George Ravenhill (1872–1921) was a British soldier and a recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest military decoration for valor in the British armed forces.
Born in Birmingham, England, Ravenhill served as a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Scots Fusiliers, during the Second Boer War. He earned the Victoria Cross for his actions on December 15, 1899, at the Battle of Colenso in South Africa. According to official records, Ravenhill went out under heavy fire to assist in the rescue of the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery. He was wounded several times during the engagement.
Ravenhill's military career is also historically noted for the subsequent forfeiture of his award. In 1908, after being convicted of theft, Ravenhill was stripped of his Victoria Cross and his pension under the provisions of the original Royal Warrant, which allowed for the cancellation of the decoration in cases of serious criminal misconduct. He is one of eight men to have had the Victoria Cross forfeited.
Following his discharge from the army, Ravenhill lived in poverty. He died in Birmingham on April 14, 1921. In 1920, King George V expressed the view that the Victoria Cross should never be forfeited, regardless of any subsequent crimes committed by the recipient. While this led to a change in policy, Ravenhill's award was not formally restored during his lifetime. In modern times, his name remains included in official lists of Victoria Cross recipients, though the physical medal was not returned to his estate.