On Thursday 26th February a ceremony will take place to unveil a Commemorative Paving

Stone to honour Major General Sir Christopher Charles Teesdalc VC KCMG CB, who was awarded the Victoria Cross following action during the Crimean War.

Christopher Teesdale was born in South Africa in 1833 and, like his father, was an officcr in the Royal Artillery. During the Crimean War he took command of a force defending the fortress of Kars against the Russians. Following seven and a half hours of very heavy fire hc rallied thc Turkish artillerymen to return to thcir posts and then led the final charge which secured victory. After the action had ceased he stepped in, at great personal risk, to stop the

Russian wounded from being massacred. He was mentioned in dispatches and received titles from the El urkish Sultan and also the class of the French Lcgion d'Honncur. He was 22 at the time.

When the Victoria Cross was instituted he was the 109th recipient, receiving his decoration from Queen Victoria when he returned from Crimea in 1857. He was promoted to Captain and Major in 1858, Lt. Colonel in 1868, Colonel in 1877 and then Major General. He was later awarded the KCMG and so became Sir Christophcr Tccsdalc.

His father had retired to the area and until he died lived in a house opposite South Bersted Church. Sir Christopher later moved to the house until his death in 1893.

The Commemorative Stone is being laid as part of a scheme set up for the WW1 centenary and records him receiving the VC as Lt Christopher Teesdale on 29 1h September 1855.

The ceremony is being organised by Bognor Regis Town Council and will take place at the War Mcmorial at thc Town Hall at 2.30pm on Thursday 26th . The Town Mayor, Cllr Tony Gardiner, and Deputy Lieutenant Roger Turner will be joined by representatives from the Armed Forces, including Royal Artillery serving soldiers and veterans, other dignitaries and local Councillors.

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