Twenty-three members of The Regiment have been awarded the Victoria Cross. They are representative of all ranks and battalions, from Private soldier to Lieutenant Colonel – Regular, Territorial and Wartime.

ELSTOB, WILFRITH.
 

Lieutenant Colonel Commanding 16^th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment.
 

London Gazetted on 9^th June 1919.
 

Born on at 8^th September, 1888 at Chichester, Sussex.
 

Killed in action on 21^st March 1918 near St Quentin, France – no known grave.
 

Memorial at Pozieres Memorial, France and also at All Saints Church, Siddington, Cheshire.

 

Digest of Citation reads:
 

On 21^st March 1918 at the Manchester Redoubt, near St Quentin, France, Lieutenant Colonel Elstob encouraged his men during the preliminary bombardment, giving personal support with revolver, rifle and bombs. Single-handed, he repulsed a bombing assault and later when ammunition was required, made several journeys under heavy fire to replenish the supply. By means of a buried cable he sent a message to his brigade commander that the Manchesters would hold the position to the last, and although he was wounded twice he inspired his men to do this until he was killed, in the final assault.