See the June issue of Britain at War for Lord Ashcroft’s new bravery article

  • 7 June, 2018
  • Bravery
  • Britain at War
  • Medals

Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has had his latest “hero of the month” article published in Britain at War, the country’s best-selling military history monthly magazine.

The June issue of the magazine has a two-page write-up on the life and bravery of Brigadier Manley Angell James, who was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for outstanding bravery during the Great War.

James, who was born in Odiham, Hampshire, was commissioned as a Temporary Second Lieutenant to the 8th Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment, in December 1914, four months after the start of the First World War.

His VC was announced on June 28 1918 for courage in battle in March 1918 during which he was eventually wounded three times as he fought off the enemy and, later, launched a counter-attack. James was originally reported to have died in battle but, in fact, he was taken as a PoW and eventually released at the end of the war.

During a distinguished military career, James was also awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and awarded the Military Cross (MC). He died at his home in Bristol in September 1975, aged 79.

Lord Ashcroft’s articles for Britain at War over the past six years have often been based on excerpts from his six books on gallantry: Victoria Cross Heroes, Special Forces Heroes, George Cross Heroes, Heroes of the Skies, Special Ops Heroes and Victoria Cross Heroes Volume II.

For the foreseeable future, Lord Ashcroft’s “hero of the month” articles will concentrate on men who were awarded the VC during the First World War. Lord Ashcroft is a military historian who has lectured extensively on courage and his various medal collections.

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