Bernard Vann

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Bernard William Vann VC MC & Bar Croix de Guerre avec Palme, France) (9 July 1887 - 3 October 1918) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Vann was born in Rushden, Northamptonshire and graduated from Jesus College, Cambridge. He was ordained as a minister and became a schoolmaster. He was a footballer who as a centre-forward assisted Northampton Town and in 1906 played 12 games for Burton United F.C. (who were then a League club) before making his three League appearances for Derby County in 1906-07.^[1]

[edit] VC action

He was 31 years old, and an Acting Lieutenant Colonel in the 1/8th Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), British Army, comd. 1/6th Battalion during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 29 September 1918 at Bellenglise and Lehaucourt, France, Lieutenant Colonel Vann led his battalion with great skill across the Canal du Nord through a very thick fog and under heavy fire. When the attack was held up by fire of all descriptions from the front and right flank, the colonel, realising the importance of the advance going forward with the barrage, rushed up to the firing line and led the line forward himself. Later he rushed a field gun single-handed and knocked out three of the detachment. He was killed four days later leading his battalion in attack.

He was killed in action, shot by a sniper at Rammicourt, France, on 3 October 1918.