Bernard William Vann
Lieutenant Colonel, 1st/ 8th Battalion. Sherwood Foresters
- Register No.
- 1249 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant Colonel (register: Acting Lieutenant Colonel) all Lieutenant-Colonels →
- Unit
- 1st/ 8th Battalion. Sherwood Foresters all Sherwood Foresters VCs →
- Date of action
- 29 September 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 14th December 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Died
- in action, by a sniper, at Rammicourt, France on 3rd October
- Memorial / grave
- at Bellicourt British Cemetery, France; also on memorial at Rushden, Northamptonshire
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
On the 29th September, 1918 Lieutenant Colonel Vann gave an example of most conspicuous bravery, leadership and devotion to duty during the attack at a Bellenglise and Lehaucourt, France. Under the cover of a thick fog, but also under a very heavy fire from machine and field guns, he displayed great skill in leading his men across the Canal du Nord. The attack was delayed by every description of enemy fire, coming from the front and right flank, as they reached the high ground above Bellinglise. Lieutenant Colonel Vann, realising that it was imperative that they advanced with the barrage, rushed forward to the firing line and with great gallantry led the advance. Because of his expedient action and his disregard for danger, his men, encouraged, continued forward reversing the whole situation. At a later time, single-handedly, he rushed a field gun, knocking out three of its crew. The fine leadership and gallantry of Lieutenant Colonel Vann was instrumental in making the day a success. It was during another attack, near Ramicourt on 3rd October 1918, that he was killed by a sniper's bullet through the heart
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
VANN, Bernard William. (reg No. 1249).
Lieutenant Colonel * 1st/ 8th Battalion. Sherwood Foresters.
* London Gazetted on 14th December 1918.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born the 9th July 1887 at Rushden, Northamptonshire.
Killed in action, by a sniper, at Rammicourt, France on 3rd October 1918.
Memorial on grave at Bellicourt British Cemetery, France; also on memorial at Rushden, Northamptonshire.
Digest of Citation reads: On the 29th September, 1918 Lieutenant Colonel Vann gave an example of most conspicuous bravery, leadership and devotion to duty during the attack at a Bellenglise and Lehaucourt, France. Under the cover of a thick fog, but also under a very heavy fire from machine and field guns, he displayed great skill in leading his men across the Canal du Nord. The attack was delayed by every description of enemy fire, coming from the front and right flank, as they reached the high ground above Bellinglise. Lieutenant Colonel Vann, realising that it was imperative that they advanced with the barrage, rushed forward to the firing line and with great gallantry led the advance. Because of his expedient action and his disregard for danger, his men, encouraged, continued forward reversing the whole situation. At a later time, single-handedly, he rushed a field gun, knocking out three of its crew. The fine leadership and gallantry of Lieutenant Colonel Vann was instrumental in making the day a success. It was during another attack, near Ramicourt on 3rd October 1918, that he was killed by a sniper's bullet through the heart.
* Acting Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding the 1st/6th Battalion.
* Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment. (Territorial Force).
Additional information:. Lieutenant Colonel Bernard W. Vann also held the Military Cross (MC) and Bar and the Croix de Guerre with Palm. His widow, Doris Victoria Vann (née Beck) received her husband's posthumous award of the Victoria Cross from King George V. Lieutenant Colonel Vann married Doris Victoria Beck on 27th December 1917. They had a son born on 2nd June 1919, Bernard Geoffrey, whom he never saw. He was educated at Chichele College and Jesus College, Cambridge, obtaining his degree in 1910. He was ordained deacon in 1912, and at the beginning of the European War (WW I) he was at Wellingborough School, employed as chaplain and Assistant Master. After applying to become an army chaplain he became impatient by the delay and joined the Sherwood Foresters in August 1914. In September he became a Second Lieutenant and on the 1st June 1916 was promoted to Captain, 19 days later he was promoted to Acting Major, and then Acting Lieutenant Colonel on 6th October 1917.
Additional information
Lieutenant Colonel Bernard W. Vann also held the Military Cross (MC) and Bar and the Croix de Guerre with Palm. His widow, Doris Victoria Vann (née Beck) received her husband's posthumous award of the Victoria Cross from King George V. Lieutenant Colonel Vann married Doris Victoria Beck on 27th December 1917. They had a son born on 2nd June 1919, Bernard Geoffrey, whom he never saw. He was educated at Chichele College and Jesus College, Cambridge, obtaining his degree in 1910. He was ordained deacon in 1912, and at the beginning of the European War (WW I) he was at Wellingborough School, employed as chaplain and Assistant Master. After applying to become an army chaplain he became impatient by the delay and joined the Sherwood Foresters in August 1914. In September he became a Second Lieutenant and on the 1st June 1916 was promoted to Captain, 19 days later he was promoted to Acting Major, and then Acting Lieutenant Colonel on 6th October 1917.
*
* Acting Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding the 1st/6th Battalion.
* Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment. (Territorial Force).
Born the 9th July 1887 at Rushden, Northamptonshire.
1918.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Bellicourt British Cemetery, France; also on memorial at Rushden, Northamptonshire
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