George Roupell

Wounded again, he crossed shellfire and held his own troops.

George Rowland Patrick Roupell was born in Tipperary on 7 April 1892 into an Army family. After Rossall School and Sandhurst, he joined the East Surrey Regiment in March 1912. He landed in France in August 1914 and fought during the retreat from Mons and the subsequent battles on the Marne, Aisne and at Ypres.

On 20 April 1915, at Hill 60, Roupell commanded a company under heavy bombardment and repeated German attacks. Though wounded, he returned to his men after brief treatment. When the situation became critical, he crossed exposed ground to battalion headquarters, explained the danger and brought back reinforcements. His leadership helped the company hold its ground until the following morning. George V presented his Victoria Cross in July.

Roupell's later wartime service included staff work and the Allied intervention in North Russia. Captured in 1919, he was imprisoned in Moscow before release in 1920. Between the wars he served in India, taught at the Royal Military College of Canada and commanded the 1st East Surreys after service in China.

In 1940 he commanded 36th Infantry Brigade with the British Expeditionary Force. Cut off during the collapse in France, he evaded capture for roughly two years with French help before escaping through Spain and Gibraltar in 1942. He then commanded the Chatham garrison until the end of the war and retired with honorary brigadier rank.

Roupell continued public and regimental work, including command of a Surrey Home Guard formation, appointment as a deputy lieutenant and service as colonel of the East Surreys. He was appointed a Companion of the Bath in 1956 and later led the Old Contemptibles' Association. His first wife Doris died in 1958; he married Rachel the following year. He died at Shalford, Surrey, on 4 March 1974.

Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on April 20th, 1915, when he was commanding a company of his battalion in a front trench on “Hill 60,” which was subjected to a most severe bombardment throughout the day. Though wounded in several places, he remained at his post and led his company in repelling a strong German assault. During a lull in the bombardment he had his wounds hurriedly dressed, and then insisted in returning to his trench, which was again being subjected to a severe bombardment. Towards evening, his company being dangerously weakened, he went back to his battalion headquarters, represented the situation to his Commanding Officer, and brought up reinforcements, passing backwards and forwards over ground swept by heavy fire. With these reinforcements he held his position throughout the night, and until his battalion was relieved next morning. This young Officer was one of the few survivors of his company, and showed a magnificent example of courage, devotion and tenacity, which undoubtedly inspired his men to hold out till the end.