George Godfrey Massy Wheeler

George Godfrey Massy Wheeler
File:VCGeorgeGodfreyMassyWheeler.jpg
Born	31 January 1873 Chakrata, British India
Died	13 April 1915 (aged 42) Shaiba, Mesopotamia
Buried	Basra War Cemetery
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Indian Army
Rank	Major
Unit	The Wiltshire Regiment 7th Hariana Lancers
Battles/wars	World War I †
Awards	Victoria Cross
Relations	Sir Hugh Massey Wheeler (grandfather)

George Godfrey Massy Wheeler VC (31 January 1873 – 13 April 1915) 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.

Victoria Cross

He was Major in the 7th Hariana Lancers, British Indian Army, during World War I. On 12 April 1915 at Shaiba, Mesopotamia, Major Wheeler led his squadron in an attempt to capture a flag which was the centre-point of a group of the enemy who were firing on one of his troop's picquets. He advanced, attacked the enemy's infantry with the lance, and then retired while the enemy swarmed out of hidden ground where Royal Artillery guns could attack them. On 13 April Major Wheeler led his squadron to the attack of the North Mound. He was seen far ahead of his men, riding straight for the enemy's standards, but was killed in the attack. Major Wheeler was 42 years old at the time of this action, for which he was awarded the VC.

Wheeler was a grandson of Sir Hugh Massy Wheeler. He was educated at Bedford Modern School. In 1900 he married Nellie Purcell, a daughter of the surgeon Ferdinand Purcell.

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

• Find-A-Grave profile for George Godfrey Massy Wheeler