12th Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps

Born:
11 January 1897, Royston, Nr Barnsley, Yorks.

Died:
23 October 1966. Royston

Buried:
Royston Cemetery.
Headstone.

Enlisted:
4 August 1915.

CITATION

For most conspicuous bravery as a company runner on 20th November 1917 at Cambrai. When his company was held up by a machine gun at point-blank range he volunteered to rush the gun and, though ordered not to, rushed forward and threw a Mills bomb, killing two gunners and capturing the gun. The company, on continuing its advance, came under heavy enfilade machine gun fire. When the last officer and the last non-commissioned officer had become casualties, he took command of the company, ordered the men to lie down and himself went back some 70 yards under severe fire to obtain the help of a tank. He then returned to his company and finally led them to their last objective. He showed throughout, conspicuous determination and resource.

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.