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Date	Original Topic
29th November 2002	2nd Forfeited V.C. in Zululand. By John Young Having sparked some interest over Private Thomas Lane, V.C. I can now reveal the identity of the 2nd forfeited Victoria Cross winner to have served in 1879 campaign. He was Private Frederick Corbett, 3rd Battalion, 60th (King's Royal Rifle Corps) Rifles. "Frederick Corbett" was the assumed name of David Embleton, contrary to the version of 'The Register of the Victoria Cross', I have, he was not born in Camberwell in 1856, nor did he die in '?London - sometime after 1904.' David Embleton was born on 17th September, 1853 in Maldon, Essex. He would died destitute in Maldon Union Workhouse on 25th September, 1912, a bitter and angry man. According to his surviving family members, he was present at the action at Gingindlovu, 2nd April, 1879, where his battalion commander, Brevet Lt.-Col. F.V. Northey was mortally wounded. On the 29th August, 1879, he was a member of one of the two companies of the 3rd/60th, which reinforced the escort to King Cetshwayo kaMpande. He would remain in South Africa after the conclusion of the Anglo-Zulu War. He saw further action in 1st Anglo-Boer War, 1880-81. The family oral history, as his service papers do not remain, has it that he fought alongside George Colley "at Majuba", although I conject that he may well have been at the Battle of Ingogo, alongside Colley. The family are adamant though it was at Majuba, and that he actually saw Colley fall. In 1882 Private Corbett served against the forces of Arabi Pasha in Egyptian Campaign. On 5th August, 1882, at Kafrdour, whilst on a reconnaissance, Corbett's officer, Lieutenant Henry Granville Lindsay Howard Vyse, was mortally wounded, Corbett remained with the lieutenant whilst the others in the party including Henry Hallam Parr advanced. Under a constant heavy fire, and in an exposed position, Corbett attempted to stem the flow of blood from the officer's femoral artery. Hallam Parr records; 'I have, however, a very nice little chap of the Rifles as an ordely. When I went back to see how poor Vyse was doing on the 5th, he asked leave to stay by him. "Please, sir, let me stay, I was his servant ever so long." So I told him he could, but lie close, as the bullets were hitting all around us then, and he sat down quite contentedly with the poor boy's head on his lap, and I found him there when I was ordered to retire.' It would appear that Corbett was recommended for the award of the D.C.M. for his actions that day. Hallam Parr records on 1st February, 1883; 'I got news yesterday that the Distinguished Service [sic.] medal had been granted to Corbett, which has pleased me very much. It is as rare as the V.C., only it is not given to officers.' However, and again according to the oral history of the family, the commander of the British Forces in the 1882 Egypt campaign, Garnet Joseph Wolseley, intervened, and the recommendation was altered to the Victoria Cross, which was gazetted on 16th February, 1883. What happened between 1883 and his death in 1912, is a story in itself, and one that I am currently researching for an article in 'The Journal of the Anglo-Zulu War Research Society'. So please forgive me if I 'don't spill the beans' here. Suffice to say that he did not, in my opinion, deserve the forfeiture of his Victoria Cross, given the circumstances. John Young, A.-Z.W.R.S.
Date	Replies
29th November 2002	Andy Lee John I have a question for you, do you think there are any circumstances that should dictate the forfeiture of a Victoria Cross - I'm of a opinion that a Victoria Cross should be for life and any future crime should be punished but the award of the VC should not brought into matters. Andy
29th November 2002	Peter Ewart You're in good company, Andy, as George V was famously of the same opinion, believing that a murderer should be allowed to wear his VC even on the gallows. Peter
29th November 2002	John Young Andy & Peter, I'm in total agreement with you both, indeed I actually discussed George V's comment with the family member after he had raised it. It is my belief that in no circumstances whatsoever should the V.C. be forfeited. The problem is that Frederick Corbett's "alleged crimes" occurred some years before the 26th July, 1920 letter written by another Anglo-Zulu War veteran, Lord Stamfordham, formerly Arthur Bigge. Bigge was a close friend of the Prince Imperial of France, and had been present at two V.C. actions - Hlobane & Khambula, whilst serving with 11th Battery, 7th Brigade, Royal Artillery. He had seen the horrors of "The Devil's Pass" from its base, where his rocket battery was deployed. Frankly, and this is just my assumption, it may well have been due to his intervention that Edmund Fowler, V.C., never had his V.C. forfeited for his alleged "crimes". Bigge must have know some V.C. holders well: - Henry Evelyn Wood was his Column Commander, who gave Bigge a "mentioned in despatches". Redvers Buller, the commander of the irregular horse. William Knox Leet of the 1st/13th. Henry Lysons of the 90th, or Edward Browne, 1st/24th, the Khambula V.C. He may very well have known "Bill" Beresford, D'Arcy & O'Toole, and as I've ventured above Fowler. Arthur Bigge had shared the horror of war alongside of these men, and again I venture to say it may well have been that which rightly coloured his view. In his later guise as the Private Secretary to no less than three British Sovereigns, he may very well have shared his feelings with them - it may be that those feelings went unheard until 1920, but that is pure conjecture. John Young, A.-Z.W.R.S.
29th November 2002	Clive Dickens Whatever these men may have done before or after thier award of the VC should make no difference at all to their award Bravery is Bravery and the award should NEVER be taken from them. after I very much doubt whatever they may have done COULD BE NO WORSE than the actions and treatment of Black Africans by Lord Baden Powell during the siege of Ladysmith yet he was looked upon as an hero Clive
30th November 2002	Trevor Finney I think I would prefer to make my mind up when Mr Young has the facts of what this chaps crime was? Some things you can forgive. Some things you can't!
30th November 2002	Clive Dickens Sorry evryone I have got my sieges wrong it should of course be" Mafeking" and NOT Ladysmith Clive
30th November 2002	John Young Trevor, Without revealing the entire plot of the article here. Frederick Corbett was initially charged with theft of a coat, which was apparently recovered. A further charge of embezzlement was added with regard to the content of some letters written by Corbett. John Young, A.-Z.W.R.S.
30th November 2002	Trevor Finney Cheers for that John. Not exactly a mass murderer then!
2nd December 2002	Andy Lee Trevor Even if it was mass murder why shouldn't one be allowed to wear the VC to the gallows the person still performed the heroic dead. Andy
2nd December 2002	Trevor Finney Andy. If he had been a mass murderer! Or a Rapist. Or a Child Killer. And one of the victims was one of your family. Would getting the VC or any other Medal in your opinion. Give that person the right to go to the Gallows with honour? I don't think so! Just my opinion. For what it's worth!
18th January 2003	Kevin Clark is there any truth that frederick corbett made copies of his VC before it was taken away. david Embleton was my 2nd great grand uncle
18th April 2004	Fred Feather Bob Marrion and I went to the ceremony at Maldon graveyard on Friday 16th April 2004, hoping to see you. L/Gen Sir Christopher Wallace gave the eulogy. Bob has photographed the events for me. We shall be running the story in the Essex Family Historian.