8-586: Major William Thomas Forshaw VC (20 April 1890 – 26 May 1943) was an English 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. Forshaw was born 20 April 1890 in Barrow-in-Furness . In civilian life Forshaw was a teacher and was teaching at the North Manchester School,
16-750: A prep school for The Manchester Grammar School , immediately before the outbreak of the First World War . When he was 25 years old, and a Lieutenant (temporary Captain ) in the 1/9th Battalion, Manchester Regiment , Territorial Force during the First World War, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions between 7 and 9 August 1915 in Gallipoli , Turkey at the Battle of Krithia Vineyard . The London Gazette of 9 September 1915 reported ..when holding
24-625: Is a military rank which is used by both the British Army and Royal Marines . The rank is superior to captain and subordinate to lieutenant colonel . The insignia for a major is a crown . The equivalent rank in the Royal Navy is lieutenant commander , and squadron leader in the Royal Air Force . By the time of the Napoleonic wars , an infantry battalion usually had two majors, designated
32-411: The "senior major" and the "junior major". The senior major effectively acted as second-in-command and the majors often commanded detachments of two or more companies split from the main body. The second-in-command of a battalion or regiment is still a major. During World War I, majors wore the following cuff badges: During World War I, some officers took to wearing similar jackets to the men, with
40-406: The following day. By World War I , majors were often commanding independent companies, squadrons , and batteries , but those that were organically part of a regiment or battalion were still usually commanded by captains. After World War II , major became the usual rank held by officers commanding all companies, squadrons, and batteries. In the 21st century British Army, officers normally attain
48-499: The north-west corner of " The Vineyard " against heavy attacks by the Turks, Lieutenant Forshaw not only directed his men but personally threw bombs continuously for over 40 hours. When his detachment was relieved, he volunteered to continue directing the defence. Later, when the Turks captured a portion of the trench, he shot three of them and recaptured it. It was due to his fine example and magnificent courage that this very important position
56-457: The rank badges on the shoulder, as the cuff badges made them conspicuous to snipers. This practice was frowned on outside the trenches but was given official sanction in 1917 as an alternative, being made permanent in 1920 when the cuff badges were abolished. From 1 April 1918 to 31 July 1919, the Royal Air Force maintained the rank of major. It was superseded by the rank of squadron leader on
64-616: Was held. He later achieved the rank of Major . He died on 26 May 1943 and was buried at Touchen End , Berkshire in an unmarked grave. For many years the grave was unmarked but a new stone was erected in 1994 though not on the exact site. His Victoria Cross and other campaign medals are displayed at the Museum of the Manchester Regiment, Ashton-under-Lyne , England in the Forshaw Room. Major (United Kingdom) Major ( Maj )
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