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Herman Albrecht VC (1876 – 6 January 1900) was a Cape Colony recipient of the
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Museum of Military History in
Photos of the battlefield at Wagon Hill
''Natal, South Africa''
''South Africa Museum of Military History, Johannesburg''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Albrecht, Herman 1876 births 1900 deaths People from Burgersdorp British colonial army soldiers Second Boer War recipients of the Victoria Cross Cape Colony recipients of the Victoria Cross British military personnel killed in the Second Boer War Military personnel from the Eastern Cape
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom, British decorations system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British ...
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth
A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the 15th century. Originally a phrase (the common-wealth ...
forces.
Details
Albrecht was about 24 years old, and a Trooper in the Imperial Light Horse (Natal),South African Forces
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) comprises the armed forces of South Africa. The Chief of the SANDF is appointed by the President of South Africa from one of the armed services. They are in turn accountable to the Minister of D ...
during the Second Boer War
The Second Boer War (, , 11 October 189931 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, Transvaal War, Anglo–Boer War, or South African War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer republics (the South African Republic and ...
when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
On 6 January 1900 during the attack on Wagon Hill, near Ladysmith, South Africa
uMnambithi (formerly Ladysmith until 2024) is a town in the Uthukela District Municipality, Uthukela District of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It lies north-west of Durban and south-east of Johannesburg. Important industries in the area include fo ...
, Lieutenant Robert James Thomas Digby-Jones of the Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually called the Royal Engineers (RE), and commonly known as the ''Sappers'', is the engineering arm of the British Army. It provides military engineering and other technical support to the British Armed Forces ...
and Trooper Albrecht led the force which re-occupied the top of the hill at a critical moment, just as the three foremost attacking Boers reached it. The leader was shot by the lieutenant and the two others by Trooper Albrecht. He was jointed cited with Lt Digby-Jones:
The Medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg
Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu language, Zulu and Xhosa language, Xhosa: eGoli ) (colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, Jo'burg or "The City of Gold") is the most populous city in South Africa. With 5,538,596 people in the City of Johannesburg alon ...
.
See also
*The Register of the Victoria Cross
''The Register of the Victoria Cross'' is a reference work that provides brief information on every Victoria Cross awarded until the publication date. Each entry provides a summary of the deed, along with a photograph of the recipient and the f ...
*List of Second Boer War Victoria Cross recipients
The Victoria Cross (VC) is a British military honour awarded to 78 members of the British Armed Forces for action during the Second Boer War. The Victoria Cross is a military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to membe ...
Notes
References
* *External links
Photos of the battlefield at Wagon Hill
''Natal, South Africa''
''South Africa Museum of Military History, Johannesburg''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Albrecht, Herman 1876 births 1900 deaths People from Burgersdorp British colonial army soldiers Second Boer War recipients of the Victoria Cross Cape Colony recipients of the Victoria Cross British military personnel killed in the Second Boer War Military personnel from the Eastern Cape