Ferdinand Simeon Le Quesne VC

b. 25/12/1863 St Helier, Jersey. d. 14/04/1950 Bristol. 

Ferdinand Simeon Le Quesne (1863-1950) was born on Christmas Day 1863 in Jersey, Channel Islands. He was the third son of Lieutenant-Colonel Giffard N. Le Quesne, Royal Jersey Artillery, and Augusta, daughter of the late Admiral Charles Simeon. He was educated in the Channel Islands and at King’s College Hospital, London. He served in the Burma Campaign of 1889.

Ferdinand S Le Quesne VC

In the expedition against the Chins he was severely wounded, mentioned in despatches, and for his services in this campaign, received the Victoria Cross (London Gazette, 29th October 1889).

On the 4th May 1889, during the attack on the village of Tartan, Burma, by a column of the Chin Field Force, Surgeon Le Quesne remained for the space of about ten minutes within 5 yards of the loopholed stockade, from which the enemy was firing, dressing the wounds with coolness and self-possession, the wounds of an officer who shortly afterwards died. Le Quesne was himself severely wounded later while attending to the wounds of another officer.

He was presented with his medal by Major-General Sir J Gordon in Rangoon on 18th February 1890. He later served with the Chin Lushai Field Force in 1890, and with the Wuntho Field Force of 1891. In 1898 he was promoted to Major. In 1901-1902, he served in the South African War, earning the Queen’s Medal with three clasps. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1906, and retired in December 1918.

Le Quesne lived in the West Country in his retirement, and lived through both World Wars. He died aged 86, on 14th April 1950 in Bristol. He was buried in Canford Cemetery, Bristol. His medals are held by the Jersey Museum, St Helier, Jersey.

 

LOCATION OF MEDAL: JERSEY MUSEUM, ST HELIER, JERSEY.

BURIAL PLACE: CANFORD CEMETERY, BRISTOL, AVON.

SECTION K, COLOUR RED, GRAVE 9.

Acknowledgements:

Kevin Brazier – Cemetery Map.

Ned Malet de Carteret – Image of the Le Quesne VC Medal Group at the Jersey Museum, St Helier, Jersey.

Steve Lee – Image of the Green Plaque in Bristol.