'Corporal G. E. Nurse, V.C.'

Cigarette card published by Taddy and Company, Number 60 from the series, 'V.C. Heroes - Boer War' a set of 125 cards, 1902.

A portrait of Corporal (later Lieutenant) George Edward Nurse (1873-1945), wearing his Victoria Cross, after a photograph by J Hawke, Plymouth.

The caption below records that 'Corporal G. E. Nurse. V.C. Awarded the Victoria Cross for gallant bravery during the attempt to save the guns at Colenso. 15th Dec. 1899'.

Nurse was born at Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, Ireland on 14 April 1873.

On 15 December 1899 Sir Redvers Buller launched a frontal assault on the Boer positions at Colenso. Intending to give the attacking infantry the closest possible support, Colonel Charles Long moved 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery into the open to within 900 m of the Boers, who subjected them to intense artillery and rifle fire. When Long's ammunition was almost exhausted, the crews unharnessed the horses and, leaving the guns, retired to the cover of a ditch about 740 m away to await fresh supplies. Here they were joined by Buller, who called for volunteers to save the guns.

Nurse and some drivers of the 66th Battery, with three of Buller's staff, including Lieutenant The Hon Frederick Roberts (1872-1899), King's Royal Rifle Corps, only son of Lord Roberts, reached the guns under a hail of fire and got two away, but Roberts was mortally wounded.

Further attempts to reach the remaining ten guns proved fruitless, and Buller eventually ordered them to be abandoned. Lieutenant Roberts (posthumously) and Corporal Nurse were both awarded the Victoria Cross for their part in the action.

Nurse was awarded the Victoria Cross by General Sir Redvers Buller at Ladysmith on 18 March 1900.

Cigarette cards were produced from the mid 1870s until the end of World War Two (1939-1945). Used to strengthen thin cigarette packs the cards were quickly developed into advertising devices. Series of cards covering every conceivable subject, from sportsmen to flora and fauna, were produced to encourage collectors and potential smokers alike.

From a collection of 14 cigarette cards.