The Scout movement’s highest award was awarded to a friend of mine who, following an accident, knocked his friend down and rolled him over and over until the flames on his body were extinguished. Brave certainly, but what made it remarkable was that at the time of his heroic action he, personally, was half covered in burning fuel (his legs and back). A brave Venture Scout who later joined the RAF. I’ve kept his name back to preserve something of his privacy. Heroes are still there amongst us, sometimes they even pass by in the street.
My granddad was the same age at the battle of Jutland (he joined as a 14 year old in 1914). However, he was lucky enough to be on the Iron Duke and came out of it with some minor injuries.
The youngest VC winner was Hospital Apprentice Andrew Fitzgibbon., who won his Cross at the age of 15 years and three months in China on 21 August 1860.
He was brought into Immingham docks (then a Royal Navy Base) then taken to the old Grimsby District Hospital (which was closed and demolished in the early 80s) were he died and then buried in Grimsby Cemetery. There is a ward at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital named after him also there is a road in Grimsby Cornwell Close named after him.
I lived near to Clyde Place, Capworth Street, Leyton. There was a plaque in All Saints Church, Capworth Street to his memory. Farmer Road school was renamed George Mitchell school after George Mitchell VC who also lived nearby. My parents and he were members of the Leyton Eagles cycling club in the 1930s
There is a Royal Canadian Sea cadet corps in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada That was named after JTCVC, that I was a member of from approximately 1975 to 1980. We were all very proud of John Travers Cornwell VC. Our corp had approximately 350 members that would parade every Thursday night.
I used to be a sea cadet years ago, when we did remembrance day, we would March to and from his graveyard in east ham cemetery Edit: my sea cadet unit was east ham... he was buried in manor park
They call WWI the lost generation, but it was more like two lost generations. Boy Seaman, Boy Soldier, Drummer all were ranks at the time. In my Regiment, the second largest number of casualties, after the pipers, were the Drummers and Boy Soldiers. Jack Cornwall is a symbol of all the boys who stood to the guns. Facta non Verba.
Nice to see interest to this day on Jack. Little known fact, the image they used for him is his brother Ernest. The family were quite poor and didn't own a camera, so there are no pictures of Jack, but his brother Ernest was a very close likeness.
Correct. Cornwell was the youngest Navy recipient. Interestingly, the ribbon on his would have been blue. They were changed to maroon by order of the King in 1920.
You are correct about Andrew Fitzgibbon and Thomas Flinn, incidentally who were both Irish. Because the exact date of Flinn's birth is unknown it is impossible to determine his exact age on the day he performed the deed that precipitated his award. Rather interesting and sad to say he died in the Athlone poor house when aged only 49/50 years old. May l suggest to the "History Lord" ( now that is perhaps a misnomer) that like a good carpenter checks his measurements before sawing a good historian checks and re- checks his source material before publishing.
I hate to burst your bubble but the youngest is: The youngest winner of the VC was 15 years and three months old. Hospital Apprentice Andrew Fitzgibbon, Indian Medical Establishment, won the VC on 21 August 1860 at the storming of the North Taku fort during the Second China War (1857-62). Throughout the fighting he repeatedly attended to wounded men while under fire.
I'm curious that the VC shown on the postage stamp at 4-30 has a blue ribbon. The VC normally has a maroon ribbon doesn't it? If it was issued to a naval serviceman was it the blue colour?
@@adiabolicalliberty2614 Thanks for your reply and that interesting info. I like the comments section on various videos, because you can pick up a lot of bits and pieces, especially if someone like you takes the time to reply directly, so thanks again mate.
I do not wish to disparage his bravery or devotion to duty but the awarding of the VC was more a public display than true deserving of the award. His actions did not change the course of battle nor did he put his own life at risk to save others. To remain at post many hours after battle shows a boy is shock.
@@nickjung7394 read of the acts of Blair Paddy Mayne who was awarded the DSO and three bars, the 3rd of which was instead of the VC for which he was recommended.
@@peace-now You need to understand that the VC is the 'highest' gallantry award for British or commonwealth soldiers, there is no first or second order like some gallantry awards. The Bar is in itself a second VC... I'm English, to ask me whether I understand the significance of a VC is like asking if I know which is left or right...
Cornwall didn’t do anything to earn the VC he simply stood where he was. He was at first treated as just another casualty. It was public opinion that goaded the ‘Brass’ to award him the VC and also to hide the embarrassment of the debacle of Jutland.
He's still dead tho! A medal? For serving Insanity? What do we get as a reward for staying alive? I life of servitude and heartache. We still have much to learn
@@nickjung7394 I'd rather be blessed with the circumstance where no-one needs to serve. There are no heros, only those who died needlessly or survivors of evil. we are all forgotten eventually
@@justeauanka6017 I would suggest that, wherever you live, you are benefitting from heroes that gave their lives to stop oppressive thugs from getting their way. Just Google Belsen or Nanking to see what I mean. While life on earth exists, there will always be people who wish to enforce their will on others. The world you envisage can never exist.
@@nickjung7394 My father, lost a leg in ww2. But that was not the reason he was a hero to me. Irrespective of his obvious disadvantages he continued to lead others and inspire. I admire him every day since he passed and thank him for leaving me with his views. You live to be a person not a war criminal. Peace to you.
A bit more research would have told us why and how he was wounded . You could have told us the origins of HMS Chester and what was deficient about her gun shields but you were just too lazy to do any.
I love the last memorial quotation honored his dignity he who was not wealthy in inheritance but brave and steadfast in his duty that man was honorable ,I can't remember the exact wording
The Scout movement’s highest award was awarded to a friend of mine who, following an accident, knocked his friend down and rolled him over and over until the flames on his body were extinguished. Brave certainly, but what made it remarkable was that at the time of his heroic action he, personally, was half covered in burning fuel (his legs and back). A brave Venture Scout who later joined the RAF. I’ve kept his name back to preserve something of his privacy. Heroes are still there amongst us, sometimes they even pass by in the street.
Most of them were very young. Especially in the great wars. It’s amazing how brave these young men were.
My granddad was the same age at the battle of Jutland (he joined as a 14 year old in 1914). However, he was lucky enough to be on the Iron Duke and came out of it with some minor injuries.
The youngest VC winner was Hospital Apprentice Andrew Fitzgibbon., who won his Cross at the age of 15 years and three months in China on 21 August 1860.
At that time he was the youngest
My dad got cornwell award in Montrose Brechin in 1955 and was awarded the queen scout badge in 1957
He was brought into Immingham docks (then a Royal Navy Base) then taken to the old Grimsby District Hospital (which was closed and demolished in the early 80s) were he died and then buried in Grimsby Cemetery. There is a ward at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital named after him also there is a road in Grimsby Cornwell Close named after him.
What a truly inspiring guy! Thank you
Great story. Thank you.
I lived near to Clyde Place, Capworth Street, Leyton. There was a plaque in All Saints Church, Capworth Street to his memory. Farmer Road school was renamed George Mitchell school after George Mitchell VC who also lived nearby. My parents and he were members of the Leyton Eagles cycling club in the 1930s
There is a Royal Canadian Sea cadet corps in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada That was named after JTCVC, that I was a member of from approximately 1975 to 1980. We were all very proud of John Travers Cornwell VC. Our corp had approximately 350 members that would parade every Thursday night.
I used to be a sea cadet years ago, when we did remembrance day, we would March to and from his graveyard in east ham cemetery
Edit: my sea cadet unit was east ham... he was buried in manor park
They call WWI the lost generation, but it was more like two lost generations. Boy Seaman, Boy Soldier, Drummer all were ranks at the time. In my Regiment, the second largest number of casualties, after the pipers, were the Drummers and Boy Soldiers. Jack Cornwall is a symbol of all the boys who stood to the guns.
Facta non Verba.
Thanks for this x
Nice to see interest to this day on Jack. Little known fact, the image they used for him is his brother Ernest. The family were quite poor and didn't own a camera, so there are no pictures of Jack, but his brother Ernest was a very close likeness.
I went to Cornwell School. Manor Park E12 London.
Andrew Fitzgibbon and Thomas Flinn were younger VC winners, (both 15y 3mo), Cornwell (16) was the third youngest.
Correct. Cornwell was the youngest Navy recipient. Interestingly, the ribbon on his would have been blue. They were changed to maroon by order of the King in 1920.
You are correct about Andrew Fitzgibbon and Thomas Flinn, incidentally who were both Irish. Because the exact date of Flinn's birth is unknown it is impossible to determine his exact age on the day he performed the deed that precipitated his award. Rather interesting and sad to say he died in the Athlone poor house when aged only 49/50 years old. May l suggest to the "History Lord" ( now that is perhaps a misnomer) that like a good carpenter checks his measurements before sawing a good historian checks and re- checks his source material before publishing.
I hate to burst your bubble but the youngest is:
The youngest winner of the VC was 15 years and three months old. Hospital Apprentice Andrew Fitzgibbon, Indian Medical Establishment, won the VC on 21 August 1860 at the storming of the North Taku fort during the Second China War (1857-62). Throughout the fighting he repeatedly attended to wounded men while under fire.
Honourable example to us all ...
Great story, thanks Cliff
Excellent!😊👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍
I recall that the gun he manned was on display in the Imperial War Museum in London.
The Cornwall Cup has been an important sailing event in New Zealand for decades.
I'm curious that the VC shown on the postage stamp at 4-30 has a blue ribbon. The VC normally has a maroon ribbon doesn't it? If it was issued to a naval serviceman was it the blue colour?
@@adiabolicalliberty2614 Thanks for your reply and that interesting info. I like the comments section on various videos, because you can pick up a lot of bits and pieces, especially if someone like you takes the time to reply directly, so thanks again mate.
I know his history and have seen his plaque in Hornchurch in Essex
Jesus christ .that poor lad I have no other words to say I'm dumbfounded
There should be a statue to this young man.
He wasn’t the youngest ...as much as I love him !
At the time he was
His name was "Cornwell" not "Cornwall".
Apologies-predictive text. Thank you for telling me.
I do not wish to disparage his bravery or devotion to duty but the awarding of the VC was more a public display than true deserving of the award. His actions did not change the course of battle nor did he put his own life at risk to save others. To remain at post many hours after battle shows a boy is shock.
I suggest you read the words on the medal. He certainly deserved this award!
@@nickjung7394 read of the acts of Blair Paddy Mayne who was awarded the DSO and three bars, the 3rd of which was instead of the VC for which he was recommended.
@@andrewhudson3352 but Paddy Maybe was a bit on the mad side! I am old enough to have spoken with someone who served with him!
Propaganda VC. If he was 18, nobody would have heard of him.
Don't forget the VC Bar medal. It is higher than the VC and has been only awarded three time.
No, it's not higher than the V.C. A 'bar' means that they were awarded a second V.C...
@@northfolk6991 Are you seriously saying that a VC Bar is not higher than a VC? In your own words, two VCs is a higher decoration than one VC.
@@peace-now You need to understand that the VC is the 'highest' gallantry award for British or commonwealth soldiers, there is no first or second order like some gallantry awards. The Bar is in itself a second VC... I'm English, to ask me whether I understand the significance of a VC is like asking if I know which is left or right...
@@northfolk6991 A bar to a gallantry award is another medal of the same. Eg DFC and Bar two DFCs
If Cornwell had have been an adult, no one would have heard of him.
If he see Manor Park today he wouldn't have bothered,
Yes he was brave, but is that enough for a VC?
War is a bitch!
Cornwall didn’t do anything to earn the VC he simply stood where he was. He was at first treated as just another casualty. It was public opinion that goaded the ‘Brass’ to award him the VC and also to hide the embarrassment of the debacle of Jutland.
A bit different from the self entitled youth of today.
Boomer
No doubt your own service heroism puts them to shame through example.
@@vespelian5769 I spent 5 years in the military. I am proud to have served my country.
He's still dead tho! A medal? For serving Insanity? What do we get as a reward for staying alive? I life of servitude and heartache. We still have much to learn
Well, you have to consider the consequences of not having such people around. Doubtless your turn to serve will come.
@@nickjung7394 I'd rather be blessed with the circumstance where no-one needs to serve. There are no heros, only those who died needlessly or survivors of evil. we are all forgotten eventually
@@justeauanka6017 I would suggest that, wherever you live, you are benefitting from heroes that gave their lives to stop oppressive thugs from getting their way. Just Google Belsen or Nanking to see what I mean. While life on earth exists, there will always be people who wish to enforce their will on others. The world you envisage can never exist.
@@nickjung7394 My father, lost a leg in ww2.
But that was not the reason he was a hero to me. Irrespective of his obvious disadvantages he continued to lead others and inspire. I admire him every day since he passed and thank him for leaving me with his views. You live to be a person not a war criminal. Peace to you.
@@justeauanka6017 well, I am certain, given the world situation, your turn will come and you will have to make a choice.
A bit more research would have told us why and how he was wounded . You could have told us the origins of HMS Chester and what was deficient about her gun shields but you were just too lazy to do any.
I love the last memorial quotation honored his dignity he who was not wealthy in inheritance but brave and steadfast in his duty that man was honorable ,I can't remember the exact wording