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 the magazine has four pages on the life and career of Captain Harry Cator, VC, MM, who showed outstanding bravery during the First World War.
Cator, who was born in Norwich, Norfolk, enlisted into The East Surrey Regiment shortly after the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 – and on the very day after his wedding.
In July 1916, he showed such courage in battle that he was later awarded the Military Medal (MM). His VC was awarded for still greater bravery displayed on the first day of the Battle of Arras in April 1917 when he single-handedly stormed an enemy machine-gun post and then held the position despite a massive counter-attack by the Germans.
However, just three days after his VC action, Cator was seriously wounded when a shell burst, fracturing his upper and lower jaw. He made a good recovery and was feted as a war hero after his VC was announced on June 8 1917.
Cator re-enlisted in the Norfolk Home Guard during the Second World War. He eventually died in hospital in Norwich, his home city, on April 7 1966, aged 72.
Lord Ashcroft’s articles for Britain at War over the past ten years have been largely based on excerpts from his seven books on gallantry: Victoria Cross Heroes, Special Forces Heroes, George Cross Heroes, Heroes of the Skies, Special Ops Heroes, Victoria Cross Heroes Volume II and Falklands War Heroes.
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.
