Quick Facts
Biography
Commander Basil John Douglas Guy VC, DSO (9 May 1882 – 29 December 1956) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Details
He was 18 years old, and a midshipman in the Royal Navy serving at HMS Barfleur during the Boxer Rebellion in China, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
On 13th July 1900, during the attack on Tientsin City, a very heavy cross-fire was brought to bear on the Naval Brigade, and there were several casualties. Among those who fell was an able seaman (name not quoted here), shot about 50 yards short of cover. Mr. Guy stopped with him, and, after seeing what the injury was, attempted to lift him up and carry him in, but was not strong enough, so after binding up the wound Mr. Guy ran to get assistance. In the mean time, the remainder of the company had passed in under cover, and the entire fire from the city wall was concentrated on Mr. Guy and the other man. Shortly after Mr. Guy had got in under cover the stretchers came up, and again Mr. Guy dashed out and assisted in placing the wounded man on the stretcher and carrying him in. The wounded man was however shot dead just as he was being carried into safety. During the whole time, a very heavy fire had been brought to bear upon Mr. Guy, and the ground around him was absolutely ploughed up.
Guy was invested with the decoration by King Edward VII on 8 March 1902, during a royal visit to Devonport Royal Dockyard.
After returning from China, he served on HMS Hannibal in the Channel Fleet.
Further information
He later achieved the rank of commander having fought in the First World War. His VC is on display at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery in the Imperial War Museum, London.