Ferdinand Le Quesne

He treated wounded officers within feet of an enemy stockade

Ferdinand Simeon Le Quesne VC was born in St Helier, Jersey, on 25 December 1863. He trained in medicine at King's College Hospital, London, and entered the army's medical service in 1886. His early appointments took him to Burma during campaigns against resistance to British rule.

On 4 May 1889, at Tartan, he attended a wounded officer only a few yards from an enemy stockade. Fire continued through its loopholes while he dressed the casualty's wounds. He remained exposed for about ten minutes rather than abandon his patient. Later he was severely wounded himself while treating another officer.

His medical courage brought the Victoria Cross, announced that October and presented in Rangoon in February 1890. He continued campaigning with the Chin Lushai Field Force in 1890 and the Wuntho Field Force the following year.

Promoted through the medical service, Le Quesne served in South Africa during 1901-02 and became a lieutenant-colonel in 1906. He also served during the First World War and retired in December 1918. His campaign group connects his Burma service, the South African War and the Western Front.

In retirement he lived in the West Country. He died in Bristol on 14 April 1950, aged 86, and was buried in Canford Cemetery. His medals were bequeathed to the Jersey collection, where they preserve the record of a long military medical career.

Official Victoria Cross citation

Displayed conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the attack on the village of Tartan, by a Column of the Chin Field Force, on the 4th May last, in having remained for the space of about ten minutes, in a very exposed position (within five yards of the loop-holed stockade from which the enemy were firing), dressing with perfect coolness and self-possession the wounds from which Second-Lieutenant Michel, Norfolk Regiment, shortly afterwards died. Surgeon Le Quesne was himself severely wounded later on whilst attending to the wounds of another Officer.

The London Gazette of 29 October 1889, Numb. 25988, p. 5721