Tom Fletcher Mayson

Tom Fletcher Mayson VC (3 November 1893 – 21 February 1958) 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 was awarded the VC for actions during the Battle of Pilckem Ridge of the Battle of Passchendaele.

For the football player, see Tom Mayson (Canadian football).

Tom Fletcher Mayson
Born3 November 1893
Silecroft, Millom, Cumberland
Died21 February 1958 (aged 64)
Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire
Buried
St Mary's Churchyard, Whicham
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
RankLance sergeant
UnitThe King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
Battles/warsFirst World War
Awards Victoria Cross

Details

He was 23 years old, and a Lance-Sergeant in the 1/4th Battalion, The King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (part of the 55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division), British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 31 July 1917 at Pilckem Ridge, Wieltje Salient, Belgium, when his platoon was held up by machine-gun fire, Lance-Sergeant Mayson, without waiting for orders, at once made for the gun which he put out of action with bombs, wounding four of the team; the remaining three of the team fled, pursued by Lance-Sergeant Mayson to a dug-out where he killed them. Later, when clearing up a strongpoint, this NCO again tackled a machine-gun single-handed, killing six of the team. Finally during an enemy counterattack he took charge of an isolated post and successfully held it until ordered to withdraw and his ammunition was exhausted.[1]

The Medal

His Victoria Cross was on loan to Whicham Church from where it was given to the Kings Own Royal Regimental Museum. in Lancaster, Lancashire[2]

References
  1. "No. 30284". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 September 1917. p. 9533.
  2. "Victoria Cross Holders of the King's Own Royal Regiment". Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  • Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
  • The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
  • VCs of the First World War - Passchendaele 1917 (Stephen Snelling, 1998)
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