Cyril Frisby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cyril Hubert Frisby
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 17 September 1885 New Barnet, Hertfordshire |
| Died | 10 September 1961 (aged 75) Guildford, Surrey |
| Buried |
Brookwood Cemetery
|
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Hampshire Regiment Coldstream Guards |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards |  Victoria Cross |
| Other work | Sport fisherman |
Cyril Frisby (born September 17, 1885 – died September 10, 1961) was a brave English soldier. He received the Victoria Cross (VC), which is the highest award for bravery in the face of the enemy for British and Commonwealth soldiers. He earned this special medal for his actions during World War I. After the war, he became well-known for his love of fishing.
Contents
Early Life
Cyril Hubert Frisby was born in New Barnet, Hertfordshire, on September 17, 1885. He was the second son of Henry and Zoe Frisby. He went to school at Haileybury College. In 1911, he became a member of the London Stock Exchange, which is a place where people buy and sell shares in companies. That same year, he married Audrey Ogilvie-Grant in London. They had a son two years later.
A Brave Soldier in World War I
Cyril Frisby joined the Hampshire Regiment in October 1916. He quickly began training to become an officer. By March 1917, he was made a second lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards. In November, he was sent to the Western Front, which was the main battle area in France and Belgium. Early the next year, he was promoted to acting captain.
The Battle of Canal du Nord
On September 27, 1918, during a big attack called the Hundred Days Offensive, Cyril Frisby's unit, the Coldstream Guards, was fighting in the Battle of Canal du Nord. Their mission was to capture a canal crossing near Graincourt. Captain Frisby was in charge of one of the attacking companies. His job was to cross the canal, set up defenses, and connect with another unit.
When his soldiers reached the canal, they faced a big problem. There was barbed wire and heavy machine-gun fire coming from a German post under a bridge on the other side. The soldiers could not move forward. Captain Frisby quickly realized that if this machine-gun post wasn't captured, their whole attack would fail.
He called for volunteers to follow him. He then bravely rushed forward with three other soldiers, including a lance-corporal named Thomas Jackson. They climbed down into the canal, even though bullets were flying everywhere. With twelve more men joining them, they managed to capture the German post, taking two machine-guns and twelve German soldiers.
Even though he was wounded in the leg, Captain Frisby continued to set up defensive lines as he was told. He also helped another company that had lost its leaders. He led them in fighting off a strong German counter-attack.
What is the Victoria Cross?
For his amazing bravery, Cyril Frisby was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC). This is the highest award for courage in battle for British and Commonwealth forces. Seven Victoria Crosses were given out for actions on that single day, September 27, 1918.
The official statement about his award said he showed "conspicuous bravery, leadership and devotion to duty." It explained how he captured the machine-gun post and saved the attack. It also mentioned how he helped another company and fought off a counter-attack, all while being wounded.
After the battle, Captain Frisby's unit moved back to Boursies. Sadly, Lance Corporal Thomas Jackson, who helped Frisby capture the post, was later killed in action. He was also awarded the Victoria Cross after his death.
On March 29, 1919, King George V presented Cyril Frisby with his medal at Buckingham Palace. Jackson's family was also there to receive his medal. Captain Frisby was able to tell them exactly how brave their relative had been. Cyril's brother, Lionel, also served in World War I and received a special award called the Distinguished Service Order.
Life After the War
After the war, Cyril Frisby spent a lot of his time tuna fishing. He became very famous in the sport and competed in fishing contests around the world. In the 1930s, while fishing off the coast of Scarborough, he caught a huge tuna that weighed about 659 pounds (299 kg). He even set a world record by catching 1.25 tons of fish in one day!
He was also active in the British Legion, an organization that helps former soldiers. In 1940, he became the president of a local branch, after serving as its vice-president.
Cyril Frisby passed away on September 10, 1961, at his home in Guildford. He was 75 years old. His wife had died almost a year before him. They are both buried in Brookwood Cemetery in Brookwood, Surrey.
Later, his son gave Cyril Frisby's medals to the Coldstream Guards Museum. These medals, including his Victoria Cross, are now on display at the regimental headquarters in London.
