Ratcliffe VC Machine Gun Outing To Memorial Stone Ceremony

This Day In History

1799 82nd Regiment (later 2nd South Lancashires) disembarks at Gravesend on return from Santo Domingo (now the Dominican Republic). The strength was just 24 "sergeants and drummers." When it sailed outbound from Gibraltar just 3 years and 7 months earlier it had 844 officers and men. The Regiment's total loss in Santo Domingo was 22 officers (the exact number which had embarked at Gibraltar) and 1000 men. Such was the murderous effect of fever and disease in the Caribbean islands, which accounted for far more casualties than the French ever did.

Ratcliffe VC Machine Gun Outing To Memorial Stone Ceremony

Published 18/06/2017 | By RogerG

On 14 June 2017 Museum Trustees Roger Goodwin, David Rogan and Gareth Wright took the Ratcliffe VC Machine Gun to the ceremony in Liverpool to unveil the memorial pavement to William (Billy) Ratcliffe VC – the Docker VC. It was 100 years to the day since Billy captured the German gun in the action for which he was awarded the VC. Members of his family were present to see him honoured. It was the first time the Ratcliffe Machine Gun had left the Museum since its arrival over 30 years ago. Pictures by Chris Vere.

Lord Mayor of Liverpool unveils the Ratcliffe Memorial Stone at Liverpool Parish Church

The Ratcliffe Memorial Stone

The Museum’s party with the Ratcliffe Machine Gun

Trustee Roger Goodwin presents the Ratcliffe VC machine gun

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