John Leslie Green facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Leslie Green
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Captain J.L.Green
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| Born | 4 December 1888 Buckden, Huntingdonshire, England |
| Died | 1 July 1916 (aged 27) Foncquevillers, France |
| Buried |
Foncquevillers Military (CWGC) Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1916 † |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | The Sherwood Foresters |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
John Leslie Green was a brave English soldier and doctor. He received the Victoria Cross (VC), which is the highest award for courage in battle given to British and Commonwealth forces. He was a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps and served with The Sherwood Foresters during the First World War.
Captain Green earned his Victoria Cross for his amazing bravery on July 1, 1916. This was during a huge battle called the Battle of the Somme. Sadly, he was killed in action that day, but his heroic actions are still remembered.
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Early Life and Becoming a Doctor
John Leslie Green was born in a place called Buckden, England, on December 4, 1888. His family called him Leslie. His father owned land and was also a local judge.
Leslie went to Felsted School and then studied at Downing College, Cambridge. He decided he wanted to be a doctor. So, he went to St Bartholomew's Hospital in London to study medicine. By 1911, he had finished his training and became a qualified medical doctor. He even worked at Huntingdon County Hospital.
Serving in the First World War
When the First World War started, John Leslie Green joined the army. He became an officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps, which is the part of the army with doctors and medical staff.
At first, he worked as a medical officer with another group of soldiers. Later, he joined the Sherwood Foresters regiment. He went with them to France, where many battles were fought. His unit was part of a big battle called the Battle of Loos. Sadly, his brother, who was also a soldier, was killed in this battle.
Bravery at the Battle of the Somme
On July 1, 1916, a very important and difficult battle began. It was called the Battle of the Somme. Captain Green's unit, the Sherwood Foresters, had a tough job. They were supposed to capture a place called Gommecourt Wood.
As the soldiers moved forward, they faced heavy machine gun fire. It was very dangerous. Captain Green was at the back of his group when he saw Captain Frank Robinson. Captain Robinson was wounded and stuck in barbed wire, right in the middle of the enemy's gunfire.
Under constant machine gun fire, Captain Green bravely went to help. He managed to pull Captain Robinson to a nearby shell hole, which is a dip in the ground made by an explosion. There, he started to treat Captain Robinson's wounds.
Captain Green then tried to carry the wounded officer back to safety, towards the British lines. As he was doing this, Captain Robinson was hit again. While Captain Green was trying to help him with this new wound, he was tragically killed by gunfire to the head.
Even though Captain Green died, Captain Robinson was eventually taken to a hospital. Sadly, he passed away from his wounds two days later. Captain Robinson was only 23 years old and known for his courage.
The Victoria Cross Award
For his incredible bravery on July 1, 1916, Captain John Leslie Green was given the Victoria Cross (VC). This award was created in 1856 and is the highest honor for courage a soldier can receive in the British Empire.
The official statement about his award said that he showed "most conspicuous devotion to duty." It explained how he helped a wounded officer who was stuck on enemy wire, even though he himself was wounded. He dragged the officer to a shell hole and treated his wounds, all while bombs and grenades were being thrown at him. The statement ended by saying that Captain Green was killed while trying to bring the wounded officer to safety.
Captain Green is buried at Foncquevillers Military Cemetery in France. In 1921, his father built a special memorial in Buckden village for the men who died in the war. Both of his sons' names are on this memorial. There is also a road named Leslie Green Road in Houghton to remember him. Plaques honoring him can also be found at Felsted School and the Royal Army Medical Corps College in London.
The Victoria Cross Medal
Captain Green had married Edith Moss, who was also a doctor, earlier in 1916. King George V presented her with Captain Green's Victoria Cross medal on October 7, 1916.
Later, Edith remarried. She decided to give Captain Green's medal to the Royal Army Medical Corps. Today, you can see his Victoria Cross displayed at the Museum of Military Medicine in Mytchett, Surrey. It reminds everyone of his amazing bravery and sacrifice.
