bushell was born at Neston, Cheshire, on October 31, 1888. Educated at Rugby and Corpus Christi College, Oxford, he became a barrister before joining the Special Reserve of The Queen’s Royal (West Surrey) Regiment in 1912. He went to France with the original British Expeditionary Force in August 1914 and was seriously wounded at the Aisne the following month.

After returning to France in 1915, he served in staff appointments and rose to temporary lieutenant colonel commanding the 7th Battalion. His Distinguished Service Order was announced in January 1918.

On March 23, 1918, near Tergnier during the German spring offensive, Bushell led C Company in a counterattack alongside Allied troops. A severe head wound did not stop him from reorganising the line and establishing a defensive flank. After reporting to brigade headquarters and having his wound dressed, he returned to the troops under machine-gun and rifle fire. He continued encouraging them until he had to be carried away in a fainting condition. This leadership earned him the Victoria Cross, gazetted on May 3, 1918.

Bushell was killed leading his battalion near Morlancourt on August 8, 1918, aged 29. He is buried at Querrieu British Cemetery in France. His family donated his Victoria Cross, DSO and campaign group to the regimental museum collection in 2003.

**Victoria Cross citation**

“For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in command of his battalion. Lieut.-Colonel Bushell personally led C Company of his battalion, who were co-operating with an Allied regiment in a counter-attack, in face of very heavy machine-gun fire. In the course of this attack he was severely wounded in the head, but continued to carry on, walking about in front of both English and Allied troops, encouraging and reorganising them.

He refused even to have his wound attended to until he had placed the whole line in a sound position, and formed a defensive flank to meet a turning movement by the enemy. He then went to Brigade Headquarters and reported the situation, had his wound dressed, and returned to the firing line, which had come back a short distance.

He visited every portion of the line, both English and Allied, in the face of terrific machine-gun and rifle fire, exhorting the troops to remain where they were and to kill the enemy. In spite of the wounds, this gallant officer refused to go to the rear, and had eventually to be removed to the dressing station in a fainting condition.

To the magnificent example of energy, devotion and courage shown by their commanding officer is attributed the fine spirit displayed and the keen fight put up by his battalion, not only on the day in question, but on each succeeding day of the withdrawal.”