Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
• The Second World War 1939-1945, World-wide.

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.

Detail :

See also: VC Online for a biography.

The citation for his Victoria Cross appears in the London Gazette of Wednesday, 27th February, 1918.

His Majesty The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Non-Commissioned Officers and Man :- ...

No. 450685. Riflmn. (L./Cpl.) John Alexander Christie, Lond. R. (Upper Holloway).
"For most conspicuous bravery when after a position had been captured, the enemy immediately made counter and bombing; attacks up communication trenches. L./Cpl. Christie, realising the position, took a supply of bombs over the top, proceeding alone about fifty yards in the open along the communication trench and bombed the enemy. He continued to do this alone in spite of very heavy opposition until a block had been established. Returning towards our lines he heard voices behind him; he at once turned back and bombed another party moving up the trench, entirely breaking up a further bombing attack. By his prompt and effective action he undoubtedly cleared a difficult position at a most critical time and saved many lives. Throughout he was subjected to heavy machine-gun fire and shell fire. He showed the greatest coolness and a total disregard for his own safety."

His service medals are held privately, but a copy miniature set is displayed at Cheadle Hulme School.

A memorial to John is located at Euston Station, London.

Masonic :

With the assistance of Susan Snell at the Library and Museum of Freemasonry it has been possible to establish and confirm John Alexander Christie's masonic biography. He was initiated into Commercial Traveller's Lodge No. 2795 in 1922 and recorded as a Commercial Traveller. He remained a member of this Lodge until he resigned 10th March, 1965.

He became a petitioning and founder member of Zenith Lodge No. 4892, joining at its consecration in December, 1926. He was Worshipful Master in 1936 and attained Honorary member status in this lodge at its meeting on 9th October, 1965. He was also a petitioning and founder member of Albatross Lodge, No. 6164, in Manchester, August 1945, becoming Worshipful Master in 1951. He remained a member until his death in 1967.

John was also a member of the Royal Arch having been exalted into Truth Chapter, No. 1458, Manchester on 11th February, 1939 when aged 43 and working as a Sales Manager. He resigned 12th December, 1953. He had already joined Acorn and Rose Chapter, No. 5677, Salford on 17th September, 1951 whilst a Company Director but resigned 4th March, 1965.

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