Regimental History
Victoria Cross Holders of the King's Own Royal Regiment
Lance Sergeant Tom Neely VC MM
Victoria Cross awarded posthumously to Lance Sergeant Tom Neely MM,
number 32827, 8th (Service) Battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster
Regiment
Tom Neely was born on 28th March 1897 at Seacombe, near Wallasey, in
Cheshire, and was resident in Liverpool when he joined the 8th (Service)
Battalion King’s Own. Having already won the Military Medal in 1918, he
received the Victoria Cross for gallantry at Flesquieres on 27th
September of that year. The 'London Gazette' published the citation on
4th December 1918:
“For most conspicuous bravery during operations at Flesquieres on the
27th September 1918. His company was held up during the advance by heavy
machine gun fire from a flank. Corporal Neely, realising the seriousness
of the situation, at once, under point blank fire, dashed out with two
men and rushed the positions, disposing of the garrisons and capturing
three machine guns. Subsequently on two successive occasions he rushed
concrete strong points, killing or capturing the occupants. The splendid
initiative and fighting spirit displayed by this gallant
non-commissioned officer in dealing with a series of posts, in some
cases single-handed, was largely responsible for the taking and clearing
of a heavily fortified and strongly garrisoned position, and enabled his
company to advance 3,000 yards along the Hindenburg support line.”
He was killed in action on 1st October 1918 near Rumilly and is buried
in Masnieres Military Cemetery, France. His parents received his
Victoria Cross from King George V at Buckingham Palace.
Neely's Victoria Cross and Military Medal were sold at auction at Spink,
London, in November 2010.
Lance Sergeant Tom Neely VC MM
Accession Number: KONEG0463
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