His Story

George Wheeler was born in Tokyo in April 1880 and joined the 9^th Gurkha Rifles in 1901 after commissioning as an officer in 1900.

After being promoted to Major in 1915 he and his Battalion, 2^nd Battalion 9^th Gurkha Rifles (2/9GR) sailed for Mesopotamia in 1916. By 1917 the Battalion was part of the 7^th Meerut Division and was deployed to capture Baghdad. On February 23^rd 1917, Major Wheeler led ‘D’ Company of 2/9GR in forcing a crossing of the Tigris river at Shuman under heavy fire and against a determined counter-attack. Despite being bayonetted in the head, Major Wheeler and his men successfully took the river crossing and dispersed the Turkish forces. He was later to receive the Victoria Cross for his actions.

Major Wheeler saw further action with 9GR in Southern India in 1920/21. He retired in 1930 and passed away in August 1938.