1. Brigadier General Charles FitzClarence, VC was an Anglo-Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
16 Facts About Charles FitzClarence
1. 2.
Charles FitzClarence was born in County Kildare, the son of Captain George FitzClarence and Maria Henrietta Scott.
3.
Charles FitzClarence was commissioned as a subaltern, with the rank of lieutenant, into the 3rd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment in February 1885.
4.
Charles FitzClarence was promoted to captain, on augmentation, in April 1898.
5.
Captain Charles FitzClarence was the first man into the position and accounted for four of the enemy with his sword.
6.
Charles FitzClarence was a brigade major with the Rhodesian Brigade from August 1900.
7.
Charles FitzClarence served in South Africa, being promoted from supernumerary captain to captain on augmentation in January 1901, until February 1901, at which point he transferred to the newly formed Irish Guards.
8.
Charles FitzClarence passed out from the Staff College, Camberley, which he entered as a student in January 1902, in January 1903, Charles FitzClarence then served as a brigade major of the 5th Infantry Brigade from April 1903 until 1906.
9.
Charles FitzClarence had a reputation as a forward thinking soldier and took an innovative, albeit demanding, approach to training.
10.
Charles FitzClarence was promoted to colonel, dated March 1913, and in July went on to command the Irish Guards and regimental district again taking over Nugent.
11.
Charles FitzClarence held this command until he was killed in action on 12 November 1914.
12.
Charles FitzClarence "rallied the troops and directed the successful onslaught".
13.
Charles FitzClarence fell dead, and neither Charles FitzClarence himself, nor Sir John French knew how well he had served his country at Gheluvelt.
14.
Charles FitzClarence was killed in action, aged 49, at Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke, Belgium, on 12 November 1914 whilst commanding the 1st Brigade.
15.
Charles FitzClarence is the highest-ranking officer inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, commemorating those with no known grave.
16.
Charles FitzClarence's VC is in the Lord Ashcroft VC Gallery in the Imperial War Museum, London.