Brett Mackay Cloutman
Major, 59th Field Company, Corps of Royal Engineers
- Register No.
- 223 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Major (register: Acting Major) all Majors →
- Unit
- 59th Field Company, Corps of Royal Engineers all Corps of Royal Engineers VCs →
- Date of action
- 6 November 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 31st January 1919 on this day → all of 1919 →
- Born
- 7th November 1891 at London
- Died
- 15th August 1971 at Highgate, London
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
On 6th November, 1918 at Pont-sur- Sambre, France, Major Cloutman, after reconnoitring the river crossings, found the Quartes Bridge almost intact but prepared for demolition. Leaving his party under cover he went forward alone, swam across the river and having cut the 'leads' from the charges returned the same way, despite the fact that the bridge and all the approaches were swept by enemy shells and machine-gun fire. Although the bridge was blown up later in the day by other means, the abutments remained intact
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
CLOUTMAN, Brett Mackay. (reg No. 223)
Major 59th Field Company, Corps of Royal Engineers.
London Gazetted on 31st January 1919.
Born on 7th November 1891 at London.
Died on 15th August 1971 at Highgate, London.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: On 6th November, 1918 at Pont-sur- Sambre, France, Major Cloutman, after reconnoitring the river crossings, found the Quartes Bridge almost intact but prepared for demolition. Leaving his party under cover he went forward alone, swam across the river and having cut the 'leads' from the charges returned the same way, despite the fact that the bridge and all the approaches were swept by enemy shells and machine-gun fire. Although the bridge was blown up later in the day by other means, the abutments remained intact.
Additional information: Lt. Colonel Cloutman also held the Military Cross (MC). He was the last person to be awarded the Victoria Cross in World War One. He was knighted and became Sir Brett. From 1939-45 he served in World War Two and in 1947 became Senior Chairman of the War Pensions Tribunals. Later, from 1954-63 he became a Senior Official Referee of the Supreme Court of Judicature.
Additional information
Lt. Colonel Cloutman also held the Military Cross (MC). He was the last person to be awarded the Victoria Cross in World War One. He was knighted and became Sir Brett. From 1939-45 he served in World War Two and in 1947 became Senior Chairman of the War Pensions Tribunals. Later, from 1954-63 he became a Senior Official Referee of the Supreme Court of Judicature.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour Brett Mackay Cloutman by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.