Henry Tandey VC

Did anyone ever meet this world famous man that lived at 7 Loudon Ave, Radford, Coventry for nearly 50 years. Henry Tandey, VC, DCM. MM d.1977. Coventry. Awfull weather when he was born the year of the Great Blizzard Storm. Eighteen ninety one Leamington Spa red flag men leading the car. James his father a bad tempered man a few beers and brawling began. Wise neighbours stayed clear of him best left to kith and kin. Never said much about school days cricket, rugby, football or plays. One photo shows a contented lad things in Leamington not to bad. Much of his youth a mystery reticent to recall for history. At eighteen the Imperial Hotel a stoker/engineer for a spell. In nineteen ten the army game The Green Howards their name. A friend said "An upstanding man" he finished has he began. Nineteen fourteen The Great War Ypres they began their tour. With a short magazine Lee-Enfield Henry promising on this battle field. Nineteen eighteen the final year Henry moves into top gear. At the Cambrai Battle his DCM then Havrincourt the MM. His mighty Victoria Cross paths with Hitler he would cross. At Marcoing in that smoky haze could have ended Hitler's days.

The Hitler life-saving incident is disputed. It may have happened, it may not. Oddly enough, it is the fact that Tandey lived in Coventry in 1938 which casts most doubt on the story. Anyway, here is the picture of Tandey VC which allegedly hung on Hitler's wall. Please note the wounded soldier that Tandey is carrying is not Hitler but another British soldier.

Than you Dutchman for replying. The fact that Henry was in Coventry in 1938 is of no consequence to his war record. Henry fought in the First World War, 1914-1918. The battle of Macoing was in 1918, both Henry and Hitler were at that battle.

I'm afraid it is John: Link to Wikipedia

Yes this is all in David Johnsons book - which I have read - neither Tandey or Hitler were at war in 1938. My write is about when they were on the same battlefield in 1918 at Marcoing.

Nobody suggested they were John. However, the claim that Hitler identified Tandey as the soldier who spared his life in 1918 did originate in 1938 and has largely been discredited since.

In Johnsons book Tandey said he couldn't recall the incident. Remember Hitler was unknown in this country in 1918. He was quite well known in the German army tho'. He won the Iron Cross [first class] normally only given to officers.

Indeed John, there was no reason in 1918 why any British soldier shouldn't have spared the life of a wounded German soldier. No blame attaches to whoever it was

Hi all Many people do not actually know that Adolf Hitler was not a German, he was born in Austria, where his ancestry may go back to that of the Huns. Please remember when posting comments that some subjects invoke passion as well as sometimes, sore memories. Thank you. Original post amended, thanks to post from Longford Lad.

I have to correct PhilipinCoventry: Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn in Austria very close to the German border.

Hi, Longford Lad, you are correct. I did not type what I had intended to, as I was trying to slow-down any hard feelings on such a subject of this sensitive nature. Yes he was born in Austria. As said my interevention, on this thread was to remind us all of our need to treat sensitive subjects with sensitivity. Thank you for correcting my error.

Hi All Can I suggest that Henry Tandey is included in the famous Coventrians title as it may avoid any further confusion that the HC website doesn't recognise it`s famous and brave people?

I think MickW's suggestion above is a smashing one actually, and Private Tandey is certainly just as deserving of a place on our "Earned Coventry Status" list in the Famous Coventrians as anyone else on there.

Nothing can take away from the fact that he was the most decorated British soldier in WWI.

And probable the toughest little man that ever graced Coventry soil, he was only five foot five. He must have had nerves of steel to give this fantastic performance in that nightmare scenario.