John Grimshaw (VC) - Revision history

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	Grimshaw was 22 years old, and a [[Lance-Corporal]] signaller in C Company of the 1st Battalion, when he took part in the [[Landing at Cape Helles\|landing on W Beach]] on 25 April 1915 west of Cape Helles, [[Gallipoli]], [[Turkey]], at the opening of the [[Battle of Gallipoli]]. His job was to maintain communications between the units which had landed and the headquarters for the landing on [[HMS Euryalus (1901)\|HMS ''Euryalus'']].{{cn\|date=May 2021}} During the landing, the three companies and the Headquarters of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, were met by a very heavy and effective fire from the company of Ottoman Empire troops defending the beach. This caused 533 casualties out of the 950 men who attempted to land. The survivors, however, rushed up and cut the wire entanglements notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained.<ref>{{London Gazette\|issue= 29985\|date=15 March 1917 \|page=2619\|supp=y}}</ref>		Grimshaw was 22 years old, and a [[Lance-Corporal]] signaller in C Company of the 1st Battalion, when he took part in the [[Landing at Cape Helles\|landing on W Beach]] on 25 April 1915 west of Cape Helles, [[Gallipoli]], [[Turkey]], at the opening of the [[Battle of Gallipoli]]. His job was to maintain communications between the units which had landed and the headquarters for the landing on [[HMS Euryalus (1901)\|HMS ''Euryalus'']].{{cn\|date=May 2021}} During the landing, the three companies and the Headquarters of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, were met by a very heavy and effective fire from the company of Ottoman Empire troops defending the beach. This caused 533 casualties out of the 950 men who attempted to land. The survivors, however, rushed up and cut the wire entanglements notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained.<ref>{{London Gazette\|issue= 29985\|date=15 March 1917 \|page=2619\|supp=y}}</ref>

	Grimshaw's own account said that {{quote\|In boats we got within 200 or 300 yards from the shore when the Turks opened a terrible fire. Sailors were shot dead at their oars. With rifles held over our heads we struggled through the barbed wire in the water to the beach and fought a way to the foot of the cliffs leaving the biggest part of our men dead and wounded.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \| title = 6 VCs before breakfast \| work = Gallipoli Association \|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070305115542/http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \|archivedate = 5 March ~~2022~~}}</ref>}} Grimshaw was awarded a [[Distinguished Conduct Medal]] for his actions during the landing.{{cn\|date=May 2021}}		Grimshaw's own account said that {{quote\|In boats we got within 200 or 300 yards from the shore when the Turks opened a terrible fire. Sailors were shot dead at their oars. With rifles held over our heads we struggled through the barbed wire in the water to the beach and fought a way to the foot of the cliffs leaving the biggest part of our men dead and wounded.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \| title = 6 VCs before breakfast \| work = Gallipoli Association \|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070305115542/http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \|archivedate = 5 March 2007}}</ref>}} Grimshaw was awarded a [[Distinguished Conduct Medal]] for his actions during the landing.{{cn\|date=May 2021}}

	Grimshaw, along with [[Cuthbert Bromley]], [[William Kenealy]], [[Alfred Joseph Richards]], [[Frank Edward Stubbs]] and [[Richard Raymond Willis]] had originally been nominated for a Victoria Cross by Major Bishop, the battalion's commanding officer, after consulting "the officers who happened to be with him at the time and who did not include either of the officers awarded the Cross". The recommendation endorsed by Hunter-Weston and Hamilton but was not proceeded with by the War Office.<ref>{{cite web \| title=The Victoria Cross awarded to Sergeant Alfred Richards, 1 Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers, has been sold at auction by Spink of London for a Hammer Price of £110,000 (Retrieved from Google cache) \| date = 21 July 2005 \| url=http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbrichar.htm \|accessdate=30 September 2006 \| archivedate = 25 July 2006 \|archiveurl=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:pet4B_G7vjkJ:www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbrichar.htm }}</ref>		Grimshaw, along with [[Cuthbert Bromley]], [[William Kenealy]], [[Alfred Joseph Richards]], [[Frank Edward Stubbs]] and [[Richard Raymond Willis]] had originally been nominated for a Victoria Cross by Major Bishop, the battalion's commanding officer, after consulting "the officers who happened to be with him at the time and who did not include either of the officers awarded the Cross". The recommendation endorsed by Hunter-Weston and Hamilton but was not proceeded with by the War Office.<ref>{{cite web \| title=The Victoria Cross awarded to Sergeant Alfred Richards, 1 Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers, has been sold at auction by Spink of London for a Hammer Price of £110,000 (Retrieved from Google cache) \| date = 21 July 2005 \| url=http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbrichar.htm \|accessdate=30 September 2006 \| archivedate = 25 July 2006 \|archiveurl=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:pet4B_G7vjkJ:www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbrichar.htm }}</ref>
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	In August, Hunter-Weston made a second recommendation for three of the men; under the original 1856 warrant establishing the award up to 4 VCs could be awarded as a result of balloting the units involved; and Keneally, Richards and Willis, were awarded the medal having been selected by the surviving privates, NCOs and officers respectively.{{cn\|date=May 2021}}		In August, Hunter-Weston made a second recommendation for three of the men; under the original 1856 warrant establishing the award up to 4 VCs could be awarded as a result of balloting the units involved; and Keneally, Richards and Willis, were awarded the medal having been selected by the surviving privates, NCOs and officers respectively.{{cn\|date=May 2021}}

	However, Brigadier Owen Wolley-Dod, who was a member of Hunter-Weston's general staff and a Lancashire Fusilier himself, and who had landed on the beach shortly after noon continued pressing for more awards to be made. Eventually the other three men, including Grimshaw, were finally awarded the medal. The awards were published in the ''London Gazette'' on 13 March 1917,<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \| title = 6 VCs before breakfast (image of front page of Gazette. The ''Gazette'' was published on a Tuesday and contained announcements to be made on Thursday. Some accounts therefore give the official date of the citation, Thursday 15 March)\| work = Gallipoli Association \|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070305115542/http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \|archivedate = 5 March ~~2022~~}}</ref> with an identical citation to the original three men. Grimshaw had his DCM cancelled and replaced with a Victoria Cross. The courage of the six men awarded the medal as a result of the landing was hailed in the Press as "6 VCs before breakfast".{{cn\|date=May 2021}}		However, Brigadier Owen Wolley-Dod, who was a member of Hunter-Weston's general staff and a Lancashire Fusilier himself, and who had landed on the beach shortly after noon continued pressing for more awards to be made. Eventually the other three men, including Grimshaw, were finally awarded the medal. The awards were published in the ''London Gazette'' on 13 March 1917,<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \| title = 6 VCs before breakfast (image of front page of Gazette. The ''Gazette'' was published on a Tuesday and contained announcements to be made on Thursday. Some accounts therefore give the official date of the citation, Thursday 15 March)\| work = Gallipoli Association \|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070305115542/http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \|archivedate = 5 March 2007}}</ref> with an identical citation to the original three men. Grimshaw had his DCM cancelled and replaced with a Victoria Cross. The courage of the six men awarded the medal as a result of the landing was hailed in the Press as "6 VCs before breakfast".{{cn\|date=May 2021}}

	Meanwhile, Grimshaw had been evacuated from Gallipoli suffering from [[frostbite]] and, in 1916, posted to Hull as a rifle instructor. Whilst at Hull, he married Margaret Stout, with whom he later had two children.{{cn\|date=May 2021}} He was subsequently sent with his battalion to France where, as a [[Sergeant]], he was commissioned in 1917. In 1918 he was posted to the First Battalion of the [[75th Carnatic Infantry]] in India, and promoted to [[Lieutenant]], before rejoining the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1920 and retiring in 1921. In 1934 he was appointed the Army's Chief Recruiting Officer in the [[Northumbria]]n Area and promoted to [[Lieutenant-Colonel]]; he later held the same appointment in [[East Anglia]].<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.diggerhistory2.info/graveyards/pages/others/brit-vc1.htm#grimshaw \| work=Digger History \| title=British VC Winners, Gallipoli Campaign: A to J \| access-date=29 September 2006 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902005421/http://www.diggerhistory2.info/graveyards/pages/others/brit-vc1.htm#grimshaw \| archive-date=2 September 2006 \| url-status=dead }}</ref> He died on 20 July 1980 at [[Isleworth]], London, and was cremated at the South West London Crematorium in [[Hanwell]], Middlesex.{{cn\|date=May 2021}}		Meanwhile, Grimshaw had been evacuated from Gallipoli suffering from [[frostbite]] and, in 1916, posted to Hull as a rifle instructor. Whilst at Hull, he married Margaret Stout, with whom he later had two children.{{cn\|date=May 2021}} He was subsequently sent with his battalion to France where, as a [[Sergeant]], he was commissioned in 1917. In 1918 he was posted to the First Battalion of the [[75th Carnatic Infantry]] in India, and promoted to [[Lieutenant]], before rejoining the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1920 and retiring in 1921. In 1934 he was appointed the Army's Chief Recruiting Officer in the [[Northumbria]]n Area and promoted to [[Lieutenant-Colonel]]; he later held the same appointment in [[East Anglia]].<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.diggerhistory2.info/graveyards/pages/others/brit-vc1.htm#grimshaw \| work=Digger History \| title=British VC Winners, Gallipoli Campaign: A to J \| access-date=29 September 2006 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902005421/http://www.diggerhistory2.info/graveyards/pages/others/brit-vc1.htm#grimshaw \| archive-date=2 September 2006 \| url-status=dead }}</ref> He died on 20 July 1980 at [[Isleworth]], London, and was cremated at the South West London Crematorium in [[Hanwell]], Middlesex.{{cn\|date=May 2021}}

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← Older revision		Revision as of 17:11, 15 December 2022
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	\|unit=[[The Lancashire Fusiliers]]		\|unit=[[The Lancashire Fusiliers]]
	\|battles= [[World War I]]		\|battles= [[World War I]]
	\|awards= [[File:Victoria Cross ~~(UK)~~ ribbon.~~png~~\|30px]] [[Victoria Cross]]		\|awards= [[File:UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg\|30px]] [[Victoria Cross]]
	\|laterwork=		\|laterwork=
	}}		}}
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	Grimshaw was 22 years old, and a [[Lance-Corporal]] signaller in C Company of the 1st Battalion, when he took part in the [[Landing at Cape Helles\|landing on W Beach]] on 25 April 1915 west of Cape Helles, [[Gallipoli]], [[Turkey]], at the opening of the [[Battle of Gallipoli]]. His job was to maintain communications between the units which had landed and the headquarters for the landing on [[HMS Euryalus (1901)\|HMS ''Euryalus'']].{{cn\|date=May 2021}} During the landing, the three companies and the Headquarters of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, were met by a very heavy and effective fire from the company of Ottoman Empire troops defending the beach. This caused 533 casualties out of the 950 men who attempted to land. The survivors, however, rushed up and cut the wire entanglements notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained.<ref>{{London Gazette\|issue= 29985\|date=15 March 1917 \|page=2619\|supp=y}}</ref>		Grimshaw was 22 years old, and a [[Lance-Corporal]] signaller in C Company of the 1st Battalion, when he took part in the [[Landing at Cape Helles\|landing on W Beach]] on 25 April 1915 west of Cape Helles, [[Gallipoli]], [[Turkey]], at the opening of the [[Battle of Gallipoli]]. His job was to maintain communications between the units which had landed and the headquarters for the landing on [[HMS Euryalus (1901)\|HMS ''Euryalus'']].{{cn\|date=May 2021}} During the landing, the three companies and the Headquarters of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, were met by a very heavy and effective fire from the company of Ottoman Empire troops defending the beach. This caused 533 casualties out of the 950 men who attempted to land. The survivors, however, rushed up and cut the wire entanglements notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained.<ref>{{London Gazette\|issue= 29985\|date=15 March 1917 \|page=2619\|supp=y}}</ref>

	Grimshaw's own account said that {{quote\|In boats we got within 200 or 300 yards from the shore when the Turks opened a terrible fire. Sailors were shot dead at their oars. With rifles held over our heads we struggled through the barbed wire in the water to the beach and fought a way to the foot of the cliffs leaving the biggest part of our men dead and wounded.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \| title = 6 VCs before breakfast \| work = Gallipoli Association \|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070305115542/http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \|archivedate = 5 March ~~2007~~}}</ref>}} Grimshaw was awarded a [[Distinguished Conduct Medal]] for his actions during the landing.{{cn\|date=May 2021}}		Grimshaw's own account said that {{quote\|In boats we got within 200 or 300 yards from the shore when the Turks opened a terrible fire. Sailors were shot dead at their oars. With rifles held over our heads we struggled through the barbed wire in the water to the beach and fought a way to the foot of the cliffs leaving the biggest part of our men dead and wounded.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \| title = 6 VCs before breakfast \| work = Gallipoli Association \|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070305115542/http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \|archivedate = 5 March 2022}}</ref>}} Grimshaw was awarded a [[Distinguished Conduct Medal]] for his actions during the landing.{{cn\|date=May 2021}}

	Grimshaw, along with [[Cuthbert Bromley]], [[William Kenealy]], [[Alfred Joseph Richards]], [[Frank Edward Stubbs]] and [[Richard Raymond Willis]] had originally been nominated for a Victoria Cross by Major Bishop, the battalion's commanding officer, after consulting "the officers who happened to be with him at the time and who did not include either of the officers awarded the Cross". The recommendation endorsed by Hunter-Weston and Hamilton but was not proceeded with by the War Office.<ref>{{cite web \| title=The Victoria Cross awarded to Sergeant Alfred Richards, 1 Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers, has been sold at auction by Spink of London for a Hammer Price of £110,000 (Retrieved from Google cache) \| date = 21 July 2005 \| url=http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbrichar.htm \|accessdate=30 September 2006 \| archivedate = 25 July 2006 \|archiveurl=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:pet4B_G7vjkJ:www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbrichar.htm }}</ref>		Grimshaw, along with [[Cuthbert Bromley]], [[William Kenealy]], [[Alfred Joseph Richards]], [[Frank Edward Stubbs]] and [[Richard Raymond Willis]] had originally been nominated for a Victoria Cross by Major Bishop, the battalion's commanding officer, after consulting "the officers who happened to be with him at the time and who did not include either of the officers awarded the Cross". The recommendation endorsed by Hunter-Weston and Hamilton but was not proceeded with by the War Office.<ref>{{cite web \| title=The Victoria Cross awarded to Sergeant Alfred Richards, 1 Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers, has been sold at auction by Spink of London for a Hammer Price of £110,000 (Retrieved from Google cache) \| date = 21 July 2005 \| url=http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbrichar.htm \|accessdate=30 September 2006 \| archivedate = 25 July 2006 \|archiveurl=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:pet4B_G7vjkJ:www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbrichar.htm }}</ref>
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	In August, Hunter-Weston made a second recommendation for three of the men; under the original 1856 warrant establishing the award up to 4 VCs could be awarded as a result of balloting the units involved; and Keneally, Richards and Willis, were awarded the medal having been selected by the surviving privates, NCOs and officers respectively.{{cn\|date=May 2021}}		In August, Hunter-Weston made a second recommendation for three of the men; under the original 1856 warrant establishing the award up to 4 VCs could be awarded as a result of balloting the units involved; and Keneally, Richards and Willis, were awarded the medal having been selected by the surviving privates, NCOs and officers respectively.{{cn\|date=May 2021}}

	However, Brigadier Owen Wolley-Dod, who was a member of Hunter-Weston's general staff and a Lancashire Fusilier himself, and who had landed on the beach shortly after noon continued pressing for more awards to be made. Eventually the other three men, including Grimshaw, were finally awarded the medal. The awards were published in the ''London Gazette'' on 13 March 1917,<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \| title = 6 VCs before breakfast (image of front page of Gazette. The ''Gazette'' was published on a Tuesday and contained announcements to be made on Thursday. Some accounts therefore give the official date of the citation, Thursday 15 March)\| work = Gallipoli Association \|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070305115542/http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \|archivedate = 5 March ~~2007~~}}</ref> with an identical citation to the original three men. Grimshaw had his DCM cancelled and replaced with a Victoria Cross. The courage of the six men awarded the medal as a result of the landing was hailed in the Press as "6 VCs before breakfast".{{cn\|date=May 2021}}		However, Brigadier Owen Wolley-Dod, who was a member of Hunter-Weston's general staff and a Lancashire Fusilier himself, and who had landed on the beach shortly after noon continued pressing for more awards to be made. Eventually the other three men, including Grimshaw, were finally awarded the medal. The awards were published in the ''London Gazette'' on 13 March 1917,<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \| title = 6 VCs before breakfast (image of front page of Gazette. The ''Gazette'' was published on a Tuesday and contained announcements to be made on Thursday. Some accounts therefore give the official date of the citation, Thursday 15 March)\| work = Gallipoli Association \|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070305115542/http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm \|archivedate = 5 March 2022}}</ref> with an identical citation to the original three men. Grimshaw had his DCM cancelled and replaced with a Victoria Cross. The courage of the six men awarded the medal as a result of the landing was hailed in the Press as "6 VCs before breakfast".{{cn\|date=May 2021}}

	Meanwhile, Grimshaw had been evacuated from Gallipoli suffering from [[frostbite]] and, in 1916, posted to Hull as a rifle instructor. Whilst at Hull, he married Margaret Stout, with whom he later had two children.{{cn\|date=May 2021}} He was subsequently sent with his battalion to France where, as a [[Sergeant]], he was commissioned in 1917. In 1918 he was posted to the First Battalion of the [[75th Carnatic Infantry]] in India, and promoted to [[Lieutenant]], before rejoining the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1920 and retiring in 1921. In 1934 he was appointed the Army's Chief Recruiting Officer in the [[Northumbria]]n Area and promoted to [[Lieutenant-Colonel]]; he later held the same appointment in [[East Anglia]].<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.diggerhistory2.info/graveyards/pages/others/brit-vc1.htm#grimshaw \| work=Digger History \| title=British VC Winners, Gallipoli Campaign: A to J \| access-date=29 September 2006 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902005421/http://www.diggerhistory2.info/graveyards/pages/others/brit-vc1.htm#grimshaw \| archive-date=2 September 2006 \| url-status=dead }}</ref> He died on 20 July 1980 at [[Isleworth]], London, and was cremated at the South West London Crematorium in [[Hanwell]], Middlesex.{{cn\|date=May 2021}}		Meanwhile, Grimshaw had been evacuated from Gallipoli suffering from [[frostbite]] and, in 1916, posted to Hull as a rifle instructor. Whilst at Hull, he married Margaret Stout, with whom he later had two children.{{cn\|date=May 2021}} He was subsequently sent with his battalion to France where, as a [[Sergeant]], he was commissioned in 1917. In 1918 he was posted to the First Battalion of the [[75th Carnatic Infantry]] in India, and promoted to [[Lieutenant]], before rejoining the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1920 and retiring in 1921. In 1934 he was appointed the Army's Chief Recruiting Officer in the [[Northumbria]]n Area and promoted to [[Lieutenant-Colonel]]; he later held the same appointment in [[East Anglia]].<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.diggerhistory2.info/graveyards/pages/others/brit-vc1.htm#grimshaw \| work=Digger History \| title=British VC Winners, Gallipoli Campaign: A to J \| access-date=29 September 2006 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902005421/http://www.diggerhistory2.info/graveyards/pages/others/brit-vc1.htm#grimshaw \| archive-date=2 September 2006 \| url-status=dead }}</ref> He died on 20 July 1980 at [[Isleworth]], London, and was cremated at the South West London Crematorium in [[Hanwell]], Middlesex.{{cn\|date=May 2021}}

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← Older revision		Revision as of 12:23, 12 January 2022
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	[[Category:1980 deaths]]		[[Category:1980 deaths]]
	[[Category:British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross]]		[[Category:British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
			[[Category:Military personnel from Lancashire]]

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{{Short description|English Victoria Cross recipient (1893-1980)}}{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
|name=John Elisha Grimshaw
|birth_date=20 January 1893
|death_date= 20 July 1980 (age 87)
|birth_place= [[Abram, Greater Manchester|Abram, Lancashire]], England
|death_place=[[Isleworth]], [[Middlesex]], England
|placeofburial=
|image= John Elisha Grimshaw VC.jpg
|caption=
|nickname=
|allegiance={{UK}}
|serviceyears=1912 - 1934
|rank=[[Lieutenant-Colonel]]
|branch=[[File:Flag of the British Army.svg|23px]] [[British Army]]<br/>[[British Indian Army]]
|commands=
|unit=[[The Lancashire Fusiliers]]
|battles= [[World War I]]
|awards= [[File:Victoria Cross (UK) ribbon.png|30px]] [[Victoria Cross]]
|laterwork=
}}
Lieutenant-Colonel '''John Elisha Grimshaw''' [[Victoria Cross|VC]] (20 January 1893 – 20 July 1980) was an English recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]], the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces.

==Early life==
John Elisha Grimshaw was descended from one of the lines of Grimshaws at [[Abram, Greater Manchester|Abram, Lancashire]], He was born in 1893 and was employed as a carpenter at Cross & Tetley's Collieries in the [[Wigan]] coalfield before enlisting in the [[Lancashire Fusiliers]], [[British Army]], in August 1912. He served with his battalion in India before the outbreak of the First World War.{{cn|date=May 2021}}

==Military service==
Grimshaw was 22 years old, and a [[Lance-Corporal]] signaller in C Company of the 1st Battalion, when he took part in the [[Landing at Cape Helles|landing on W Beach]] on 25 April 1915 west of Cape Helles, [[Gallipoli]], [[Turkey]], at the opening of the [[Battle of Gallipoli]]. His job was to maintain communications between the units which had landed and the headquarters for the landing on [[HMS Euryalus (1901)|HMS ''Euryalus'']].{{cn|date=May 2021}} During the landing, the three companies and the Headquarters of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, were met by a very heavy and effective fire from the company of Ottoman Empire troops defending the beach. This caused 533 casualties out of the 950 men who attempted to land. The survivors, however, rushed up and cut the wire entanglements notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue= 29985|date=15 March 1917 |page=2619|supp=y}}</ref>

Grimshaw's own account said that {{quote|In boats we got within 200 or 300 yards from the shore when the Turks opened a terrible fire. Sailors were shot dead at their oars. With rifles held over our heads we struggled through the barbed wire in the water to the beach and fought a way to the foot of the cliffs leaving the biggest part of our men dead and wounded.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm | title = 6 VCs before breakfast | work = Gallipoli Association |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070305115542/http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm |archivedate = 5 March 2007}}</ref>}} Grimshaw was awarded a [[Distinguished Conduct Medal]] for his actions during the landing.{{cn|date=May 2021}}

Grimshaw, along with [[Cuthbert Bromley]], [[William Kenealy]], [[Alfred Joseph Richards]], [[Frank Edward Stubbs]] and [[Richard Raymond Willis]] had originally been nominated for a Victoria Cross by Major Bishop, the battalion's commanding officer, after consulting "the officers who happened to be with him at the time and who did not include either of the officers awarded the Cross". The recommendation endorsed by Hunter-Weston and Hamilton but was not proceeded with by the War Office.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Victoria Cross awarded to Sergeant Alfred Richards, 1 Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers, has been sold at auction by Spink of London for a Hammer Price of £110,000 (Retrieved from Google cache) | date = 21 July 2005 | url=http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbrichar.htm |accessdate=30 September 2006 | archivedate = 25 July 2006 |archiveurl=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:pet4B_G7vjkJ:www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbrichar.htm }}</ref>

In August, Hunter-Weston made a second recommendation for three of the men; under the original 1856 warrant establishing the award up to 4 VCs could be awarded as a result of balloting the units involved; and Keneally, Richards and Willis, were awarded the medal having been selected by the surviving privates, NCOs and officers respectively.{{cn|date=May 2021}}

However, Brigadier Owen Wolley-Dod, who was a member of Hunter-Weston's general staff and a Lancashire Fusilier himself, and who had landed on the beach shortly after noon continued pressing for more awards to be made. Eventually the other three men, including Grimshaw, were finally awarded the medal. The awards were published in the ''London Gazette'' on 13 March 1917,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm | title = 6 VCs before breakfast (image of front page of Gazette. The ''Gazette'' was published on a Tuesday and contained announcements to be made on Thursday. Some accounts therefore give the official date of the citation, Thursday 15 March)| work = Gallipoli Association |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070305115542/http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm |archivedate = 5 March 2007}}</ref> with an identical citation to the original three men. Grimshaw had his DCM cancelled and replaced with a Victoria Cross. The courage of the six men awarded the medal as a result of the landing was hailed in the Press as "6 VCs before breakfast".{{cn|date=May 2021}}

Meanwhile, Grimshaw had been evacuated from Gallipoli suffering from [[frostbite]] and, in 1916, posted to Hull as a rifle instructor. Whilst at Hull, he married Margaret Stout, with whom he later had two children.{{cn|date=May 2021}} He was subsequently sent with his battalion to France where, as a [[Sergeant]], he was commissioned in 1917. In 1918 he was posted to the First Battalion of the [[75th Carnatic Infantry]] in India, and promoted to [[Lieutenant]], before rejoining the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1920 and retiring in 1921. In 1934 he was appointed the Army's Chief Recruiting Officer in the [[Northumbria]]n Area and promoted to [[Lieutenant-Colonel]]; he later held the same appointment in [[East Anglia]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.diggerhistory2.info/graveyards/pages/others/brit-vc1.htm#grimshaw | work=Digger History | title=British VC Winners, Gallipoli Campaign: A to J | access-date=29 September 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902005421/http://www.diggerhistory2.info/graveyards/pages/others/brit-vc1.htm#grimshaw | archive-date=2 September 2006 | url-status=dead }}</ref> He died on 20 July 1980 at [[Isleworth]], London, and was cremated at the South West London Crematorium in [[Hanwell]], Middlesex.{{cn|date=May 2021}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[[Monuments to Courage]] (David Harvey, 1999)
*[[The Register of the Victoria Cross]] (This England, 1997)
*[[VCs of the First World War - Gallipoli]] (Stephen Snelling, 1995)

{{Royal Regiment of Fusiliers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Grimshaw, John Elisha}}
[[Category:British Gallipoli campaign recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:Lancashire Fusiliers soldiers]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:Lancashire Fusiliers officers]]
[[Category:British Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:People from the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan]]
[[Category:1893 births]]
[[Category:1980 deaths]]
[[Category:British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross]]