Douglas Walter Belcher

Douglas Walter Belcher VC
Born	15 July 1889 Surbiton, Surrey
Died	Claygate, Surrey
Buried	Holy Trinity Churchyard, Claygate
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1914 - 1922, 1939 - 1940
Rank	Captain
Unit	London Regiment King's Royal Rifle Corps Royal Army Pay Corps
Battles/wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Victoria Cross

Douglas Walter Belcher VC (15 July 1889 – 3 June 1953) was an English 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.

Personal information

Belcher was born on 15 July 1889 in Surbiton, then in Surrey, now in Greater London, and was educated at Tiffin School in Kingston upon Thames until 1903. Following his death on 3 June 1953, aged 63, he was buried at Holy Trinity Churchyard, Claygate.

Award of the Victoria Cross

Belcher was a lance-sergeant in the 1/5th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (The London Rifle Brigade), British Army, during the First World War, when the deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. He was 25 years old.

On 13 May 1915, south of the Wieltje-St. Julien Road, Belgium, Belcher was in charge of a portion of an advanced breastwork during continuous bombardment by the enemy. With very few men, Belcher elected to remain and try to hold his position after the troops near him had been withdrawn, and with great skill he succeeded in his objective, opening rapid fire on the enemy, who were only 150-200 yards away, whenever he saw them collecting for an attack. This bold action prevented the enemy breaking through and averted an attack on the flank of one of our divisions.

The Medal

His medal is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets Museum in Winchester.

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• VCs of the First World War - The Western Front 1915 (Peter F. Batchelor & Christopher Matson, 1999)