WOODROFFE

These medals are un-named replicas of those held by Second Lieutenant Sydney Woodroffe VC, 8th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in World War 1 in 1915, where he was killed in action.

WOODROFFE, Sydney Clayton. 2nd Lieutenant 8th Battalion The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own)

London Gazetted on 6th September 1915.

Born on: 17th December 1895 at Lewes, Sussex.

Died on: 30th July 1915 at Hooge, Belgium.

Memorials at: Menin Gate, Belgium, and The Rifle Brigade Memorial at Winchester Cathedral.

Citationreads:

On 30 July 1915 at Hooge, Belgium, when the enemy had broken through the centre of our front trenches, Second Lieutenant Woodroffe's position was heavily attacked with bombs from the flank and subsequently from the rear, but he managed to defend his post until all his bombs were exhausted. He then skilfully withdrew his remaining crew and immediately led them forward in a counter-attack under intense rifle and machine-gun fire, and was killed whilst in the act of cutting the wire obstacles in the open.