Raymond de Montmorency explained

Raymond de Montmorency should not be confused with Reymond de Montmorency.

The Honourable
Raymond de Montmorency
Birth Date:5 February 1867
Death Date:23 February 1900 (aged 33)
Birth Place:Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Placeofburial:Molteno Cemetery, near Dordrecht
Serviceyears:1887–1900
Rank:Captain
Branch: British Army
Unit:Lincolnshire Regiment
21st Lancers
Battles:Mahdist War
Second Boer War
Awards:Victoria Cross

The Honourable Raymond Harvey Lodge Joseph de Montmorency VC (5 February 1867 – 23 February 1900) was a British recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. (Also considered a Canadian recipient due to his place of birth).

Early life career

De Montmorency was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the eldest son and heir of Major-General Reymond de Montmorency, 3rd Viscount Frankfort de Montmorency, Irish representative peer, who served in the Crimean War, the Indian Rebellion, Abyssinia and the Mahdist War, and his wife Rachel Mary Lumley Godolphin Michel, daughter of Field Marshal Sir John Michel.

He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Lincolnshire Regiment on 14 September 1887, and transferred to the 21st Lancers as he was promoted to lieutenant on 6 November 1889.[1]

Details of Victoria Cross

De Montmorency was 31 years old, and a lieutenant in the 21st Lancers (Empress of India's), British Army during the Sudan Campaign when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:

On 2 September 1898 at the Battle of Omdurman, Sudan, after the charge, Lieutenant de Montmorency returned to help an officer who was lying surrounded by a great many Dervishes. He drove the Dervishes off and finding that the officer was dead, put the body on his horse which then broke away. Captain Paul Aloysius Kenna and a corporal then came to his assistance and he was able to rejoin his regiment. His citation read:

Later military career

De Montmorency was promoted to the rank of captain on 2 August 1899, having in the previous October been despatched on special service to South Africa, where he raised and commanded a special body of scouts, Montmorency's Scouts. Following the outbreak of the Second Boer War in October 1899, the Scouts were involved in fighting in Cape Colony. He was killed in action at the Battle of Stormberg, Dordrecht, Cape Colony, on 23 February 1900.[2] [3]

Notes and References

  1. The War - Casualties. 26 February 1900 . 10 . 36075.
  2. http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27282/pages/838 London Gazette
  3. [Terry Brighton|Brighton, Terry]