French war graves visit a VC and the TT

[wheelers]

isnt life strange, we are currently in Northern France looking at houses and war graves, today we called into the local cemetery , been there before, looking around the grave stones we came across a Lieutenant e f Baxter VC. missed it last time this time we have had a look at the details on line. earned his VC posthumately as awarded after death.
further research finds that he actually rode in the 1910 IOM TT finishing in 20th position.

He competed in the 1910 Isle of Man TT Races and crashed on lap 4 at Ballacraine. The resulting damage to the front forks of his motor-cycle caused his retirement from the race he was on a 4 1/2 hp Rex at 38.33mph !!!

[Swanny]

Brave man

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/67/Baxter_vc.jpg/220px-Baxter_vc.jpg


2nd Lt. Edward Felix Baxter, late L'pool R.
For most conspicuous bravery. Prior to a raid on the hostile line he was engaged during two nights in cutting wire close to the enemy's trenches. The enemy could be heard on the other side of the parapet.
Second Lieutenant Baxter, while assisting in the wire cutting, held a bomb in his hand with the pin withdrawn ready to throw. On one occasion the bomb slipped and fell to the ground, but he instantly picked it up, unscrewed the base plug, and took out the detonator, which he smothered in the ground, thereby preventing the alarm being given, and undoubtedly saving many casualties.
Later, he led the left storming party with the greatest gallantry, and was the first man into the trench, shooting the sentry with his revolver. He then assisted to bomb dugouts, and finally climbed out of the trench and assisted the last man over the parapet.
After this he was not seen again, though search parties went out at once to look for him. There seems no doubt that he lost his life in his great devotion to duty.

[wiltshire builders]

Bloody hell.
Compared to that the TT would is a walk in the park.