VICTORIA CROSS WINNERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 23, 28 January 1933, Page 3

VICTORIA CROSS WINNERS

HOW THE HEROES FARE THE GREAT BATTLE OF LIFE Once feted as national heroes, Bri;ain \ bravest soldiers, the men who for iheir courage wer e awarded the Victoria Cross, are now living in comparative obscurity. Some are facing poverty. Other s have successfuly adapted themselves to modern conditions and are prospering. Many have slipped out L . of sight completely. F Inquiries by a Sunday Chronicle representative reveal that V.C.’s are working as commissionaires, warehousemen, lamplighters, milkmen, and barristers. Once VC- wa s recently discovered playing a barrel organ in order to earn a living He is cx-Scrgcant-Major Clarke, of Northampton, who is nowworking for a Rochdale building firm. Among the successful V.C.’s is Brig-adier-General W. Wright, who has recently been appointed a member of the King’s Bodyguard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemcn-at-Arms. Captain E. G. Robinson, another V.C., is naval lide-de-camp to the King. Ex-Lieuten-mt Brett Mackay Cloutman, V.C., is a barrister. Michael O’Leary, the gallant Irish V.C. is working in a London -warehouse. Captain Eric Robinson, who was awarded his V-C. for an act of bravery ashore in the Dardanelles in 1915, is today 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 comX missionaire. Another V.C. who is a is ex-Corporal James Smith, of the *‘Buffs.” Ex-Sergeant Boulter, of Coulsdon, runs a hosiery business of his own.