Charles Pope

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Photo by Terry Macdonald

Charles Pope VC (5 March 1883-15 April 1917) was an Australian 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.

He was 34 years old, and a Lieutenant in the 11th Battalion (W.A.), Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 15 April 1917 at Louveral, France, Lieutenant Pope was in command of a very important picquet post, with orders to hold it at all costs. The enemy in greatly superior numbers attacked and surrounded the post and ammunition was running short. Lieutenant Pope, in a desperate bid to save the position, was seen to charge with his men into the very superior enemy force, by which they were overpowered, although heavy losses were inflicted. This gallant officer had obeyed the order to hold out to the last and his body, with those of most of his men, was found in proximity to 80 enemy dead.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial (Canberra, Australia).