Abraham Acton

Abraham Acton VC (17 December 1893 – 16 May 1915) was an recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to and Commonwealth forces.

Biography Acton was born on 17 December 1893 to Robert and Elizabeth Eleanor Acton, of 4 Regent Square, Senhouse Street, Whitehaven in Cumberland. Acton was a member of the Orange Order, being associated with the Juvenile Orange Lodge of England.

He was 21 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Border Regiment, British Army during the First World War. He and James Alexander Smith, were both awarded their Victoria Cross for their actions on 21 December 1914 at Rouges Bancs, France.

He was killed in action at Festubert, France, on 16 May 1915, but his body was never found - he is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial and the Orange Order memorial bench beside Ulster Tower.

His VC is displayed at The Beacon, Whitehaven, Cumbria, England. And he is mentioned at Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, Carlisle, England - where his friends VC is displayed.