Published in Windlesora 35
© WLHG 2019
A commemorative paving stone in honour of Lt Col Harry Greenwood VC DSO OBE MC has been unveiled at Bachelors Acre Memorial Garden, The stone was unveiled by Mr Jeffery Branch, Vice Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire on Tuesday, 23 October 2018 as part of a national campaign to lay commemorative paving stones at the birth places of all First World War recipients of the Victoria Cross.
Harry Greenwood was born on 25 November 1881 at Victoria Barracks, where there is now a blue plaque to record his birth. He was awarded the VC ‘for most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and fine leadership on the 23rd/24th October 1918‘ (1) whilst in command of 9th Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) (2)
The Mayor of the Royal Borough, Cllr Paul Lion, welcomed guests and Colonel Dan Reeve MC, late of the Rifles, read Lt Col Greenwood’s VC citation. After the unveiling by Mr Branch, the paving stone was blessed by the Rev John Quick, Associate Priest, Windsor Parish Church.
Michael Greenwood, Harry’s great-great nephew, spoke on behalf of the family and then read the names of members of 9th KOYLI who were killed over the two-day VC action, Michael said: ‘He would have wanted us to honour those men who fought with him but did not survive.
Wreaths were laid on the paving stone and Last Post was sounded. followed by a minute’s silence, before Reveille was sounded.
Over 50 members of the Greenwood family attended, some travelling from the USA, Canada and Australia, as well as many more from the UK. to be there. After the ceremony there was a reception at the Guildhall.
For more information about Lieutenant Colonel Greenwood VC please see: Windlesora No 15: “Valour Beyond All Praise: Harry Greenwood VC” by Derek Hunt.
Derek Hunt
Notes
- From the VC citation in The London Gazette, 26 December 1918
- After a series of mergers, the KOYLI are now part of The Rifles.
52