Abraham Acton

Abraham Acton VC (17 December 1893 – 16 May 1915) 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.

Abraham Acton
Born(1893-12-17)17 December 1893
Whitehaven, Cumberland, United Kingdom
Died16 May 1915(1915-05-16) (aged 21)
Festubert, France
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service1914–1915
RankPrivate
UnitThe Border Regiment
Battles/warsWorld War I
AwardsVictoria Cross

Biography

Acton was born on 17 December 1893 to Robert and Elizabeth Eleanor Acton, of 4 Regent Square, Senhouse Street, Whitehaven in Cumberland.[1]

He was 21 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Border Regiment, British Army during the First World War. He and James Alexander Smith, were both awarded their Victoria Cross for their actions on 21 December 1914 at Rouges Bancs, France.

For conspicuous bravery on the 21st December, at Rouges-Bancs, in voluntarily going from his trench and rescuing a wounded man who had been lying exposed against the enemy's trenches for 75 hours; and on the same day again leaving his trench voluntarily, under heavy fire to bring into cover another wounded man. He was under fire for 60 minutes whilst conveying the wounded men into safety.[2]

He was killed in action at Festubert, France, on 16 May 1915, but his body was never found - he is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.[3]

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Beacon, Whitehaven, Cumbria, England.

References
  1. Acton, Abraham, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  2. "No. 29074". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 February 1916. p. 1700.
  3. Burial Location of Abraham Acton Archived 12 December 2004 at the Wayback Machine France, victoriacross.org.uk
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