John Alexander Christie

He broke up two counterattacks at Fejja

John Alexander Christie was born at Edmonton, London, on 14 May 1895, the son of Scottish parents. Known as Jock, he worked in the parcels department at Euston station and continued his education at the Working Men’s College. He enlisted in the Finsbury Rifles, the 1/11th Battalion of the London Regiment, in September 1914.

He landed at Gallipoli in August 1915 and was soon wounded. After treatment in Egypt and Britain, he rejoined the battalion and served in the Palestine campaign. Training as a bomber prepared him for the close fighting in communication trenches.

During the night of 21-22 December 1917 at Fejja, the enemy counterattacked a newly captured position. Christie took grenades over the parapet and moved alone along the communication trench, bombing the advancing troops while his comrades established a block. Hearing another party behind him as he returned, he turned back and broke up a further attack. His initiative protected the position at a critical moment and earned the Victoria Cross.

Wounded again in 1918, he eventually returned to Britain and received the decoration from George V at Buckingham Palace on 18 November. After demobilization he resumed railway work. The London and North Western Railway named a locomotive after him in 1920.

Christie later moved into commercial work, married Muriel Newton in 1931 and settled near Stockport. During the Second World War he served with the Auxiliary Fire Service and the Special Constabulary. His business career included senior work in the food and drinks trades.

He became the first treasurer of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association and helped organize its reunions and centenary events. A keen golfer, he also served his local club as captain and president. Following a stroke in March 1967, he died at Bramhall on 10 September. His ashes were scattered at the local crematorium.