Frank William Baxter VC

Name: Frank William Baxter

Conflict: Matabeleland Rebellion

Gazetted: May 7, 1897 and January 15, 1907 *

Service: Bulawayo Field Force, South Africa

Place/date of birth: Woolwich, London/December 29, 1869

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Trooper

Date of bravery: April 22, 1896

London Gazette citations:

May 7, 1897:

Trooper Frank William Baxter, of the Buluwayo Field Force, on account of his gallant conduct in having, on the 22nd April, 1896, dismounted and given up his horse to a wounded comrade, Corporal Wiseman, who was being closely pursued by an overwhelming force of the enemy, would have been recommended to Her Majesty for the Victoria Cross had he survived.

January 15, 1907 [joint citation]:

The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the Decoration of the Victoria Cross being delivered to the representatives of the undermentioned Officers and men who fell in the performance of acts of valour, and with reference to whom it was notified in the London Gazette that they would have been recommended to Her late Majesty for the Victoria Cross had they survived:—

[repeats above citation]

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Mashonaland, Rhodesia /April 22, 1896

Grave/memorials: Bulawayo Town Cemetery, Zimbabwe; Matabeleland Rebellion Memorial, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Glendining’s, London, 1990

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum

* Baxter’s courage was initially noted in the London Gazette at a time when it was not permitted to be awarded the VC posthumously. He was awarded the VC in 1907 after an amendment of the rules.