John Schofield (VC) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Schofield
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| Born | 4 March 1892 Blackburn, Lancashire |
| Died | 9 April 1918 (aged 26) Givenchy, France |
| Buried |
Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
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| Battles/wars | World War I † |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
John Schofield VC (March 4, 1892 – April 9, 1918) was an English soldier. He was awarded the Victoria Cross, which is the highest and most important award for bravery given to British and Commonwealth forces. It is given for showing incredible courage when facing the enemy.
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Who Was John Schofield?
John Schofield was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. He lived from 1892 to 1918. He became a soldier in the British Army. He is remembered as a hero for his actions during World War I.
His Early Life and School
Before he joined the army, John Schofield went to Arnold School in Blackpool. His school still remembers him today. You can find many memorials to his brave actions there. There is a special plaque outside the school's memorial hall. Inside the hall, you can see the names of all the former students who died in the war.
A Heroic Deed in World War I
John Schofield was a Temporary second lieutenant in the 2/5th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers. He was 26 years old when he performed the brave act that earned him the Victoria Cross. This happened during World War I.
The Battle of Givenchy
On April 9, 1918, in Givenchy, France, Second Lieutenant Schofield led a small group of nine men. They faced a strong enemy position. About 100 enemy soldiers attacked them. But John Schofield was very skilled. He used his men and their weapons wisely. Because of his leadership, his group managed to capture 20 enemy soldiers.
Facing the Enemy Fearlessly
After this, John Schofield gathered his group, making it ten men. They moved towards the front line. There, they met a large number of enemy soldiers. Schofield's group immediately started firing at them. Then, John Schofield did something incredibly brave. He climbed onto a wall, even while machine-gun fire was aimed directly at him. His fearless actions made the enemy surrender. As a result, 123 enemy soldiers were captured. This included several officers.
His Sacrifice
Sadly, John Schofield was killed just a few minutes after this amazing act of bravery. He gave his life while serving his country. His Victoria Cross medal is now on display. You can see it at the Fusilier Museum in Bury, England.
