The First World War (1914–1918) was a global conflict. It was primarily fought between the Allied Powers, including Britain, France, and Russia. The Central Powers, mainly Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire, opposed them. Sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the war quickly escalated due to complex alliances and rivalries.
Much of the fighting occurred in Europe. It was particularly intense on the Western Front, where trench warfare caused massive casualties and led to a stalemate. New technologies like machine guns, tanks, and poison gas made the war especially deadly. The conflict ended with the defeat of the Central Powers. Empires collapsed, and the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 imposed harsh terms on Germany. The war caused over 16 million deaths and reshaped the political map of the world.
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Francis Octavus Grenfell VC
WW1-000316 November 1914
Francis Grenfell, awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in 1914, served in the 9th Lancers and died in 1915.
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George Arthur Boyd-Rochfort VC
WW1-00021 September 1915
George Boyd-Rochfort displayed extraordinary bravery during WWI by saving his comrades from a bomb, earning the Victoria Cross.
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William Thomas Forshaw VC
WW1-00189 September 1915
Despite injuries and exhaustion, he courageously defended The Vineyard for 41 hours, repelling repeated Turkish assaults and attacks.
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Percy Hansen VC
WW1-00141 October 1915
Captain Hansen repeatedly braved intense enemy fire and burning scrub at Gallipoli, rescuing six wounded comrades from death.
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Oliver Brooks VC
WW1-001728 October 1915
Lance-Sergeant Brooks courageously led a bombing party at Loos, recapturing lost trenches through exceptional bravery and decisive leadership.
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Arthur Hugh Henry Batten-Pooll VC
WW1-00045 August 1916
Despite severe wounds, he courageously led his raiding party, directed operations, rescued wounded comrades and refused assistance.
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John Vaughan Campbell VC
WW1-000126 October 1916
His courageous leadership rallied troops under devastating fire, capturing enemy machine guns and securing vital objectives for victory.
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William La Touche Congreve VC
WW1-000526 October 1916
He displayed exceptional courage throughout fourteen days of fighting, leading his battalion, rescuing wounded comrades and ultimately falling.
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Bernard Cyril Freyberg VC
WW1-000715 December 1916
Lieutenant-Colonel Freyberg repeatedly rallied troops, captured enemy positions and hundreds of prisoners, displaying extraordinary courage despite multiple wounds.
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John Spencer Dunville VC
WW1-00082 August 1917
Despite severe wounds, he courageously protected engineers demolishing enemy wire, directing the successful raid before succumbing to injuries.
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Sir John Reginald Noble Graham VC
WW1-000614 September 1917
Despite repeated wounds, he courageously commanded his machine guns under heavy fire, repelling a powerful enemy counter-attack.
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Lewis Pugh Evans VC
WW1-001026 November 1917
success of the operation Despite two severe wounds, he courageously led his battalion, captured enemy machine guns and secured vital objectives.
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Arthur Drummond Borton VC
WW1-001118 December 1917
He courageously reorganised his battalion under heavy fire, captured enemy positions and led volunteers against enemy artillery guns.
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Neville Bowes Elliott-Cooper VC
WW1-001213 February 1918
Despite severe wounds, he courageously led a counterattack, delaying enemy advances and sacrificing his freedom to protect reinforcements.
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Thomas Tannatt Pryce VC
WW1-001922 May 1918
He courageously led Grenadier Guards against overwhelming forces, defending their position for ten hours before a final bayonet charge.
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Julian Royds Gribble VC
WW1-000928 June 1918
Captain Julian Gribble displayed extraordinary bravery in combat, delaying enemy advances and inspiring his men to hold their position.
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Geoffrey Heneage Drummond VC
WW1-001328 August 1918
Despite severe wounds, Lieutenant Drummond courageously navigated Ostend harbour, rescuing forty men from Vindictive before collapsing from exhaustion.
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Ferdinand Maurice Felix West VC
WW1-00158 November 1918
Despite a devastating leg wound, he courageously fought off enemy aircraft, regained control and landed his aircraft safely.
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Harry Greenwood VC
WW1-001626 December 1918
He courageously captured an enemy machine-gun post single-handedly, then led his battalion to victory, securing 150 prisoners.