Issue101 For Valour

Nevill Holt, a part of Medbourne, is within our Branch's area. When visiting the school there recently I noticed among names of Old Boys who served in the First World War that of T.H.B. MAUFE V.C. Further research led me to the school's Second World War Memorial Gates and the same name appeared among those who were killed 1939 -1945.

Having contacted a previous Headmaster I was given further information as follows: "Thomas Harold Broadbent MAUFE was at school from January 1907 until 1912 when he went to Uppingham & then joined the Royal Garrison Artillery when 18 years of age. I have no details of how he won the V.C. but I know he went to Clare College, Cambridge after the war, and graduated. He was accidentally killed on Home Guard exercises in March 1942." (at the age of 43.)

As I was curious about how he won this coveted award, I investigated further and the following was eventually sent me from the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association:-

"MAUFE, Thomas Harold Broadbent, Second Lieut (later Captain) served in the European War and was awarded the Victoria Cross when 19 years of age.”

The London Gazette dated 2nd August 1917 announced:

"T.H.B. Maufe, Second Lieut., R.G.A. For most conspicuous bravery and initiative on 4 June 1917 at Feuchy, France. Under intense artillery fire this officer on his own initiative repaired, unaided, the telephone line between the forward and rear positions, thereby enabling his battery to immediately open fire on the enemy. Second Lieut. Maufe further saved what might have proved a most disastrous occurrence by extinguishing a fire in an advanced ammunition dump, caused by a heavy explosion, regardless of the risk he ran from the effects of gas shells which he knew were in the dump. By this great promptitude, resource and entire disregard of his own personal safety, he set an exceptionally fine example to all ranks."

His memorial is in Ilkley Cemetery, Yorkshire, his home town.

The Victoria Cross is the highest British decoration for valour and is awarded for conspicuous bravery in wartime. It was instituted on Jan. 29, 1856, by Queen Victoria and made retroactive to 1854, the period of the Crimean War.

The first Victoria Crosses were presented on June 26, 1857. The earliest ones were cast from Russian guns captured in the Crimean War. The award was from the beginning open to all ranks of all armed services. The right to receive the Victoria ross was extended to Indian soldiers in 1911. It has also been won by citizens of other Commonwealth nations.

The medal is bronze, 4cm across and has a crimson ribbon.