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MAJOR GERALD LITTLEHALES GOODLAKE, VC.
Gerald Goodlake was born on 14th May 1832 at
Faringdon, Berkshire.
He was commissioned into the 21st Regiment of Foot (now
the Royal Highland Fusiliers) on 14th June 1850. He
exchanged (by purchase) into the Coldstream Guards on
27th June 1851. He served in the Crimea with the 1st
Battalion, and also with the Sharpshooter which he
commanded. He took part in the battles of Alma, Inkerman,
Balaclava and Sevastopol.
He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry at
Windmill Ravine on 28th October 1854. He was presented
the VC by Queen Victoria at the first Investiture in
Hyde Park on 26th June 1857.
He was promoted to Brevet Colonel on 30 April 1869, and
was an Aide de Camp to Queen Victoria until August 1879.
He was promoted to Major General on 11th August 1879 and
he retired on 1st July 1881. He was then given the
Honorary Rank of Lieutenant General.
He died on 5th April 1890 at Denham, Middlesex.
As well as the VC, he was awarded the Crimea Medal with
four clasps, Knight of the Legion of Honour (5th Class),
Order of Mejidie (5th Class), Turkish Crimea Medal.
EXTRACT FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE
24 Feb 1857
Victoria Cross
Brevet Major Gerald Littlehales GOODLAKE, 1st Bn
Coldstream Guards
For distinguished gallantry whilst in command of the
sharpshooters furnished by the Coldstream Guards, on
28th October, 1854, on the occasion of “the powerful
sortie on the 2nd Division,” when he held the Windmill
Ravine, below Picquet House, against a much larger force
of the enemy. He party of sharpshooters under his
command killed thirty eight (one an officer) and took
three prisoners of the enemy, (of the latter, one an
officer) Major Goodlake being the sole Officer in
command.
His medal(s) is on display at Regimental Headquarters
RELATED IMAGES/INFORMATION
Wikipedia External Link
Colonel Gerald Littlehales Goodlake of the British Army,
along with his horse.
Goodlake subsequently earned the Victoria Cross and rose
to the rank of Lieutenant General.
Crimean War Victoria Cross Recipient.
Born on the family estate of Wadley, Faringdon,
Berkshire, he was serving as a brevet major with the 1st
Battalion of the Coldstream Guards when he performed the
deeds for which he was awarded the VC. His citation
reads: "For distinguished gallantry whilst in command of
the sharpshooters furnished by the Coldstream Guards, on
28th October, 1854, on the occasion of 'the powerful
sortie on the 2nd Division,' when he held the Windmill
Ravine, below Picquet House, against a much larger force
of the enemy. The party of sharpshooters under his
command killed thirty eight (one an officer) and took
three prisoners of the enemy, (of the latter, one an
officer) Major Goodlake being the sole Officer in
command." He was promoted to brevet colonel in 1869
served as aide-de-camp to Queen Victoria in the 1870s,
was promoted to major general in 1879 and retired in
1881 with the honorary rank of lieutenant general. He
passed away at Denham, Middlesex, at the age of 57. His
medals, including the French Légion d'Honneur and the
Turkish Order of Mejidie, are in the collection of the
Coldstream Guards Regimental Headquarters, London.
More info by clicking here.
There are two graves at St Mary the
Virgin, Harefield, which the 'occupants' have received
the Victoria Cross. Gerald Littlehales Goodlake (May 14,
1832 - April 5, 1890) was an English recipient of the
Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award
for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be
awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was 22
years old, and a Brevet Major in the Coldstream Guards,
British Army during the Crimean War when the following
deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 28
October 1854 at Inkerman, Crimea, Major Goodlake was in
command of a party of sharpshooters which held Windmill
Ravine against a much larger force of the enemy, killing
38 (including an officer) and taking three prisoners. He
also showed conspicuous gallantry on a later occasion
when his sharpshooters surprised a picquet and seized
the knapsacks and rifles of the enemy. He later achieved
the rank of Lieutenant General. Taken for Wikipedia
More info by clicking here.
MEDAL ENTITLEMENT OF:
Lieutenant General Gerald GOODLAKE (Coldstream
Guards)
Victoria Cross
Crimea Medal ( 1854-56 )
4 clasps:
"Alma" - "Balaclava"
"Inkermann" - "Sebastopol"
Knight, Legion of Honour ( France )
Order of the Medjidieh ( Turkey )
Turkish Crimea Medal ( 1855-56 ) |
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