Lieutenant Colonel Ferdinand Simeon Le Quesne VC RAMC Plaque unveiled Sat 2nd September 2023

Sep 20, 2023

 


CHIS erected a commemorative plaque at 6, Victoria Square, Clifton, to honour Lieutenant Colonel Ferdinand Simeon Le Quesne VC, RAMC, who lived there, on Saturday 2nd September 2023 at 11am.

On the day, the sun was shining and the rubbish bins and recycling boxes were quickly relocated away from the building. Over fifty people attended this event, some in ceremonial uniform and others wearing personal or family medals. The attendees included ex-RAMCs, ex-Army Reservists, central & local RAMC Association (with standard) members and Military Historians. We had attendees from Portishead, Keynsham, Bath, Warminster, Edinburgh and Jersey, as well from many parts of Bristol. The RAMC was well represented by Colonel Commandant Brigadier CJR (Chris) Parker CBE and Captain George Harrill from RAMC 243 (Wessex) Field Hospital, Keynsham.

Brian Worthington, the chairman of CHIS, as master of ceremonies, said a few words about the activities of CHIS and the event. Christopher Ackroyd FRCS gave a short talk on the record of the action for which Ferdinand Simeon Le Quesne received the VC. Then Robert Clayton FRCS, the great, great nephew of Ferdinand, spoke about family memories.

The Lord-Lieutenant of the County and City of Bristol Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ dedicated the plaque, followed by a short prayer from the Rev James Patrick of Clifton Cathedral. Bugler Andrew Lee from the Portishead Town Band sounded the ‘Last Post’, as Bob Lawrence from the RAMC Association lowered the standard of the Bristol Branch of the RAMC Association. After one minute’s silence Reveille was sounded and the standard was raised. Lastly Robert Clayton FRCS spoke the Laurence Binyon lines:

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them”.

A reception was then held at the home and garden of Christopher and Alexandra Ackroyd, where there was an additional presentation from Christopher about the history of the VC.

Paul Main

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