Geoffrey Cather

Geoffrey St George Shillington Cather
Geoffrey St. George Shillington Cather
Born 11 October 1890
Streatham Hill, London, England
Died 2 July 1916(1916-07-02) (aged 25)
Hamel, France
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service 1914-1916 †
Rank Lieutenant
Unit 9th Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers
Battles/wars World War I:
Battle of the Somme
Awards Victoria Cross

Lieutenant Geoffrey St. George Shillington Cather VC (11 October 1890 – 2 July 1916) was a 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 in Streatham Hill, south-west London, on 11 October 1890 to R. G. Cather and Mrs. M. M. Cather.[1] His mother was the sister of the politician David Graham Shillington.[2] His first cousin was Graham Shillington, Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary from 1970 to 1973, and a more distant cousin was the factory owner and politician Thomas Shillington.[3]

Cather joined the Artists Rifles[4] 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.[5]

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[6]

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum, Armagh, Northern Ireland.

References

  1. ↑ Cather, Geoffrey St George, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  2. ↑ A Call to Arms- Portadown and the Great War, Richard Edgar, 2014, pp. 238-239
  3. ↑ The Linen Houses of the Bann Valley: The Story of Their Families, Kathleen Rankin, Ulster Historical Foundation, 2007, pp. 203-209
  4. ↑ Barry Gregory. A History of the Artists Rifles 1859-1947. Pen & Sword, Barnsley. 2006. page 314
  5. ↑ Find-A-Grave profile for Geoffrey St. George Shillington Cather
  6. ↑ "No. 29740". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 September 1916. p. 8869.
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