John Franks Vallentin
Captain, 1st Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment
- Register No.
- 1248 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain all Captains →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment all South Staffordshire Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 7 November 1914 on this day → all of 1914 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 18th February 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Born
- 14th May 1882 at Lambeth, London
- Died
- in action on 7th November 1914 at Zillebeke, Belgium
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium, also at St Leonard's Parish Church, Hythe and in the Garrison Church at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffordshire
- Medal held by
- Wellington College, Crowthorne,Berkshire
Digest of citation
Captain Vallentin, whilst leading an attack against the enemy under extremely heavy fire on 7th November 1914 at Zillibeke, Belgium , was suddenly struck down. He was immediately killed when he rose to continue the attack. The enemy trenches were captured and the success in this venture was due mainly to the confidence the men had in Captain Vallentin. He had on many previous occasions given evidence of his ability and his courage
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
VALLENTIN John Franks (Reg No. 1248)
Captain 1st Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment London Gazetted on 18th February 1915 VC Medal's Custodian is Wellington College, Crowthorne,Berkshire. (His old School)
Born on 14th May 1882 at Lambeth, London.
Killed in action on 7th November 1914 at Zillebeke, Belgium.
Memorials at Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium, also at St Leonard's Parish Church, Hythe and in the Garrison Church at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffordshire.
Digest of Citation reads: Captain Vallentin, whilst leading an attack against the enemy under extremely heavy fire on 7th November 1914 at Zillibeke, Belgium , was suddenly struck down. He was immediately killed when he rose to continue the attack. The enemy trenches were captured and the success in this venture was due mainly to the confidence the men had in Captain Vallentin. He had on many previous occasions given evidence of his ability and his courage.
Additional information:. Captain Vallentin was the son of Mr and Mrs Grimble Vallentin. His grandfather was Colonel Finnis, said to be the first victim of the Indian mutiny. His uncle, Major Vallentin was also killed in action during the Boer War. Educated at Wellington College he joined the Army in August 1899, being promoted to lieutenant in 1900. He served at Curragh, County Kildare with the 6th Battalion, Rifle Brigade then on its embodiment he was attached to the 3rd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment serving in the South African war (1899 to 1902). He saw service in the Orange River Colony and in the Transvaal until mid 1902. For this he received Queen's Medal and five Clasps. He joined the South Staffordshire Regiment in June 1905. He fought in the European War (WWI) taking part in the landing at Zeebrugge on 7th October and in the first battle of Ypres. The day before he was killed his Regiment's 2nd battalion had been formed into one small one under Captain Vallentin's command.
Additional information
Captain Vallentin was the son of Mr and Mrs Grimble Vallentin. His grandfather was Colonel Finnis, said to be the first victim of the Indian mutiny. His uncle, Major Vallentin was also killed in action during the Boer War. Educated at Wellington College he joined the Army in August 1899, being promoted to lieutenant in 1900. He served at Curragh, County Kildare with the 6th Battalion, Rifle Brigade then on its embodiment he was attached to the 3rd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment serving in the South African war (1899 to 1902). He saw service in the Orange River Colony and in the Transvaal until mid 1902. For this he received Queen's Medal and five Clasps. He joined the South Staffordshire Regiment in June 1905. He fought in the European War (WWI) taking part in the landing at Zeebrugge on 7th October and in the first battle of Ypres. The day before he was killed his Regiment's 2nd battalion had been formed into one small one under Captain Vallentin's command.
(His old School)
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium, also at St Leonard's Parish Church, Hythe and in the Garrison Church at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffordshire
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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