V.C. WINNERS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 40, 17 February 1933, Page 14

V.C. WINNERS

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Once feted as national heroes, Britain's bravest soldiers, tho men who for their courage wsro awarded tho Victoria Cross, aro now living in comparative obscurity. Some are facing <poverty. Others have successfully adapted themselves to modern conditions and are prospering. Many have slipped out of . sight completely. Inquiries by a "Sunday Chronicle" representative reveal that V.C.'s aro working as commissionaires, warehousemen, lamp-lighters, milkmen, and barristers. . . One V.C. -was recently discovered playing a barrel organ in order to earn a living. He is ex-Sergeant-Major Clarke, of Northampton, who is now working for a Rochdale building firm. Among the successful V.C.'s is Briga-dier-General W. Wright, who has recently been appointed a member of the King's Bodyguard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms, Captain E. Gr. Robinson, another V.C, is naval aide-de-camp to the King,' Ex-Lieuten-ant Brett. Mackay Cloutman, V.C, is a barrister. Michael O'Le'ary, the gallant Irish V.C, is "working in a London warehouse. Captain Erie Robinson, who was awarded his V.C. for an act of bravery ashoro in tho Dardanelles in 1915, is to-aay captain of the dockyard at Devonport. Two V.C.'s are lamplighters in Leeds.' Mr. Gordon Kenny, the ex-Gordon Highlanders drummer, who won his V.C. near Ypres, is in London as a commissionaire. Another V.C. who is a commissionaire is ex-Corporal James Smith, of the "Buffs." Ex-Sergeant Boulter, of Coulsdon, runs a hosiery business of his own.