Royal Marines VC-interest post

[Gra30]

On this Day in 1966, Sgt Norman Finch died aged 75.

He was one of two Royal Marines awarded the Victoria Cross, by a ballot of their comrades, for a deed that took place during the Zeebrugge Raid of 22/23 April 1918. He stayed at his position when everyone else had been either killed or badly wounded, despite being severely injured himself and under constant fire. He bequeathed his Victoria Cross to the Royal Marines Museum where it is on display.

The photograph, taken at the Eastney Fair, 1918, shows Sgt Norman Finch VC Royal Marine Artillery with one of the cruiser HMS Vindictive’s Lewis guns that he used when he won his VC at Zeebrugge.

Courtesy of Royal Marines Museum

 

[Mark Dollery]

we don't come across those type of people anymore, good to hear real life stories like this!
Mark D

 

[Waterman]

A gentleman arrived at the guardroom at Eastney Barracks one day and the Sgt of the Guard detailed a mate of mine to Escourt him to the Sgts Mess. In those days the Mess was above the old Drill Shed, and at the top of the stairs hung a painting of Sgt Norman Augustas Finch VC. RMA. The man said to my mate, you don't recognise me then, pointed to his picture and then walked into the mess, leaving my mate gobsmacked but with a very nice story to tell.