Ferdnand Christian Schiess was a Swiss 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 22 years old, and a Corporal in the Natal Native Contingent, South African Forces during the Zulu War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 22 January1879 at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, Corporal Schiess, in spite of having been wounded in the foot a few days previously, displayed great gallantry when the garrison had retired to the inner line of defence and the Zulus had occupied the wall of mealie bags which had been abandoned. He crept along the wall in order to dislodge one of the enemy and succeeded in killing him and two others before returning to the inner defences.
Further information
First man serving with South African Forces under British Command to win the VC.
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum (Chelsea, England).
Ferdnand is the Swiss German variant of Ferdinand and schiess was a Swiss.
"Ferdnand" is Swiss dialect of German "Ferdinand", but in Switzerland names in official documents are allways, sine ever, written in German o French, not in Swiss dialect.
I still think he was known as "Ferdnand" to his comrades of arms.
FerdnandChristianSchiess was a Swiss 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 22 years old, and a Corporal in the Natal Native Contingent, South African Forces during the Zulu War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 22 January1879 at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, CorporalSchiess, in spite of having been wounded in the foot a few days previously, displayed great gallantry when the garrison had retired to the inner line of defence and the Zulus had occupied the wall of mealie bags which had been abandoned.
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