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Frederick Hitch, VC ( November 29, 1856-January 6, 1913 in Southgate, London) 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. Photo of Victoria Cross recipient Frederick Hitch, migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference site with permission. ...
Photo of Victoria Cross recipient Frederick Hitch, migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference site with permission. ...
The Victoria Cross (VC) is a military decoration awarded for valour in the face of the enemy to members of armed forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. ...
November 29 is the 333rd day of the year (334th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...
January 6 is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 359 days (360 in leap years) remaining. ...
Year 1913 (MCMXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...
Southgate is an area in the London Borough of Enfield. ...
Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Unified - by Athelstan 927 AD Area - Total 130...
The Victoria Cross (VC) is a military decoration awarded for valour in the face of the enemy to members of armed forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. ...
This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...
Details
He was 22 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot (later The South Wales Borderers), British Army during the Zulu War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. Image File history File links Victoria_Cross_Medal_Ribbon_&_Bar. ...
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to Nato Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in). ...
The South Wales Borderers was an infantry regiment of the British Army. ...
The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ...
The Battle of Rorkes Drift The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between Britain and the Zulus, and signalled the end of the Zulus as an independent nation. ...
On 22 and 23 January 1879 at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, Private Hitch and another man (William Wilson Allen) kept communication with the hospital open, despite being severely wounded. Their determined conduct enabled the patients to be withdrawn from the hospital, and when incapacitated by their wounds from fighting, they continued, as soon as their wounds were dressed, to serve out ammunition to their comrades during the night. In this they were assisted by Padre George Smith. Combatants Britain Zulu Nation Commanders John Chard Gonville Bromhead Prince Dabulamanzi Strength 139 4,000–5,000 Casualties 17 killed, 15 wounded 450 found dead immediately after battle, Hundreds more believed also died (2000+) Rorkes Drift was a mission station in Natal, South Africa, situated near a natural ford...
Missing image Photo submitted by John Young William Wilson Allen 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. ...
Padre George Smith of Rorkes Drift Padre George Smith [right] in Alphonse de Neuvilles The Defence of Rorkes Drift [1880] Reverend George Smith, Army Chaplain, was born at Dorking in Norfolk on January 8, 1845. ...
Further information Hitch's wounds were so severe that they led to his discharge from service upon the conclusion of the war. He then moved from job to job, unable to perform manual work due to the damage to his arm he had received during the battle. He married in 1883, but reportedly found life difficult living on his disability pension from the government, which amounted to just £10 a year. In 1901, whilst climbing a ladder he suffered a fall. When he awoke in hospital his VC, which he always wore, had been stolen. 1883 (MDCCCLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...
Forced to pay for a new one from his own pocket, Hitch also lost his job soon afterwards when he was accused of faking the fall to hide the fact that he had sold his medal to raise funds. This has never been proven. Hitch had eight children, and managed to land a steady job, at first as a horse-drawn carriage taxi driver and later a motor car taxi service. This provided him with a comfortable income for some years. Some unforseen, and unknown, disaster meant that by the time of his death in 1913 he was living alone in Ealing, West London. He collapsed and died at his home whilst talking to a neighbour. He was buried in St Nicholas' churchyard in Chiswick, with full military honours. His missing VC later reappeared at auction. Hitch's family raised £85 to retrieve it. Ealing is a town in the London Borough of Ealing. ...
Chiswick (IPA pronunciation: ) is a district of West London, covering the eastern part of the London Borough of Hounslow. ...
Another version is that he was given a position in Whitehall as a ceremonial guard and his VC was cut off his chest and he was knocked to the ground. In this version his VC was replaced by the regiment. Many years latter his original was put up for auction and his sons managed to raise enough money to buy it back. Both the original and the replacment are in the regimental museum.
Frederick Hitch was illiterate, and when he joined the army he signed the official enlistment forms with a cross [X].
He is buried in the centre of St. Nicholas' Churchyard, Old Chiswick. Block P, grave 17. This is off the A4, close to the Fuller's Brewery. The grave is difficult to miss since it is more of a monument than a grave, featuring a helmet on top.
If you are travelling by train (there are frequent trains from Waterloo to Chiswick), disembark at Chiswick station and turn right (east) into Burlington Lane. Walk past Chiswick House (on your left) and St. Mary's Convent (on your right). Immediately after the Convent, turn into Powell's Walk, a public footpath which leads directly to St. Nicolas' Churchyard. Total walking time from the station: 15-20 minutes. Hitch's house (62 Cranbrook Road) is a further 10 minutes walk under the flyover and along Chiswick Lane North. Cranbrook Road will appear on your right.
His funeral was attended by a large number of London 'Cabbies' and still today there is the Fred Hitch gallantry award for Cab drivers.
The medal His Victoria Cross is displayed at the South Wales Borderers Museum (Brecon, Powys, Wales).
External links - Pte. Frederick Hitch (biography, photos, memorial details)
- Location of grave and VC medal (W. London)
- Frederick Hitch (detailed biography, history, and Rorke's Drift)
The grave can be seen on Google Earth at: 51° 29' 03.06 N 0° 15' 10.9" W |
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