Robert Quigg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Quigg
VC
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Mural in Belfast's Cregagh estate commemorating Northern Irish VC recipients. Quigg is at the lower left
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| Born | 28 February 1885 Ardihannon, County Antrim, Ireland |
| Died | 14 May 1955 (aged 70) Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| Buried |
Billy Parish Churchyard
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1926 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Service number | 12/18645 |
| Unit | Royal Irish Rifles |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards |
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| Other work | agricultural labourer |
Robert Quigg VC (born February 28, 1885 – died May 14, 1955) was a very brave Irish soldier. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for courage in the face of the enemy. This special medal can be given to soldiers from the British and Commonwealth armies. Robert Quigg earned his Victoria Cross during the First World War at a huge battle called the Battle of the Somme.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Robert Quigg was born on February 28, 1885. He grew up in a small place called Ardihannon, near Bushmills in County Antrim, Ireland. He was one of six children. His father worked as a boatman and a guide at the famous Giant's Causeway. Robert went to the Giant's Causeway National School. Later, he worked on the Macnaghten family's estate at Dunderave. He was also part of a group called the Ulster Volunteer Force. In 1913, he was in charge of the Bushmills Volunteers.
Serving in the First World War
Soon after the First World War started, many members of the Ulster Volunteer Force were asked to join the British Army. Robert Quigg joined the Royal Irish Rifles and became a private soldier in their 12th Battalion. His officer was Sir Edward Harry Macnaghten, from the estate where Robert used to work. Robert's regiment became part of the 36th (Ulster) Division. They went to the Western Front (the main battlefields in France and Belgium) in October 1915.
The Battle of the Somme
From March 1916, the 36th Division was near Thiepval Wood. They were about to take part in the huge Battle of the Somme. Their job was to advance towards a place called Grandcourt. On July 1, the first day of the battle, Robert's unit started from the village of Hamel. They moved towards the German lines. However, they faced very heavy machine-gun fire and explosions from shells. Robert's group had to retreat three times because of the strong German attacks.
A Heroic Rescue Mission
By the evening of July 1, many soldiers from the 12th Battalion were dead or wounded. They were lying in "no man's land", the dangerous area between the two armies. The next morning, Robert heard that his officer, Sir Edward Macnaghten, was missing and possibly wounded. Robert bravely volunteered to go out and look for him. He made seven trips into "no man's land" by himself. Each time, he brought back a wounded soldier to safety. He was unable to find Sir Edward Macnaghten, whose body was never found. Sir Edward is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
Receiving the Victoria Cross
Because of his amazing bravery, Robert Quigg was put forward for the Victoria Cross (VC). This medal was first given out in 1856 and is the highest award for courage in the British Empire. The official report about his bravery said:
No. 12/18645 Pte. Robert Quigg, R. Ir. Rif. For most conspicuous bravery. He advanced to the assault with his platoon three times. Early next morning, hearing a rumour that his platoon officer was lying out wounded, he went out seven times to look for him under heavy shell and machine gun fire, each time bringing back a wounded man. The last man he dragged in on a waterproof sheet from within a few yards of the enemy's wire. He was seven hours engaged in this most gallant work, and finally was so exhausted that he had to give it up.
King George V himself presented Robert with his Victoria Cross. This happened at York Cottage in Sandringham. When Robert returned home to Bushmills, many people came out to welcome him. Lady Macnaghten, Sir Edward's mother, gave Robert a gold watch. This was to thank him for trying to find her son. Robert also received a Russian medal called the Order of St. George (Fourth Class). He went back to fighting and served in other places like Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) and Egypt. He finished the war as a sergeant.
Life After the War
Robert Quigg stayed in the British Army after the war. However, he had a bad fall and was injured. Because of this, he left the army in 1926. He then worked for the Royal Ulster Rifles Depot in Armagh. In 1934, he started a new job as a tour guide at the Giant's Causeway, just like his father. In 1953, he met the new Queen, Queen Elizabeth II, when she visited Ulster. Robert Quigg passed away on May 14, 1955, in Ballycastle. He was buried with full military honors in Billy Parish Churchyard. He never married and was survived by his five brothers and sisters.
Medals and Ways We Remember Him
Robert Quigg's medals are now on display at the Royal Ulster Rifles Museum in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast. Besides his Victoria Cross and the Russian Order of St. George, he also received several other medals. These include the 1914–15 Star, the British War Medal, the Victory Medal, the General Service Medal, the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal, the George VI Coronation Medal, and the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.
There are many ways Robert Quigg is remembered. His name is on a memorial stone at the Thiepval Memorial. This stone honors all the Victoria Cross recipients from the Ulster Division. He is also listed on a special tablet at St. Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. A stone tablet dedicated to him is at the bottom of the Bushmills War Memorial. In June 2016, Queen Elizabeth II, who remembered meeting him, unveiled a statue of Robert Quigg in Bushmills. Soon after, a blue plaque with his name was placed on the school building he attended as a boy.
