Legion of Frontiersmen (New Zealand) Command

ORMSBY John William

3/1836, Sergeant, 2nd Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI)

18596, Legion of Frontiersmen, Dewsbury, United Kingdom

CITATION

Victoria Cross

Gazetted 8 June 1917

On 14 April 1917 at Favet, France, during operations which culminated in the capture of an important position, Sergeant Ormsby, acting

as Company Sergeant Major showed complete indifference to the heavy machine-gun and rifle fire and set a fine example. After clearing

a village he pushed on and drove out many snipers from localities further forward. When the only surviving officer was wounded he took

command of the company and led them forward under heavy fire for 400 yards to a new position, holding it until relieved. His conduct

throughout was admirable and inspired confidence in every man under his command.

Military Medal

Gazetted 11 November 1916

No citation available

For splendid work at Hill 60

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted

No citation available

AWARDS

Victoria Cross

Military Medal

1914 Star

5th Aug - 22nd Nov 1914

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Mention in Despatches

Defence Medal

Coronation Medal 1937

NOTES

Born 11 January 1881 Old Westgate, Dewsbury, England

Died 20 July 1952 at Dewsbury, England

Buried at the Dewsbury Cemetery [SECTION R, GRAVE 718]

His medals are on display at the K.O.Y.L.I Museum in Doncaster England

It is known that John William ORMSBY enlisted into the Legion of Frontiersmen between 1 Aug 1930 - 15 Jan 1931