World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Manchester, England, he served as a Guardsman in the 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards, Armor Division, British Army. On April 21, 1945, Guardsman Charlton was co-driver in one tank of a troop which, with a platoon of infantry, seized the village of Wistedt, Germany. Suddenly the enemy attacked this position in great strength, all the tanks, including Guardsman Charlton’s, were hit and the infantry were hard pressed of being over-run. Guardsman Charlton decided to counter-attack the enemy on his own and halted the leading enemy company, inflicting heavy casualties on them. He mounted his machine gun on a nearby fence, which he used to support his wounded left arm, was twice more twice wounded and suffering from loss of blood. He still continued to inflict casualties on the enemy, until finally, he was hit for the third time, collapsed and later died of his wounds in enemy hands. For most prestigious gallantry, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross on May 2, 1946 and he was the very last Victoria Cross recipient British soldier in the European theatre of World War II.
World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Manchester, England, he served as a Guardsman in the 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards, Armor Division, British Army. On April 21, 1945, Guardsman Charlton was co-driver in one tank of a troop which, with a platoon of infantry, seized the village of Wistedt, Germany. Suddenly the enemy attacked this position in great strength, all the tanks, including Guardsman Charlton’s, were hit and the infantry were hard pressed of being over-run. Guardsman Charlton decided to counter-attack the enemy on his own and halted the leading enemy company, inflicting heavy casualties on them. He mounted his machine gun on a nearby fence, which he used to support his wounded left arm, was twice more twice wounded and suffering from loss of blood. He still continued to inflict casualties on the enemy, until finally, he was hit for the third time, collapsed and later died of his wounds in enemy hands. For most prestigious gallantry, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross on May 2, 1946 and he was the very last Victoria Cross recipient British soldier in the European theatre of World War II.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
Greater Love Hath No Man Than That He Lay Down His Life For Others
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