Edmund Hartley

Colonel Edmund Barron Hartley VC CMG (6 May 1847 – 20 March 1919 ) was a 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.

The deed
Hartley was born in Ivybridge, Devon on 6 May 1847. He was 32 years old, and a surgeon major in the Cape Mounted Riflemen, Cape Colonial Forces during the Basuto Gun War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 5 June 1879 in South Africa, Surgeon Major Hartley attended the wounded under fire at the unsuccessful attack at Morosi's Mountain. From an exposed position, on open ground, he carried in his arms a wounded corporal of the Cape Mounted Riflemen. The surgeon major then returned under severe enemy fire in order to dress the wounds of the other men of the storming party.

Later service
He later achieved the rank of surgeon colonel and, in March 1900 during the Second Boer War fighting at Aliwal, he is mentioned doing ambulance work, ferrying away the wounded under fire.

In November 1900 he was reported wounded following the occupation of Philippolis by Lovat Scouts and Seaforth Highlanders

On 19 April 1901 he was appointed a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George He died in Ash, Hampshire and is buried at Brookwood Cemetery.

The Medal
In 1955 the Victoria Cross medal was bought at Sotheby's for the then record price of £300. It is now displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum in Mytchett, Surrey.