Frederick Charles Booth

Rescued a wounded soldier and rallied troops in African bush

Frederick Charles Booth was born in Holloway, London, on 6 March 1890 and was educated at Cheltenham College. He worked in a London bank before joining the British South Africa Police in 1912. During the First World War he served in southern and eastern Africa. In 1916, as a sergeant, he was attached to the newly formed Rhodesia Native Regiment and accompanied it to German East Africa.

On 12 February 1917, at Johannesbruck near Songea, Booth went forward alone under heavy rifle fire to bring back a dangerously wounded soldier. He then rallied disorganised troops and brought them back to the firing line. These actions earned him the Victoria Cross. He also received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for repeated gallantry and leadership, including carrying despatches through enemy lines. Commissioned during the campaign, he was subsequently wounded and evacuated from East Africa. King George V presented his Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace on 16 January 1918.

Booth became a captain in the Middlesex Regiment on 13 February 1918 and resigned his commission on 6 June 1919. He married Dolores Pauling at Effingham, Surrey, in 1921. After the outbreak of the Second World War he returned to military service, receiving a commission as a second lieutenant in the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps with effect from 3 December 1939. By 1956 he was working as a warehouseman in a large store in Bayswater, London. He died at the Red Cross Convalescent Hospital for Officers in Brighton on 14 September 1960 and was buried in Bear Road Cemetery.

Victoria Cross citation, The London Gazette, 8 June 1917:

For most conspicuous bravery during an attack, in thick bush, on the enemy position. Under very heavy rifle fire, Sjt. Booth went forward alone and brought in a man who was dangerously wounded. Later, he rallied native troops who were badly disorganised, and brought them to the firing line. This N.C.O. has on many previous occasions displayed the greatest bravery, coolness and resource in action, and has set a splendid example of pluck, endurance and determination.