George Gristock
Encyclopedia
George Gristock VC
(14 June 1905 - 16 June 1940) was a 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.
Gristock was born in Pretoria, South Africa. He was 35 years old, and a Warrant Officer
Class II holding the appointment of company sergeant major
in The Royal Norfolk Regiment, British Army
during the Second World War. During the Battle of France
the 2nd battalion was part of the British Expeditionary Force
.
On 21 May 1940 near the River Escaut, Belgium
, south of Tournai
. Company Sergeant-Major Gristock organized a party of eight riflemen and went forward to cover the company's right flank, where the enemy had broken through. He then went on with one man under heavy fire and was severely wounded in both legs, but having gained his fire position undetected, he managed to put out of action a machine-gun which was inflicting heavy casualties and kill the crew of four. He then dragged himself back to the right flank position but refused to be evacuated until contact with the battalion had been established. He later died of his wounds.* The Times reported, "By his gallant action the position of the company was secured, and many casualties prevented."
, England.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
(14 June 1905 - 16 June 1940) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces.
Gristock was born in Pretoria, South Africa. He was 35 years old, and a Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer (United Kingdom)
In the British Armed Forces, a warrant officer is the highest non-commissioned rank, holding the Queen's warrant, which is signed by the Secretary of State for Defence. Warrant officers are not saluted, but are to be addressed as 'Sir/Ma'am' by subordinates. Their seniors may address warrant...
Class II holding the appointment of company sergeant major
Company Sergeant Major
A company sergeant major is the senior non-commissioned soldier of a company in the armies of many Commonwealth countries, responsible for standards and discipline. In combat, his prime responsibility is the supply of ammunition to the company...
in The Royal Norfolk Regiment, British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
during the Second World War. During the Battle of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
the 2nd battalion was part of the British Expeditionary Force
British Expeditionary Force (World War II)
The British Expeditionary Force was the British force in Europe from 1939–1940 during the Second World War. Commanded by General Lord Gort, the BEF constituted one-tenth of the defending Allied force....
.
On 21 May 1940 near the River Escaut, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, south of Tournai
Tournai
Tournai is a Walloon city and municipality of Belgium located 85 kilometres southwest of Brussels, on the river Scheldt, in the province of Hainaut....
. Company Sergeant-Major Gristock organized a party of eight riflemen and went forward to cover the company's right flank, where the enemy had broken through. He then went on with one man under heavy fire and was severely wounded in both legs, but having gained his fire position undetected, he managed to put out of action a machine-gun which was inflicting heavy casualties and kill the crew of four. He then dragged himself back to the right flank position but refused to be evacuated until contact with the battalion had been established. He later died of his wounds.* The Times reported, "By his gallant action the position of the company was secured, and many casualties prevented."
Further information
He is buried at Bear Road Cemetery, Brighton, Sussex, England in the War Graves Section (Plot Z.G.L. Grave 28).The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Norfolk Regiment Museum NorwichNorwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, England.
External links
- Warrant Officer Second Class G. Gristock in The Art of War exhibition at the UK National Archives
- Location of grave and VC medal (East Sussex)
- London Gazette entry at National Archives
- Picture at Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum website
- Picture of George from the Norwich Evening News