George Harry Wyatt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Henry Wyatt VC
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| Born | 5 September 1886 Worcester, Worcestershire |
| Died | 22 January 1964 (aged 77) Sprotborough, West Riding of Yorkshire |
| Buried |
Cadeby Churchyard
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1904 - 1909, 1914 - 1919 |
| Rank | Lance-Sergeant |
| Unit | Coldstream Guards |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Order of Saint George (Russia) |
| Other work | Police officer |
George Henry Wyatt (born September 5, 1886 – died January 22, 1964) was an English soldier. He received the Victoria Cross (VC), which is the highest award for bravery given to British and Commonwealth soldiers. This medal is given for amazing courage when facing the enemy.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the Army
George Henry Wyatt was born in Worcester, England, in 1886. When he was 18, he joined the Coldstream Guards in the British Army. This happened on November 23, 1904, in Birmingham. He first served with the 2nd Battalion in England. Later, he served with the 3rd Battalion in Egypt.
In 1909, George left the active army and joined the reserves. He then became a police officer in Barnsley. However, when the First World War began on August 5, 1914, he was called back to serve in the army.
Bravery in the First World War
During the First World War, George Wyatt was a Lance-Corporal in the 3rd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards. He was 27 years old at the time. His incredible act of bravery happened near Landrecies, France, on the night of August 25-26, 1914.
His battalion was fighting fiercely near some farm buildings. The enemy set fire to some straw sacks in the farmyard. This made it very dangerous and hard to hold their position.
On 25/26 August 1914 at Landrecies, France, part of Lance-Corporal Wyatt's battalion was hotly engaged close to some farm buildings, when the enemy set alight some straw sacks in the farmyard. The lance-corporal twice dashed out under very heavy fire from the enemy, only 25 yards (23 m) away, and extinguished the burning straw, making it possible to hold the position. Later, although wounded in the head, he continued firing until he could no longer see owing to the blood pouring down his face. The medical officer bound up his wound and ordered him to the rear, but he returned to the firing line and went on fighting
Lance-Corporal Wyatt bravely ran out twice into heavy enemy fire. The enemy soldiers were only about 25 yards away. He put out the burning straw, which helped his unit keep their position. Later, even after being wounded in the head, he kept fighting. Blood was flowing down his face, making it hard to see. A medic treated his wound and told him to go to the back, but George Wyatt went right back to the front line and kept fighting. For his amazing courage, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was later promoted to Lance-Sergeant in 1917 and left the army in 1919.
Life After the War
After the war, George Wyatt returned to his job as a police officer. He served in the Doncaster Police force until he retired in 1934. He passed away on January 22, 1964. He is buried at St John the Evangelist's Church, Cadeby near Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Awards and Recognition
George Henry Wyatt received several important awards for his service and bravery:
- Victoria Cross
- 1914 Star and Bar
- British War Medal
- Victory Medal
- 1937 Coronation Medal
- 1953 Coronation Medal
- Order of St George (3rd Class) from Russia
