THE VICTORIA CROSS AWARDED TO PRIVATE GEORGE MITCHELL, LONDON SCOTTISH ( GORDON HIGHLANDERS ), HAS BEEN PLACED INTO THE CARE OF THE REGIMENTAL MUSEUM IN LONDON
15 March 2006



Following Private George Mitchell's posthumous award of the Victoria Cross for his heroic action in northern Italy, it was invested by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on 17th July 1945 and placed into the care of his family. In 1949 his brother placed the VC into the custodianship of the Farmer Road Boys School, Leyton, East London, which was renamed the George Mitchell School in his honour in 1959. However, owing to its value the Victoria Cross has always been kept in a safe.

In March 2006 George Mitchell's nephew came to an agreement with his old regiment, the London Scottish ( Gordon Highlanders ), where they would purchase the George Mitchell Victoria Cross group for the sum of £150,000, the money going towards providing a mobile classroom with job search facilities that will also be used to provide computer training located at the George Mitchell School.

At a ceremony held at the Regimental Headquarters of the London Scottish Regiment, the Victoria Cross awarded to Private George Mitchell was handed over to the regimental museum by the Headmistress of the George Mitchell Secondary School.

The officials attending the ceremony were:

  • Major Stuart Young TD - Regimental Secretary
  • Mrs Helen Jeffries - Headmistress George Mitchell Secondary School
  • George Mitchell - nephew of George Mitchell VC
  • Colonel Stephen Henwood TD
  • Graham Kellas - Regimental Trustee


For the award of the Victoria Cross

[ London Gazette, 10 August 1944 ], Damiano Ridge, Italy, 23 - 24 January 1944, Private George Allan Mitchell, 1st Bn, London Scottish ( Gordon Highlanders ).

In Italy on the night of 23rd and 24th January 1944, a Company of the London Scottish was ordered to carry out a local attack to restore the situation on a portion of the main Damiano ridge. The Company attacked with two platoons forward and a composite platoon of London Scottish and Royal Berkshires in reserve. The Company Commander was wounded in the very early stages of the attack. The only other officer with the Company was wounded soon afterwards. A section of this Company was ordered by the Platoon Commander to carry out a right flanking movement against some enemy machine guns which were holding up the advance. Almost as soon as he had issued the order, he was killed. There was no Platoon Sergeant. The section itself consisted of a Lance Corporal and three men, who were shortly joined by Private Mitchell, the 2-inch mortarmen from Platoon Headquarters and another private.

During the advance, the enemy opened heavy machine gun fire at point blank range. Without hesitation, Private Mitchell dropped the 2-inch mortar which he was carrying, and seizing a rifle and bayonet, charged, alone, up the hill through intense spandau fire. He reached the enemy machine gun unscathed, jumped into the weapon pit, shot one and bayonetted the other member of the crew, thus silencing the gun. As a result, the advance of the platoon continued, but shortly afterwards the leading section was again held up by the fire of approximately two German sections who were strongly entrenched.

Private Mitchell, realising that prompt action was essential, rushed forward into the assault firing his rifle from his hip, completely oblivious of the bullets which were sweeping the area. The remainder of his section followed him and arrived in time to complete the capture of the position in which six Germans were killed and twelve made prisoner. As the section was reorganising, another enemy machine gun opened up on it at close range. Once more Private Mitchell rushed forward alone and with his rifle and bayonet killed the crew.

The section now found itself immediately below the crest of the hill from which heavy small arms fire was being directed and grenades were being thrown. Private Mitchell's ammunition was exhausted, but in spite of this he called on the men for one further effort and again led the assault up the steep and rocky hillside. Dashing to the front, he was again the first man to reach the enemy position and was mainly instrumental in forcing the remainder of the enemy to surrender. A few minutes later, a German who had surrendered, picked up a rifle and shot Private Mitchell through the head.

Throughout this operation, carried out on a very dark night, up a steep hillside covered with rocks and scrub Private Mitchell displayed courage and devotion to duty of the very highest order. His complete disregard of the enemy fire, the fearless way in which he continually exposed himself, and his refusal to accept defeat, so inspired his comrades that together they succeeded in overcoming and defeating an enemy superior in numbers, and helped by all the advantages of the ground.


George Mitchell is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Minturno War Cemetery ( also known as the New Military Cemetery, Sessa Arunca ) overlooking the Garigliano River and Damiano Mountains, which he had done so much to capture.


Medal entitlement of Private George Mitchell - 1st Bn, London Scottish ( Gordon Highlanders )

  • Victoria Cross
  • 1939 - 45 Star
  • Africa Star
  • Italy Star
  • Defence Medal ( 1939-45 )
  • War Medal ( 1939-45 )

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Iain Stewart, 15 March 2006