Ratcliffe VC Machine Gun Outing To Memorial Stone Ceremony

This Day In History

1762 British force which includes the 40^th Regiment (later 1^st South Lancashires) invades the French island of Martinique in the West Indies. The soldiers are ordered to land with three days provisions, a canteen of grog each, and their blankets.

1809 Battle of Corunna. After a long, demoralising and dreadful retreat from central Spain, the British army is forced to turn and fight to gain time for the Navy to come to its rescue. The 2nd / 81st (later 2nd Loyals) have a desperate, 2-hour fight on the right flank, running out of ammunition and losing over 160 killed and wounded before the French are repelled. 2nd/59th Foot (later 2nd East Lancashires) are sent to their aid and lose 60 killed and wounded, but their Grenadier and 1st Companies are the last British troops to disengage from the enemy. The army commander, Sir John Moore, is fatally wounded.

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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