Near the Leeds War Memorial you will find a commemorative panel for the Victoria Cross Holders from Leeds or the surrounding area.
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for bravery in the UK and Commonwealth. It’s a big deal, it is rare, very serious, and only given for the most extreme courage.
The Victoria Cross is awarded “for valour in the face of the enemy” and open to all ranks and all services (Army, Navy, RAF). It is the most prestigious decoration and can be awarded posthumously. The Victoria Cross isn’t about rank, fame, or winning battles. It’s about self-sacrifice and moral courage. Choosing others over yourself in the worst moments imaginable. It was established on 29 January 1856 by Queen Victoria and first awarded after the Crimean War.
Originally the VC was cast from bronze taken from Russian cannons captured at Sevastopol. it has a simple design by intent. A bronze cross pattée, a crown of Saint Edward with a lion and comes with the inscription: “FOR VALOUR”.
The Victoria Cross medal is very rare, only 1358 VCs are awarded since 1856, only 14 since the Second World War. This rarity is why it carries such weight.
Victoria Cross Recipients Leeds
Here are Victoria Cross (VC) recipients connected to Leeds whose bravery is remembered through memorials, burial sites, plaques or commemorative paving stones, many of whom have links to Leeds War Memorials and district sites:
Arthur Louis Aaron VC
Born: 5 March 1922, Leeds
Conflict: Second World War
Notable: Only Leeds serviceman awarded the VC in WWII, for exceptional bravery as a RAF bomber pilot; his VC and other medals are displayed at Leeds City Museum.
Captain David Philip Hirsch VC
Born: Headingley, Leeds
Conflict: First World War
What he did: Awarded the VC for leadership and devotion to duty during the Second Battle of the Scarpe (1917), where he lost his life.
Memorial: Commemorated with a dedicated VC paving stone at St Chad’s Church war memorial, Far Headingley.
Sergeant Albert Mountain VC
Born: Leeds
Conflict: First World War
What he did: Awarded the VC for gallantry at Hamelincourt, France, in March 1918.
Memorial: VC paving stone in Garforth near The Miners Bar & Kitchen with a blue plaque.
Private William Boynton Butler VC
Born/Buried: Leeds
Conflict: First World War
What he did: Awarded the VC for conspicuous bravery handling a live shell to save comrades in trenches east of Lempire, France.
Memorial: Paving stone at Hunslet War Memorial, close to his burial site.
Alfred Atkinson VC
Born: Armley, Leeds
Conflict: Second Boer War
What he did: Awarded the VC for bravery at Paardeberg, Transvaal (1900); one of the earliest VC holders from Leeds.
Laurence Calvert VC
Born: Leeds
Conflict: First World War
What he did: Awarded the VC for capturing enemy machine guns at the Battle of Havrincourt (1918).
George Sanders VC, MC
Born: Leeds
Conflict: First World War
What he did: Awarded the VC (and later Military Cross) for outstanding leadership under heavy enemy attacks.
Burial: Leeds.
All Victoria Cross Holders Leeds
Here is an overview on all Victoria Cross Recipients Connected to Leeds (including the ones above).
1. Private William Boynton Butler VC – Born in Armley (Leeds) (WWI).
2. Sergeant Laurence Calvert VC, MM – Born in Leeds (WWI).
3. Major Wilfred Edwards VC – Died and buried in Leeds; key service in WWI.
4. Captain David Philip Hirsch VC – Born in Headingley (Leeds) (WWI).
5. Sergeant Albert Mountain VC – From Garforth (Leeds area) (WWI).
6. Captain George Sanders VC, MC – Born in Leeds (WWI).
7. Charles Burley Ward VC – Born in Hunslet (Leeds), Boer War VC recipient.
8. Jack White VC – Listed as a Leeds-born recipient in VC roll summaries.
West Yorkshire VC Winners With Leeds Burial / Local Links:
(Some were not born in Leeds proper but are buried or strongly associated with Leeds memorials — often included in regional VC commemorations around the city.)
9. Joel Holmes VC – Buried in West Yorkshire (not Leeds-born).
10. Matthew Hughes VC – Buried in West Yorkshire.
11. James Joseph Hull VC – Died in Leeds (born Harrogate; buried Woodhouse Lane, Leeds).
12. Charles Magennis VC – Born Celtic but buried in West Yorkshire (not Leeds-born).
13. Thomas Harold Broadbent Maufe VC – West Yorkshire buried.
14. John William Ormsby VC – West Yorkshire buried.
15. Arthur Poulter VC – West Yorkshire buried.
Broader Yorkshire Recipients Often Included in Local Commemorations:
16. Alfred Atkinson VC – From Leeds area, Second Boer War.
17. Frederick McNess VC – From Leeds area (WWI).
Visit
The panel listing the names of all the Victoria Cross recipients can be seen on the corner of The Headrow and Kookridge Street in Leeds. It’s located in a small flowerbed on the corner. Don’t forget to walk a little further to the Leeds War Memorial.
