Last soldier given the Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria honoured

Jul 10

2 min read

The life and courage of Charles Burley Ward VC, KOYLI’s first Victoria Cross recipient in 1900, which was also the last VC presented by Queen Victoria, were commemorated in Leeds on Friday 10 July, marking 150 years since his birth. The event was organised by local historian and researcher Mr Ronnie Walsh, whose work has helped bring renewed attention to Charles’s story.

Family members travelled from across the country and were joined by civic, military and Association representatives, including Professor Adeeba Malik CBE DL, Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire; Councillor Stephen Holroyd, Lord Mayor of Leeds; Lt Col (Retd) Robin Smith; Association Trustees; Minden House Buglers; and members of the KOYLI Association. Representatives of the VC Society and the Leeds hospital where Charles was treated after the Boer War also attended.

A highlight of the occasion was the display of the tunic Charles wore when he was wounded during the Boer War action for which he received the Victoria Cross. The tunic was brought from the KOYLI collection in Doncaster by KOYLI Archivist Lynsey Slater.

Association Secretary Colin Cranswick read Charles’s VC citation before Lt Col (Retd) Robin Smith presented relatives with letters from General Charlie Collins, Colonel Commandant of The Rifles. The family also received framed prints of Charles’s Victoria Cross and medal set, closing a fitting tribute to one of KOYLI’s most distinguished soldiers.

The BBC Radio Leeds web report on the event can be read at Last soldier given Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria honoured - BBC News