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 August issue of magazine has four pages on the life and career of Temporary Captain Henry John Andrews VC, MBE. Andrews was the recipient of a rare inter-war VC for bravery – there were, in fact, 11 such actions between November 1918 and September 1939.
Andrews was affectionately known as the “Salvation Army VC”: both his parents were members and, after his mother’s premature death, he was brought up by Bramwell Booth, the first chief-of-staff and second general of the Salvation Army, with help from his sister, Emma.
Andrews was awarded his VC while serving in the Indian Army Medical Service and for bravery in October 1919 at the Khajuri Post, Waziristan, India (now Pakistan).
After a convoy was attacked by a rebel force of tribesmen, Andrews rushed to help the wounded as the fighting continued. He seemed to lead a charmed life as he assisted several injured people but he was eventually killed, aged 46. His VC was announced in September 1920.
Lord Ashcroft’s articles for Britain at War over the past six years have been largely 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.
Lord Ashcroft is a military historian who has lectured extensively on courage and his various medal collections.
- Lord Ashcroft’s latest article appears in the August issue of Britain at War which is on sale now.
