William Frederick McFadzean
William Frederick McFadzean was born in Lurgan, Co Armagh, in October 1895, but moved to the Cregagh Road in east Belfast in his early years. He enlisted in the Ballynafeigh and Newtownbreda Young Citizen Volunteers on September 22, 1914. He was posted to the 14th Royal Irish Rifles, and sailed with the 36th Ulster Division for France in October 1915.
Not yet 21, Private McFadzean, trained as a bomber. On the morning of July 1, 1916, he was in a trench in Thiepval Wood awaiting orders to attack German positions opposite in what would become known as the Battle of the Somme. A box of hand grenades was dropped, removing the safety pin from at least one of the grenades, and McFadzean threw himself onto the box to protect his comrades. His commanding officer called this ‘a magnificent deed of the highest courage’. McFadzean was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
Photograph of interior of RUR Museum, BelfastLittle remained of Private McFadzean’s body and he has no known grave, although memorials were erected at Thiepval, in Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church, First Lurgan Presbyterian Church and elsewhere. His Victoria Cross is on display at the Royal Ulster Rifles Museum on Belfast’s Waring Street.
William Frederick McFadzean was born in Lurgan, Co Armagh, in October 1895, but moved to the Cregagh Road in east Belfast in his early years. He enlisted in the Ballynafeigh and Newtownbreda Young Citizen Volunteers on September 22, 1914. He was posted to the 14th Royal Irish Rifles, and sailed with the 36th Ulster Division for France in October 1915.
Not yet 21, Private McFadzean, trained as a bomber. On the morning of July 1, 1916, he was in a trench in Thiepval Wood awaiting orders to attack German positions opposite in what would become known as the Battle of the Somme. A box of hand grenades was dropped, removing the safety pin from at least one of the grenades, and McFadzean threw himself onto the box to protect his comrades. His commanding officer called this ‘a magnificent deed of the highest courage’. McFadzean was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
Photograph of interior of RUR Museum, BelfastLittle remained of Private McFadzean’s body and he has no known grave, although memorials were erected at Thiepval, in Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church, First Lurgan Presbyterian Church and elsewhere. His Victoria Cross is on display at the Royal Ulster Rifles Museum on Belfast’s Waring Street.
James Joseph Magennis
James Joseph Magennis VC (surname originally McGinnes)[1] (27 October 1919 – 12 February 1986) was a Belfast-born recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the only native of Northern Ireland to receive the Victoria Cross for Second World War service. Magennis was part of several operations involving X-Craft midget submarines in attacks on Axis ships. In July 1945 Magennis was serving on HMS XE3 during Operation Struggle. During an attack on the Japanese cruiser Takao in Singapore, Magennis showed extraordinary valour and bravery by leaving the submarine for a second time in order to free some explosive charges that had got caught. His commanding officer Lieutenant Ian Fraser was also awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 31 July 1945 during the Operation.
James Joseph Magennis VC (surname originally McGinnes)[1] (27 October 1919 – 12 February 1986) was a Belfast-born recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the only native of Northern Ireland to receive the Victoria Cross for Second World War service. Magennis was part of several operations involving X-Craft midget submarines in attacks on Axis ships. In July 1945 Magennis was serving on HMS XE3 during Operation Struggle. During an attack on the Japanese cruiser Takao in Singapore, Magennis showed extraordinary valour and bravery by leaving the submarine for a second time in order to free some explosive charges that had got caught. His commanding officer Lieutenant Ian Fraser was also awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 31 July 1945 during the Operation.
Lieutenant Geoffrey Cather
Lieutenant Geoffrey St. George Shillington Cather VC (11 October 1890 – 2 July 1916) was born in the Streatham Hill area of south-west London. He was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Cather was born on 11 October 1890 to R. G. Cather and of Mrs. M. M. Cather, of Limpsfield, Surrey. He joined the Artists Rifles during the First World War. As a 25-year-old lieutenant in the 9th Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers, he was awarded the VC for his actions on 1 July 1916 near Hamel, France. For most conspicuous bravery. From 7 p.m. till midnight he searched 'No Man's Land', and brought in three wounded men. Next morning at 8 a.m. he continued his search, brought in another wounded man, and gave water to others, arranging for their rescue later. Finally, at 10.30 a.m., he took out water to another man, and was proceeding further on when he was himself killed. All this was carried out in full view of the enemy, and under direct machine gun fire and intermittent artillery fire. He set a splendid example of courage and self sacrifice. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Regimental Museum of The Royal Irish Fusiliers, Armagh, Northern Ireland.
For most conspicuous bravery. From 7 p.m. till midnight he searched 'No Man's Land', and brought in three wounded men. Next morning at 8 a.m. he continued his search, brought in another wounded man, and gave water to others, arranging for their rescue later. Finally, at 10.30 a.m., he took out water to another man, and was proceeding further on when he was himself killed. All this was carried out in full view of the enemy, and under direct machine gun fire and intermittent artillery fire. He set a splendid example of courage and self sacrifice. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Regimental Museum of The Royal Irish Fusiliers, Armagh, Northern Ireland.
Lieutenant Geoffrey St. George Shillington Cather VC (11 October 1890 – 2 July 1916) was born in the Streatham Hill area of south-west London. He was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Cather was born on 11 October 1890 to R. G. Cather and of Mrs. M. M. Cather, of Limpsfield, Surrey. He joined the Artists Rifles during the First World War. As a 25-year-old lieutenant in the 9th Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers, he was awarded the VC for his actions on 1 July 1916 near Hamel, France. For most conspicuous bravery. From 7 p.m. till midnight he searched 'No Man's Land', and brought in three wounded men. Next morning at 8 a.m. he continued his search, brought in another wounded man, and gave water to others, arranging for their rescue later. Finally, at 10.30 a.m., he took out water to another man, and was proceeding further on when he was himself killed. All this was carried out in full view of the enemy, and under direct machine gun fire and intermittent artillery fire. He set a splendid example of courage and self sacrifice. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Regimental Museum of The Royal Irish Fusiliers, Armagh, Northern Ireland.
For most conspicuous bravery. From 7 p.m. till midnight he searched 'No Man's Land', and brought in three wounded men. Next morning at 8 a.m. he continued his search, brought in another wounded man, and gave water to others, arranging for their rescue later. Finally, at 10.30 a.m., he took out water to another man, and was proceeding further on when he was himself killed. All this was carried out in full view of the enemy, and under direct machine gun fire and intermittent artillery fire. He set a splendid example of courage and self sacrifice. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Regimental Museum of The Royal Irish Fusiliers, Armagh, Northern Ireland.
Captain Eric Norman Frankland Bell
The medal had been in New Zealand for the previous 70 or more years. In 1916 it had been posthumously awarded to Enniskillen born Captain Eric Norman Frankland Bell.
Eric Bell's father was a quartermaster in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers so it was no surprise that his son followed in his father's footsteps and joined the 9th Battalion RIF.
On 1st July 1916 - A date which was later to become known as the first day of the Battle of the Somme.- Captain Bell was in command of a Trench Mortar Battery at Thiepval, France. Here is the citation which accompanies this prestigious medal.
" For most conspicuous bravery. He was in command of a Trench Mortar Battery, and advanced with the infantry in the attack, when the front line was hung up by enfilading machine-gun fire. Captain Bell crept forward and shot the machine-gunner. Later, on no less than three occasions, when our bombing parties, which were clearing the enemy's trenches, were unable to advance, he crept forward alone and threw trench-mortar bombs among the enemy. When no more bombs were available, he stood on the parapet under intense fire and used a rifle with great coolness and effect on the enemy advancing to counter-attack. Finally, he was killed rallying and reorganizing infantry parties which had lost their officers. All this was outside the scope of his normal duties with his battery. He gave his life in his supreme devotion to duty. "
His body was never recovered.
The medal had been in New Zealand for the previous 70 or more years. In 1916 it had been posthumously awarded to Enniskillen born Captain Eric Norman Frankland Bell.
Eric Bell's father was a quartermaster in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers so it was no surprise that his son followed in his father's footsteps and joined the 9th Battalion RIF.
On 1st July 1916 - A date which was later to become known as the first day of the Battle of the Somme.- Captain Bell was in command of a Trench Mortar Battery at Thiepval, France. Here is the citation which accompanies this prestigious medal.
" For most conspicuous bravery. He was in command of a Trench Mortar Battery, and advanced with the infantry in the attack, when the front line was hung up by enfilading machine-gun fire. Captain Bell crept forward and shot the machine-gunner. Later, on no less than three occasions, when our bombing parties, which were clearing the enemy's trenches, were unable to advance, he crept forward alone and threw trench-mortar bombs among the enemy. When no more bombs were available, he stood on the parapet under intense fire and used a rifle with great coolness and effect on the enemy advancing to counter-attack. Finally, he was killed rallying and reorganizing infantry parties which had lost their officers. All this was outside the scope of his normal duties with his battery. He gave his life in his supreme devotion to duty. "
His body was never recovered.
James Samuel Emerson
James Samuel Emerson VC (1895 – 1917) was a British Army officer, and posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award of the British Commonwealth for gallantry "in the face of the enemy", during the First World War.
Emerson was born 3 August 1895 in the village of Collon, County Louth to John and Ellen Emerson. When he was 22 years old, and a temporary second lieutenant in the 9th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Tyrone Volunteers), British Army during the First World War, and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 6 December 1917, on the Hindenburg Line north of La Vacquerie, France. He died in action that same day.
For repeated acts of most conspicuous bravery. He led his company in an attack and cleared 400 yards of trench. Though wounded, when the enemy attacked in superior numbers, he sprang out of the trench with eight men and met the attack in the open, killing many and taking six prisoners. For three hours after this, all other Officers having become casualties, he remained with his company, refusing to go to the dressing station, and repeatedly repelled bombing attacks. Later, when the enemy again attacked in superior numbers, he led his men to repel the attack and was mortally wounded. His heroism, when worn out and exhausted from loss of blood, inspired his men to hold out, though almost surrounded, till reinforcements arrived and dislodged the enemy. —The London Gazette, 12 February 1918.
His name is inscribed on the war memorial at the Church of Ireland parish church at Collon, County Louth and on the Cambrai Memorial to the Missing.
James Samuel Emerson VC (1895 – 1917) was a British Army officer, and posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award of the British Commonwealth for gallantry "in the face of the enemy", during the First World War.
Emerson was born 3 August 1895 in the village of Collon, County Louth to John and Ellen Emerson. When he was 22 years old, and a temporary second lieutenant in the 9th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Tyrone Volunteers), British Army during the First World War, and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 6 December 1917, on the Hindenburg Line north of La Vacquerie, France. He died in action that same day.
For repeated acts of most conspicuous bravery. He led his company in an attack and cleared 400 yards of trench. Though wounded, when the enemy attacked in superior numbers, he sprang out of the trench with eight men and met the attack in the open, killing many and taking six prisoners. For three hours after this, all other Officers having become casualties, he remained with his company, refusing to go to the dressing station, and repeatedly repelled bombing attacks. Later, when the enemy again attacked in superior numbers, he led his men to repel the attack and was mortally wounded. His heroism, when worn out and exhausted from loss of blood, inspired his men to hold out, though almost surrounded, till reinforcements arrived and dislodged the enemy. —The London Gazette, 12 February 1918.
His name is inscribed on the war memorial at the Church of Ireland parish church at Collon, County Louth and on the Cambrai Memorial to the Missing.
Ernest Seaman
Ernest Seaman VC MM (16 August 1893 – 29 September 1918) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Ernie was born in a small village near Norwich, then while he was still a young boy his mother remarried and his family moved to Scole. On leaving school he worked for a while as a page boy in the Grand Hotel in Felixstowe. He had a few other jobs before signing up to go and fight for his country. Classified as unfit for active front line service he ended up as a baker in the Army Service Corps of the British Army. It was not until late in the war that he was allowed to join a front-line unit. He was 25 years old, and a lance-corporal in the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 29 September 1918 at Terhand, Belgium, when the right flank of his company was held up by enemy machine-guns, Lance-Corporal Seaman went forward under heavy fire with his Lewis gun and engaged the position single-handed, capturing two machine-guns and 12 prisoners, and killing one officer and two men. Later in the day he again rushed another enemy machine-gun post, capturing the gun under very heavy fire. He was killed immediately afterwards, but it was due to his gallant conduct that his company was able to push forward to its objective. A copy of his medal is held in the Officers Mess at The Royal Logistic Corps Museum (Camberley, Surrey, England). The original is kept in a bank vault. Ernie is commemorated at Tyne Cot Cemetery (Panel No. 70), the memorial to the 36th Division at the Ulster Tower near Thiepval on the Somme, Felixstowe War Memorial (Suffolk), and the Scole War Memorial (Norfolk).
Ernest Seaman VC MM (16 August 1893 – 29 September 1918) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Ernie was born in a small village near Norwich, then while he was still a young boy his mother remarried and his family moved to Scole. On leaving school he worked for a while as a page boy in the Grand Hotel in Felixstowe. He had a few other jobs before signing up to go and fight for his country. Classified as unfit for active front line service he ended up as a baker in the Army Service Corps of the British Army. It was not until late in the war that he was allowed to join a front-line unit. He was 25 years old, and a lance-corporal in the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 29 September 1918 at Terhand, Belgium, when the right flank of his company was held up by enemy machine-guns, Lance-Corporal Seaman went forward under heavy fire with his Lewis gun and engaged the position single-handed, capturing two machine-guns and 12 prisoners, and killing one officer and two men. Later in the day he again rushed another enemy machine-gun post, capturing the gun under very heavy fire. He was killed immediately afterwards, but it was due to his gallant conduct that his company was able to push forward to its objective. A copy of his medal is held in the Officers Mess at The Royal Logistic Corps Museum (Camberley, Surrey, England). The original is kept in a bank vault. Ernie is commemorated at Tyne Cot Cemetery (Panel No. 70), the memorial to the 36th Division at the Ulster Tower near Thiepval on the Somme, Felixstowe War Memorial (Suffolk), and the Scole War Memorial (Norfolk).
Norman Harvey
Norman Harvey VC (6 April 1899 –16 February 1942) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross , the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He re-enlisted in World War II and was killed in action.
Harvey was born 6 April 1899 to Charles William and Mary Harvey
Harvey was 19 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 25 October 1918 at Ingoyghem, Belgium, he performed a deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
No. 42954 Pte. Norman Harvey, 1st Bn., R. Innis. Fus. (Newton-le-Willows).For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty near Ingoyghen on the 25th October, 1918, when his battalion was held up and suffered heavy casualties from enemy machine guns.
On his own initiative he rushed forward and engaged the enemy single-handed, disposing of twenty enemy and capturing two guns.
Later, when his company was checked by another enemy strong point, he again rushed forward alone and put the enemy to flight.
Subsequently, after dark, he voluntarily carried out, single-handed; an important reconnaissance and gained valuable information.
Pte. Harvey throughout the day displayed the greatest valour, and his several actions enabled the line to advance, saved many casualties, and inspired all.
World War II Harvey enlisted into the Royal Engineers in 1939 and joined 199 Railway Workshop Company. He was promoted to Company Quartermaster-Sergeant in April 1941. He was killed in action, near Haifa, Mandatory Palestine (now Israel) on 16 Feb 1942
Norman Harvey VC (6 April 1899 –16 February 1942) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross , the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He re-enlisted in World War II and was killed in action.
Harvey was born 6 April 1899 to Charles William and Mary Harvey
Harvey was 19 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 25 October 1918 at Ingoyghem, Belgium, he performed a deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
No. 42954 Pte. Norman Harvey, 1st Bn., R. Innis. Fus. (Newton-le-Willows).For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty near Ingoyghen on the 25th October, 1918, when his battalion was held up and suffered heavy casualties from enemy machine guns.
On his own initiative he rushed forward and engaged the enemy single-handed, disposing of twenty enemy and capturing two guns.
Later, when his company was checked by another enemy strong point, he again rushed forward alone and put the enemy to flight.
Subsequently, after dark, he voluntarily carried out, single-handed; an important reconnaissance and gained valuable information.
Pte. Harvey throughout the day displayed the greatest valour, and his several actions enabled the line to advance, saved many casualties, and inspired all.
World War II Harvey enlisted into the Royal Engineers in 1939 and joined 199 Railway Workshop Company. He was promoted to Company Quartermaster-Sergeant in April 1941. He was killed in action, near Haifa, Mandatory Palestine (now Israel) on 16 Feb 1942
Edmund De Wind
Son of Arthur Hughes CE and Margaret Jane de Wind of ‘Kinvara’, Comber, Edmund De Wind joined the 15th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles and took part in battles at Thiepval, Messines Ridge, Ypres, and Cambrai during the first world war. However, on March 21, 1918, De Wind was fatally injured during a German attack. The London Gazette, dated May 13, 1919, recorded the following:
‘For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice on the 21st March, 1918, at the Race Course Redoubt, near Groagie, France. For seven hours [De Wind] held this most important post, and though twice wounded and practically single-handed, he maintained his position until another section could be got to his help. On two occasions, with two NCOs only, he got out on top under heavy machine gun and rifle fire, and cleared the enemy out of the trench, killing many. He continued to repel attack after attack until he was mortally wounded and collapsed. His valour, self-sacrifice and example were of the highest order.’
De Wind was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the greatest award for bravery and devotion to duty that any soldier can achieve. It was one of three gained by his regiment between 1914 and 1918.
A tablet to his memory can be found in Comber Parish Church. After the war, a large German gun was presented to the town as a memorial. Unfortunately, the gun was removed from the town square during the second world war as scrap metal to aid the production of munitions. However, metal plates from the side of the gun containing an inscription were preserved, and are now in the porch of the parish church in the square.
Son of Arthur Hughes CE and Margaret Jane de Wind of ‘Kinvara’, Comber, Edmund De Wind joined the 15th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles and took part in battles at Thiepval, Messines Ridge, Ypres, and Cambrai during the first world war. However, on March 21, 1918, De Wind was fatally injured during a German attack. The London Gazette, dated May 13, 1919, recorded the following:
‘For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice on the 21st March, 1918, at the Race Course Redoubt, near Groagie, France. For seven hours [De Wind] held this most important post, and though twice wounded and practically single-handed, he maintained his position until another section could be got to his help. On two occasions, with two NCOs only, he got out on top under heavy machine gun and rifle fire, and cleared the enemy out of the trench, killing many. He continued to repel attack after attack until he was mortally wounded and collapsed. His valour, self-sacrifice and example were of the highest order.’
De Wind was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the greatest award for bravery and devotion to duty that any soldier can achieve. It was one of three gained by his regiment between 1914 and 1918.
A tablet to his memory can be found in Comber Parish Church. After the war, a large German gun was presented to the town as a memorial. Unfortunately, the gun was removed from the town square during the second world war as scrap metal to aid the production of munitions. However, metal plates from the side of the gun containing an inscription were preserved, and are now in the porch of the parish church in the square.
Sir Edward Bingham VC Mural in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
Rear Admiral The Honourable Edward Barry Stewart Bingham VC, OBE (born 26 July 1881 in Bangor, County Down, Ireland — died 24 September 1939) served in the Royal Navy during the First World War and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in engaging the German fleet during the Battle of Jutland.
Bingham, the son of Lord Clanmorris, entered the Royal Navy in 1895. At the beginning of the First World War, he was appointed Commander (Executive Officer) of HMS Invincible, which saw action at the Battle of the Falkland Islands in December 1914.
On 31 May 1916, during the Battle of Jutland off Denmark, Commander Bingham was in command of a destroyer division. He led his division in their attack, first on enemy destroyers and then on the battle cruisers of the German High Seas Fleet. Once the enemy was sighted Bingham ordered his own destroyer, HMS Nestor, and the one remaining destroyer of his division, HMS Nicator, to close to within 2,750 meters of the opposing battle fleet so that he could bring his torpedoes to bear. While making this attack Nestor and Nicator were under concentrated fire of the secondary batteries of the German fleet and Nestor was subsequently sunk. For his actions, Bingham earned the Victoria Cross, one of relatively few awarded for naval bravery during the First World War.
Bingham was picked up by the Germans at Jutland, and remained a prisoner of war until the Armistice. After the war, he remained with the Royal Navy and retired as a Rear Admiral in 1932. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Bingham died in 1939, and is buried in the Golders Green cemetery in northwest London.
Bingham's Victoria Cross was auctioned by Sotheby's in 1983 and was purchased by the North Down Borough Council for £18,000, having outbid a Canadian millionaire. It is now valued at in excess of £100,000 due to the rarity of naval VCs. The medal is displayed at the North Down Heritage Centre, Bangor, Northern Ireland.
Rear Admiral The Honourable Edward Barry Stewart Bingham VC, OBE (born 26 July 1881 in Bangor, County Down, Ireland — died 24 September 1939) served in the Royal Navy during the First World War and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in engaging the German fleet during the Battle of Jutland.
Bingham, the son of Lord Clanmorris, entered the Royal Navy in 1895. At the beginning of the First World War, he was appointed Commander (Executive Officer) of HMS Invincible, which saw action at the Battle of the Falkland Islands in December 1914.
On 31 May 1916, during the Battle of Jutland off Denmark, Commander Bingham was in command of a destroyer division. He led his division in their attack, first on enemy destroyers and then on the battle cruisers of the German High Seas Fleet. Once the enemy was sighted Bingham ordered his own destroyer, HMS Nestor, and the one remaining destroyer of his division, HMS Nicator, to close to within 2,750 meters of the opposing battle fleet so that he could bring his torpedoes to bear. While making this attack Nestor and Nicator were under concentrated fire of the secondary batteries of the German fleet and Nestor was subsequently sunk. For his actions, Bingham earned the Victoria Cross, one of relatively few awarded for naval bravery during the First World War.
Bingham was picked up by the Germans at Jutland, and remained a prisoner of war until the Armistice. After the war, he remained with the Royal Navy and retired as a Rear Admiral in 1932. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Bingham died in 1939, and is buried in the Golders Green cemetery in northwest London.
Bingham's Victoria Cross was auctioned by Sotheby's in 1983 and was purchased by the North Down Borough Council for £18,000, having outbid a Canadian millionaire. It is now valued at in excess of £100,000 due to the rarity of naval VCs. The medal is displayed at the North Down Heritage Centre, Bangor, Northern Ireland.