James Firth

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James Firth bigraphy, stories - Recipient of the Victoria Cross

James Firth : biography

15 January 1874 – 29 May 1921

James Firth

Early life and family

He was born in Sheffield, Sheffield, son of Charles Firth, steel smelter, of Jarrow-on-Tyne, and Mrs Charles Firth. He joined the Army 29 July 1889. He married Mary Florence in June 1897 and they had two children: Alleyne G Firth, born 25 June 1903 and Cecil J Firth, born 18 December 1907.

The medal

The medal is in the Lord Ashcroft Collection

Death

He died of tuberculosis in May 1921

Military career

Firth was 26 years old, and a sergeant in the 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place on 24 February 1900 near Arundel, Cape Colony for which he was awarded the VC:

He returned to the United Kingdom in early 1901, and received the VC from King Edward VII during an investiture at Marlborough House 25 July 1901.