Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Freemasons VC Memorial | Great Queen Street | |
Awards & Titles: | Victoria Cross | ||
Early Life :
George Campbell Wheeler (1880-1938) was born on 7th April 1880 at Yokohama, Japan, a second son of Dr Edwin Wheeler. The Wheelers were originally from Belfast, Ireland and Edwin had been educated at Queen’s College, Belfast, and after serving in the Royal Navy as fleet surgeon took up private practice in Japan.Education & Career :
George was educated at Bedford School from 1893-1897, and represented the school at cricket and rugby. After deciding on a military career, he moved to Woolwich and then to Sandhurst.
Wheeler later retired to Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire, where he lived at Maryville, at the eastern end of Beech Avenue. He had a keen interest in various local affairs, including the annual Remembrance Day service, and was a member of the Conservative Club. Wheeler died on 26th August 1938 at Grove Nursing Home of pneumonia after an operation and was buried at St Mary Magdalene Church, New Milton, Hampshire. After his death, one of his three sons, Captain D.E.B. Wheeler RAF, presented his father’s VC to the National Army Museum. His others medals include the British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal 1914-19 with Mentioned in Despatches oakleaf, India General Service Medal 1903-1935 with two clasps, and George VI Coronation Medal 1937.
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 9th Gurkha Rifles |
| Action : War Survivor |
Although many perished in times of national conflict and in the service of their country, many more survived including those interned as Prisoners of War. Stories of those who did survive are included as part of this site, especially those with high gallantry awards, those included against an external rolls of honour and those who had a distinguished career in wartime and military leaderhip.
Wheeler was gazetted to the 2/9th Gurkhas in early 1902 and was promoted to Lieutenant in April, then Captain in 1909 and substantive Major on 1st September 1915.
Detail :
On 23 February 1917 at Shumran on the River Tigris, Mesopotamia, Major Wheeler, together with one Gurkha officer and eight men crossed the river and rushed the enemy's trench in the face of very heavy fire. Having obtained a footing on the far bank, he was almost immediately counter-attacked by the enemy with a party of bombers. Major Wheeler at once led a charge, receiving in the process a severe bayonet wound in the head. In spite of this, however, he managed to disperse the enemy and consolidate his position.
Citations & Commemorations :
On 23 February 1917 at Shumran on the River Tigris, Mesopotamia, Major Wheeler, together with one Gurkha officer and eight men crossed the river and rushed the enemy's trench in the face of very heavy fire. Having obtained a footing on the far bank, he was almost immediately counter-attacked by the enemy with a party of bombers. Major Wheeler at once led a charge, receiving in the process a severe bayonet wound in the head. In spite of this, however, he managed to disperse the enemy and consolidate his position.Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Siwalik No. 2939 E.C. | Bengal |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
15th April 1909 | 20th May 1915 | 17th June 1915 |
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley