1. Geoffrey St George Shillington Cather was a 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.
14 Facts About Geoffrey Cather
1. 2.
Geoffrey Cather's mother was the sister of the politician David Graham Shillington.
3.
Geoffrey Cather was educated at Hazelwood School in Limpsfield before going onto Rugby School.
4.
Geoffrey Cather's schooling was curtailed in his mid-teens by the death of his father.
5.
Geoffrey Cather spent much of the period from 1911 to 1914 in the United States and Canada on business.
6.
On 3 September 1914, Cather enlisted in the British Army's Artists Rifles.
7.
Geoffrey Cather already had some military experience, having served for two years in the Territorial Force with the 19th Royal Fusiliers from 1909 to early 1911.
8.
Geoffrey Cather was accordingly granted a commission in the 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, which was part of the 36th Division.
9.
On 1 July 1916, the opening day of the battle, Geoffrey Cather's battalion was tasked with capturing Beaucourt Station, near Beaumont-Hamel.
10.
That night, Geoffrey Cather went out to locate and bring in wounded.
11.
Geoffrey Cather was able to retrieve three men before retiring for the night.
12.
Geoffrey Cather set a splendid example of courage and self sacrifice.
13.
Originally buried near where he was killed, Geoffrey Cather's grave was later lost.
14.
Geoffrey Cather's name is listed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, which was established near Thiepval in Picardy.