James Samuel Emerson
Encyclopedia
James Samuel Emerson VC
(1895 – 1917) was a British Army officer
, and posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross
, the highest award of the British Commonwealth for gallantry "in the face of the enemy", during the First World War.
, County Louth
to John and Ellen Emerson. When he was 22 years old, and a temporary second lieutenant
in the 9th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Tyrone Volunteers), British Army
during the First World War
, and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 6 December 1917, on the Hindenburg Line
north of La Vacquerie
, France
. He died in action that same day.
parish church at Collon
, County Louth
and on the Cambrai Memorial to the Missing
.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
(1895 – 1917) was a British Army officer
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, and posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest award of the British Commonwealth for gallantry "in the face of the enemy", during the First World War.
Biography
Emerson was born 3 August 1895 in the village of CollonCollon
Collon is a village and townland in the south west corner of County Louth, Ireland on the N2 national primary road. The village is home to the Cistercian Abbey of New Mellifont.-Facilities:...
, County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
to John and Ellen Emerson. When he was 22 years old, and a temporary second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the 9th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Tyrone Volunteers), British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 6 December 1917, on the Hindenburg Line
Hindenburg Line
The Hindenburg Line was a vast system of defences in northeastern France during World War I. It was constructed by the Germans during the winter of 1916–17. The line stretched from Lens to beyond Verdun...
north of La Vacquerie
La Vacquerie
-References:*...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. He died in action that same day.
Citation
Memorial
His name is inscribed on the war memorial at the Church of IrelandChurch of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
parish church at Collon
Collon
Collon is a village and townland in the south west corner of County Louth, Ireland on the N2 national primary road. The village is home to the Cistercian Abbey of New Mellifont.-Facilities:...
, County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
and on the Cambrai Memorial to the Missing
Cambrai Memorial to the Missing
The Cambrai Memorial to the Missing is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission memorial for the missing soldiers of World War I who fought in the Battle of Cambrai on the Western Front.-Foundation:...
.