World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Brynsion Terrace, England, he served as a Chief Petty Officer, Drake Battalion, Royal Naval Division. In action at Pronville, France, on September 2, 1918, during an advance, a portion of his company became disorganized by heavy enemy machine gun fire. Collecting what men were available Chief Petty Officer Prowse led them against this strong point, capturing it together with twenty-three prisoners and five machine guns. Later, he took a patrol forward in face of much enemy opposition, and established it on important high ground. On another occasion he attacked single-handed an ammunition limber which was trying to recover ammunition, killing three men who accompanied it and capturing the limber. Two days later covering the advance of his company with a Lewis gun section, Chief Petty Officer Prowse located two machine gun positions in a concrete emplacement, which were holding up the advance of the battalion. He rushed forward with a small party, attacked and captured these posts, killing six enemy, taking thirteen prisoners and two machine guns. He was the only survivor of the party, but by his action he enabled the battalion on the right to push forward without further machine gun fire from the village. He was later killed in action near Arleux, France and his remains were not recovered. For these gallantries in the face of the enemy, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross presented to wife by King George V in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, on July 17, 1919.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Brynsion Terrace, England, he served as a Chief Petty Officer, Drake Battalion, Royal Naval Division. In action at Pronville, France, on September 2, 1918, during an advance, a portion of his company became disorganized by heavy enemy machine gun fire. Collecting what men were available Chief Petty Officer Prowse led them against this strong point, capturing it together with twenty-three prisoners and five machine guns. Later, he took a patrol forward in face of much enemy opposition, and established it on important high ground. On another occasion he attacked single-handed an ammunition limber which was trying to recover ammunition, killing three men who accompanied it and capturing the limber. Two days later covering the advance of his company with a Lewis gun section, Chief Petty Officer Prowse located two machine gun positions in a concrete emplacement, which were holding up the advance of the battalion. He rushed forward with a small party, attacked and captured these posts, killing six enemy, taking thirteen prisoners and two machine guns. He was the only survivor of the party, but by his action he enabled the battalion on the right to push forward without further machine gun fire from the village. He was later killed in action near Arleux, France and his remains were not recovered. For these gallantries in the face of the enemy, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross presented to wife by King George V in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, on July 17, 1919.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE
CHIEF P.O.
V.C. PROWSE G. DCM
Gravesite Details
Final resting place unknown. Name listed on the Memorial
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