Norwood J Captain VC 5th Dragoon Guards
CAPTAIN J. NORWOOD
5TH (PRINCESS CHARLOTTE OF WALES’S) DRAGOON GUARDS
JOHN NORWOOD was the only son of John and Lucy Norwood, of Pembury Lodge, New Beckenham, Kent.
He entered the School in 1891, and was in the Shooting VIII which won the Ashburton Shield at Bisley in 1894. In the same year he went up to Exeter College, Oxford.
He received his Commission as a University Candidate in the 5th Dragoon Guards in 1899. He went to India in the same year, and to South Africa on the outbreak of the Boer War. He was present at the Battle of Elandslaagte (October 21st, 1899), and on the eve of the Battle of Lombard’s Kop (October 31st), in which he took part, performed the act for which he was subsequently given the Victoria Cross. He served through the Siege of Ladysmith, during which he was attacked by enteric fever. After a short interval at home he returned to South Africa, and remained in active service until the end of the War. For his services he received the Queen’s Medal with Four Clasps and the King’s with Two.
The Official record of the services for which he received the Victoria Cross was as follows:-
Sec. Lieut. John Norwood, 5th Dragoon Guards.
“On the 30th October, 1899, he went out from Ladysmith in charge of a small patrol of the 5th Dragoon Guards. They came under a heavy fire from the enemy, who were posted on a ridge in great force. The patrol, which had arrived within 600 yards of the ridge, then retired at full speed. One man dropped, and Second Lieutenant Norwood galloped back about 300 yards through heavy fire, dismounted, and picking up the fallen trooper carried him out of fire on his back, at the same time leading his horse with one hand. The enemy kept up an incessant fire during the whole time that Second Lieutenant Norwood was carrying the man until he was quite out of range.”
Between 1902 and 1909 he served in India, England, South Africa, and Dublin, and then left the Army. He was offered the post of King’s Messenger, but was unable to accept it.
After he left the Regular Army he was still keenly interested in everything connected with it. In the course of a busy life he found time to organize and work the Old Comrades’ Association in connection with his old Regiment. He trained annually with the Territorials, and at the outbreak of War was attached to the Westminster Dragoons. He worked hard to help get them ready, but, at the request of the Colonel then Commanding the 5th Dragoon Guards, he rejoined his old Regiment, and left for France on August 15th, 1914.
He was in the Retreat from Mons and in the advance to the Marne. On his 38th birthday, September 8th, 1914, he was given his Company Squadron. On that day a half Squadron of the 5th Dragoon Guards was acting as advanced guard, and had reached the bank of the Petit Morin River, near Sablonnières, when it came under a heavy fire. One of his Sergeants was wounded, and Captain Norwood managed to reach him and bind him up. He was trying to reach the horses, left in the rear, in order to send for a doctor, when he was shot and died instantly. Age 38.
He married, in 1904, Lilian, only daughter of Major-General Sir Edwin Collen, K.C.I.L., C.B., and left two sons and one daughter.
Source : Memorials Of Rugbeians Who Fell In The Great War Vol 1