Cuthbert Bromley

Braved Gallipoli gunfire and returned to lead his battalion.

Cuthbert Bromley was born on 19 September 1878, the son of John and Marie Louise Bromley. Educated at St Paul's School, he served in the King's Liverpool Regiment militia before joining the Lancashire Fusiliers as a second lieutenant in May 1898. He became a captain in 1901 and served with the West African Frontier Force in eastern Nigeria. Later postings included India as a transport officer and work supervising army gymnastics in Ireland.

By May 1914 he was adjutant of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. On 25 April 1915 the battalion landed at W Beach, Cape Helles, Gallipoli, under intense fire. Survivors forced their way through wire and gained the heights. Bromley's courage was recognised through the selection of his comrades for one of the battalion's six Victoria Crosses associated with the landing.

Wounded in the back, he stayed with his men until a knee wound at Krithia three days later forced evacuation. He returned on 17 May. In June he attempted to retrieve wounded men, became a major and took temporary command when his commanding officer fell ill. Wounded again at Gully Ravine on 28 June, he was evacuated for treatment and convalescence.

Bromley was returning to Gallipoli aboard the troopship Royal Edward when it was torpedoed on 13 August 1915. He died at sea, aged 36, and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial. His Victoria Cross was gazetted on 15 March 1917 and presented posthumously to his mother by King George V on 31 March.

Official Victoria Cross citation

On the 25th April, 1915, headquarters and three companies of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, in effecting a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula to the West of Cape Helles, were met by very deadly fire from hidden machine guns, which caused a great number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up to and cut the wire entangements, notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy, and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained. Amongst the many very gallant officers and men engaged in this most hazardous undertaking, Captain Bromley, Serjeant Stubbs, and Corporal Grimshaw have been selected by their comrades as having performed the most signal acts of bravery and devotion to duty. The above awards of the Victoria Cross are to be read in conjunction with those conferred on the undermentioned for most conspicuous bravery on the same occasion:– Capt. Richard Raymond Willis, 1st Bn., Lan. Fus. No. 1293 Sjt. Alfred Richards, 1st Bn., Lan. Fus. No. 1809 Pte. William Keneally, 1st Bn., Lan. Fus. See London Gazette, dated 24th August, 1915. NOTE:- Consequent on the award of the Victoria Cross the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to No. 2609 Sjt. John Grimshaw, 1st Bn., Lan. Fus., which was published in the London Gazette dated 16th November, 1915, is hereby cancelled.

Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 13 March 1917. 15 March 1917, Numb. 29985, p. 2619