Henry Robert Bowreman Foote
Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding 7th Royal Tank Regiment
- Register No.
- 416 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant Colonel (register: Temp. Lieutenant Colonel) all Lieutenant-Colonels →
- Unit
- Commanding 7th Royal Tank Regiment all 7th Royal Tank Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 27 May 1942 to 15 June 1942 on this day → all of 1942 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 18th May 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Born
- 5th December 1904 at Ishapur, Bengal, India
- Died
- 11th November 1993 at Pulborough, Sussex
- Memorial / grave
- St Mary's Churchyard *, West Chiltington, Sussex
Digest of citation
During the period 27th May/15th June 1942 in Libya, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding his battalion with outstanding courage and leadership, always being at the crucial point at the right time. 16th June, although wounded, he continued to lead his battalion from an exposed position on the outside of a tank, and succeeded in defeating the enemies attempt to encircle two of our divisions. On 30th June when a number of our tanks had been destroyed, he went on foot, from one tank to another, encouraging the crews under intense artillery and anti-tank fire. By his magnificent example the corridor was kept open for the Brigade to march through. (vice-chairman of the VC and GC Association in the United Kingdom from 1956-68)
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
FOOTE, Henry Robert Bowreman. (reg No. 416).
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding 7th Royal Tank Regiment.
London Gazetted on 18th May 1944.
Born on 5th December 1904 at Ishapur, Bengal, India.
Died on 11th November 1993 at Pulborough, Sussex.
Memorial at St Mary's Churchyard *, West Chiltington, Sussex Digest of Citation reads: During the period 27th May/15th June 1942 in Libya, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding his battalion with outstanding courage and leadership, always being at the crucial point at the right time. 16th June, although wounded, he continued to lead his battalion from an exposed position on the outside of a tank, and succeeded in defeating the enemies attempt to encircle two of our divisions. On 30th June when a number of our tanks had been destroyed, he went on foot, from one tank to another, encouraging the crews under intense artillery and anti-tank fire. By his magnificent example the corridor was kept open for the Brigade to march through.
* Buried in the same graveyard is the Reverend G H Woolley VC. (vice-chairman of the VC and GC Association in the United Kingdom from 1956-68).
Additional information:. Major General Foote was a Companion of (the Order of) the Bath. (CB). He also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). During his career he was from 1947-48, Officer Commanding the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, from 1948-49 he was OC the Automotive Wing of Fighting Vehicles Proving Establishment at the Ministry of Supply. From 1949-50 he commanded the 7th Armoured Brigade after which, he Commanded the 11th Armoured Division from 1950-53. He returned to the Ministry of Supply as Director General of Fighting Vehicles. From 1955-58 he was at the War Office as Director of the Royal Armoured Corps. In 1968 he succeeded the Reverend G H Woolley VC as Vice-Chairman of the VC and GC Association (UK) until his death in 1993.
Additional information
Major General Foote was a Companion of (the Order of) the Bath. (CB). He also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). During his career he was from 1947-48, Officer Commanding the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, from 1948-49 he was OC the Automotive Wing of Fighting Vehicles Proving Establishment at the Ministry of Supply. From 1949-50 he commanded the 7th Armoured Brigade after which, he Commanded the 11th Armoured Division from 1950-53. He returned to the Ministry of Supply as Director General of Fighting Vehicles. From 1955-58 he was at the War Office as Director of the Royal Armoured Corps. In 1968 he succeeded the Reverend G H Woolley VC as Vice-Chairman of the VC and GC Association (UK) until his death in 1993.
* Buried in the same graveyard is the Reverend G H Woolley VC.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: St Mary's Churchyard *, West Chiltington, Sussex
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.
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