Richard Wakeford
Captain, 2nd /4th Battalion. Hampshire Regiment
- Register No.
- 1257 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain (register: Temp. Captain) all Captains →
- Unit
- 2nd /4th Battalion. Hampshire Regiment all Hampshire Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 13 May 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- the 13th July 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Born
- 23rd July 1921 at London
- Died
- 27th August 1972 at Leatherhead, Surrey
- Memorial / grave
- Randall's Park Crematorium, Leatherhead, Surrey
- Medal held by
- The Worshipful Haberdashers Company, City
Digest of citation
Captain WakeFord was in command of the company which was leading the attack on the two hills near Cassino, Italy on 13th May 1944. Armed with a revolver, and accompanied by his orderly, he killed several of the enemy, taking 20 prisoners. The final objective, a house vigorously defended by a German officer in five men, was attacked by Captain Wakeford, who was driven back twice by grenades, before he managed a to make final run to reach the window, through which he was able to throw his grenades. Some of the enemy were killed and wounded, the remainder surrendered. The following day, after the initial surprise had been lost, a tank having become bogged down, they came under extremely heavy fire from the enemy which caused many casualties. Although wounded in both arms and the face, Captain Wakeford crossed the start line, leading his men forward. On the way up the Hill they came under heavy fire from Spandau guns. Despite his wounds he led an attack and dealt with the opposition. His company now came under heavy mortar fire and he was again wounded in the legs, but he carried on until he reached and consolidated his objective
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
WAKEFORD, Richard. (reg No. 1257).
Captain. 2nd /4th Battalion. Hampshire Regiment. * London Gazetted on the 13th July 1944.
VC Medal's Custodian is The Worshipful Haberdashers Company, City of London, London.
Born on 23rd July 1921 at London.
Died on 27th August 1972 at Leatherhead, Surrey.
Memorial at Randall's Park Crematorium, Leatherhead, Surrey.
Digest of Citation reads: Captain WakeFord was in command of the company which was leading the attack on the two hills near Cassino, Italy on 13th May 1944. Armed with a revolver, and accompanied by his orderly, he killed several of the enemy, taking 20 prisoners. The final objective, a house vigorously defended by a German officer in five men, was attacked by Captain Wakeford, who was driven back twice by grenades, before he managed a to make final run to reach the window, through which he was able to throw his grenades. Some of the enemy were killed and wounded, the remainder surrendered. The following day, after the initial surprise had been lost, a tank having become bogged down, they came under extremely heavy fire from the enemy which caused many casualties. Although wounded in both arms and the face, Captain Wakeford crossed the start line, leading his men forward. On the way up the Hill they came under heavy fire from Spandau guns. Despite his wounds he led an attack and dealt with the opposition. His company now came under heavy mortar fire and he was again wounded in the legs, but he carried on until he reached and consolidated his objective.
* Royal Hampshire Regiment.
Additional information:. Major Wakeford became a barrister, and in 1964 was appointed a Master of the Chancery Division of the Supreme Court. On his death on 27th August 1972, he was cremated at Randall Park Crematorium in Leatherhead, Surrey, aged 51.
Additional information
Major Wakeford became a barrister, and in 1964 was appointed a Master of the Chancery Division of the Supreme Court. On his death on 27th August 1972, he was cremated at Randall Park Crematorium in Leatherhead, Surrey, aged 51.
* Royal Hampshire Regiment.
of London, London.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Randall's Park Crematorium, Leatherhead, Surrey
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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