Published in Windlesora 16 (1998)
Plagues in honour of each of Windsor’s two VCs were unveiled at their birthplaces in 1997.
Brigadier General Sir Alexander Hore-Ruthven
On 25th March, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead honoured one of its most distinguished military heroes with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to Alexander Hore-Ruthven VC, later the 1st Earl of Gowrie. He was born in Windsor on 6th July 1872 and won the Victoria Cross, the nation’s highest award for bravery, in Sudan in September 1898. His life story is told in more detail in Windlesora 14.
At The Hermitage in Hermitage Lane, Windsor, the citation was read by the Mayor, Councillor Mrs. Ady Sheldon, and the plaque was unveiled by the present Lord Gowrie, who is Chairman of the Arts Council of England and grandson of the 1st Earl.
The wording on the plaque reads:
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Brigadier General Sir Alexander Hore-Ruthven
1st Earl of Gowrie VC PC GCMG CB DSO
1872-1955 Born in Windsor
Awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in the Sudan in September 1808
Lt. Col. Harry Greenwood VC DSO OBE MC
Harry Greenwood was born at the Victoria Barracks, where his father was a serving soldier, on 25th November 1881. He won the Victoria Cross at Ovillers, France in October 1918. His life story and the circumstances surrounding the award of the VC are recorded in Windlesora 15.
His plaque was erected next to the main gates at Victoria Barracks and unveiled on 8th April by the Mayor who also read Lt Col Greenwood’s citation. Colonel Pat Porteous VC and representatives of the Victoria and George Cross Association, together with representatives from Lt Col Greenwood’s old regiment attended the ceremony.
The wording on the plaque reads:
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Lt. Col. Harry Greenwood VC DSO OBE MC
1881-1948 Born in Victoria Barracks
Awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery at Ovillers,
France in 1918 serving with the King’s Own
Yorkshire Light Infantry
Derek Hunt
Windsor Local History Group 