Frank Crowther Roberts

Frank Crowther Roberts
Born (1891-06-02)2 June 1891
Highbury, London
Died 12 January 1982(1982-01-12) (aged 90)
Stanhope Bretby, Derbyshire
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  British Army
Years of service 1911–1939
Rank Major General
Commands held 48th (South Midland) Division
Poona Brigade
1st Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment
Battles/wars First World War
Second World War
Awards Victoria Cross
Distinguished Service Order
Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Military Cross
Mentioned in Despatches

Major General Frank Crowther Roberts VC, DSO, OBE, MC (2 June 1891 – 12 January 1982) was a British Army officer and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Roberts was educated at St. Lawrence College, Ramsgate and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, then was commissioned into The Worcestershire Regiment in 1911.[1] He was 26 years old, and an acting lieutenant colonel in the 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment, during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

During the period 22 March/2 April 1918 west of Somme and at Pargny, France, Lieutenant Colonel Roberts showed exceptional military skill in dealing with the many very difficult situations of the retirement and amazing endurance and energy in inspiring all ranks under his command. On one occasion the enemy attacked a village and had practically cleared it of our troops when Colonel Roberts got together an improvised party and led a counter-attack which temporarily drove the enemy out of the village, thus covering the retirement of troops on their flanks. The success of this action was entirely due to his personal valour and skill.[2]

He became commander of the Poona Brigade of the British Indian Army in 1938 and briefly commanded the 48th (South Midland) Division in 1939, retiring with the rank of major general in December that year in the early months of the Second World War.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Worcestershire Regimental Collecion in the Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, Worcester, Worcestershire, England.

References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, April 06, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.