George Strong (VC)

He grabbed a fused shell and threw it clear of the trenches.

George Strong came from Odcombe, near Yeovil in Somerset, and entered the Coldstream Guards in November 1854. As a private, he served in the later stages of the Crimean War and the operations around Sevastopol.

During September 1855, while on trench duty, a live shell landed near him. Strong picked it up and threw it over the parapet before it could explode among the soldiers. His action removed the immediate danger to the men around him. It was subsequently recognised with the Victoria Cross in the first list of awards, published in February 1857.

Queen Victoria presented the decoration at Hyde Park on 26 June 1857. Strong also received the Crimea Medal with the Sebastopol clasp and the Turkish Crimea Medal. He continued serving in the Coldstream Guards until November 1864, leaving the Army without having advanced beyond private.

After his discharge he lived in Wiltshire and married Eliza Dickenson. He died at Sherston Magna on 25 August 1888 and was buried in the churchyard of Holy Cross. His precise grave location was later lost, but a memorial stone was placed beside that of his brother. His medals passed into the custody of the Coldstream Guards and preserve the story of a soldier who acted instantly when a shell fell into his trench.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For having, when on duty in the trenches in the month of September 1855, removed a live shell from the place where it had fallen.

Supplement to The London Gazette of 24 February 1857. 24 February 1857, Numb. 21971, p. 657