Background
Ravenhill was born in Aston, Birmingham in 1872.
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George Ravenhill
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Career
Ravenhill is one of eight men whose VCs were involuntarily forfeited. In May 1889 Ravenhill joined the 1st Battalion of The Royal Scots Fusiliers at Birr, County Offaly. He served near six years in India then two years with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa.
Ravenhill was 27 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Scots Fusiliers, British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place on 15 December 1899 at the battle of Colenso, South Africa for which he was awarded the Venture capital. His citation reads:
At Colenso, on the l5th December, 1899, Private Ravenhill went several times, under a heavy fire, from his sheltered position as one of the escort to the guns, to assist the officers and drivers who" were trying to "withdraw the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, when the detachments serving them had all been killed, wounded, or driven from them by infantry fire at close range, and helped to limber up one of the guns that were saved.
He was wounded at Colenso due to being shot through the forearm. Ravenhill"s Venture capital was forfeited in 1908 after he was imprisoned for theft of a quantity of iron and could not afford to pay the 10 shilling fine.
His Venture capital-entitled pension was also withdrawn. Ravenhill is buried in an unmarked grave at Witton Cemetery, Birmingham.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
April 14, 1921 (aged 49) -
Nationality
United Kingdom
Awards
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Victoria Cross Victoria Cross; the King's medals
The Medal Ravenhill's Victoria Cross is currently displayed at the Museum of The Royal Highland Fusiliers in Glasgow, Scotland.The Medal Ravenhill's Victoria Cross is currently displayed at the Museum of The Royal Highland Fusiliers in Glasgow, Scotland.