Alfred Oliver Pollard
Second Lieutenant, 1st Battalion. Honourable Artillery Company
- Register No.
- 992 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Second Lieutenant all Second Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion. Honourable Artillery Company all Honourable Artillery Company VCs →
- Date of action
- 29 April 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- the 8th in June 1917 all of 1917 →
- Born
- 4th May 1893 at Wallington, Surrey
- Died
- 5th December 1960 at Bournemouth, Hampshire
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
Owing to heavy casualties caused by enemy shellfire, the troops of various units to the left of Second Lieutenant Pollard's Battalion had become disorganised on 29th April, 1917 at the Gavrelle, France. A further enemy attack only caused further confusion and retirement, and being closely pressed by enemy forces. Realising the seriousness of the situation, Second Lieutenant Pollard rushed up to put a halt to the retirement. With only four men, he began a counter-attack with bombs, pressing it home, breaking the enemy and regaining all the ground that had been lost: and much more in addition. The enemy sustained many casualties as they retired in complete disorder. With his lack of regard for danger, he instilled every man, who saw him, with courage
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
POLLARD, Alfred Oliver. (reg No. 992).
Second Lieutenant. 1st Battalion. Honourable Artillery Company.
London Gazetted on the 8th in June 1917.
Born on 4th May 1893 at Wallington, Surrey.
Died on 5th December 1960 at Bournemouth, Hampshire.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: Owing to heavy casualties caused by enemy shellfire, the troops of various units to the left of Second Lieutenant Pollard's Battalion had become disorganised on 29th April, 1917 at the Gavrelle, France. A further enemy attack only caused further confusion and retirement, and being closely pressed by enemy forces. Realising the seriousness of the situation, Second Lieutenant Pollard rushed up to put a halt to the retirement. With only four men, he began a counter-attack with bombs, pressing it home, breaking the enemy and regaining all the ground that had been lost: and much more in addition. The enemy sustained many casualties as they retired in complete disorder. With his lack of regard for danger, he instilled every man, who saw him, with courage.
Additional information:. Second Lieutenant Pollard also held the Military Cross (MC) and Bar as well as the Distinguished Conduct Medal. (DCM) awarded for bravery near Ypres in September 1916. In 1918 he married Mary Ainsley of Trefilan, Purley. Alfred Pollard joined the Honourable Artillery Company on 8th August 1914, going to France a month later as a Sergeant. He was given his commission in January 1916.
Additional information
Second Lieutenant Pollard also held the Military Cross (MC) and Bar as well as the Distinguished Conduct Medal. (DCM) awarded for bravery near Ypres in September 1916. In 1918 he married Mary Ainsley of Trefilan, Purley. Alfred Pollard joined the Honourable Artillery Company on 8th August 1914, going to France a month later as a Sergeant. He was given his commission in January 1916.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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