Gazetted: 13 February 1918.
Investiture: 9 March 1918. Buckingham Palace.
Other Decorations: Croix De Guerre. Medaille Militaire.
Other Medals: 1914-15 Star, BW. VM. King George VI Coronation Queen Elizabeth II Coronation.
Location of Medals: The Royal Green Jackets Museum.
Record of Service: 4 August 1915 - 2 January 1919.

Personal: Born at Royston, near Barnsley, Yorkshire on 11 January 1897, son of Noah Shepherd, miner and of Mrs Laura Shepherd, who died on 7 November 1911, daughter of Mr Joseph Darwin. He was educated at Royston West Riding School and for three years before enlisting was a Pony Driver in the New Monckton colliery. He joined the Army on 4 August 1915, as a Private in the King's Royal Rifle Corps (12th Battn). He served in the War in France and Belgium. His service was from 4 August 1915 to 2 January 1919 and he was promoted to Lance-Corporal 28 August 1918 and Corporal 28 September 1918. He won the Victoria Cross on the morning of 20 November 1917 at Cambrai for taking charge of his company when it was without leaders, and capturing machine guns and reaching the Hindenburg front line. Private Shepherd hinted that it was probable that he would receive some decoration "for something he had done out yonder," but his friends never imagined that he was to receive the highest of military decorations. He was invested by the King at Buckingham Palace was presented with a gold watch and chain by the patriotic fund and with a Bible by the scholars of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, with which he was formerly connected. A fund was begun to present him with War Bonds. He was twice gassed and twice wounded (in the arm) during the war. His chief recreations were boxing and running. His wife's name was Mrs Rosezillah Shepherd, and their child was Mildred Shepherd.

Commemoration: 1. Headstone. 2. Name on Archway to churchyard in Royston.

Back to Victoria Crosses Of The Regiment