Victoria Crosses on the Western Front – The Final Advance in Flanders and Artois (Paperback)

This is another splendid book in the Paul Oldfield VC Research from the Great War. The author pays the ultimate tribute to these special Generation by seeking to include memorials to each VC and their biographies. A solid mixture of military history, genealogy and indeed local history, which is presented to the reader in a format that ready for the reader both on a battlefield tour, and equally at home on a winter's evening.

All stories included zone in on that action that was taking place in Belgium during the latter stages of the war on the Western Front. Map on the opening pages provide an instant point of reference to where each V.C. action took place, thus given any reader and battlefield visitor a crucial point of reference to work with, alongside the incorporated stories.

Again, what makes this series so special is that they don't just tell the story as it took place on the battlefield, but provide a fully researched and comprehensive overview of each individual.

Just one fascinating story is that of Acting Sergeant Louis McGuffie, 1/5th Battalion the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. Having already served and been wounded at Gallipoli, Louis was awarded the V.C. for bravery and leadership under heavy fire near Wytschaete, 28th September, 1918, where he singlehandedly entered dug-outs and taking prisoners, and capturing further prisoners later. Being killed by a shell not long after, his story alone is captivating.

His V.C. was presented to his mother by the King at Buckingham Palace on the 17th May 1919. His mother was given a civic reception when she returned to Wigtown, where she was met by the Provost and other dignitaries and was escorted home by a local band. As with all of the individual stories, the author has researched in great detail the locality that each man originated from. In Louis case, this includes photographs of him home area, including the war memorial, with his name on it and the VC Memorial garden. As the same time, there is a photograph of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers Museum in Berwick-upon-Tweed. If you had a particularly V.C.story therefore that you are concentrating on, this is a reminder that - as with the stories all who served in both wars - that it is as much a story to the locality as that of the Western Front. Stories come full circle.

As with all Paul Oldfield's work on this front, the author wonderfully breaks down the key military Abbreviations for those of us less initiated. This is such a continually helpful point of reference throughout the whole book with clarity of headings such as CLB, RAP and RSM for example; all of huge help, CLB refers Church Lads Brigade by the way.

The list of sources at the back of the book in itself is helpful for anyone seeking to research these further stories, or indeed to work with them. Furthermore, the Useful Information at the back guidelines and tips for visiting the battlefields, along with the useful reminder that 'Some details may be affected by Brexit', is of such help for anyone seeking to make the trip across to the battlefields.

We all owe a huge debt of gratitude again to Paul Oldfield for his research and commitment to all of these stories. It will ensure that these stories of courage are not forgotten and indeed that future generations can be inspired by them.

Jon Sandison - Teacher of History