John Stanhope Collings-Wells

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John Stanhope Collings-Wells VC DSO (July 19, 1880 - March 27, 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.

He was 37 years old, and an Acting Lieutenant Colonel in the 4th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment, British Army, during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

In the period 22/27 March 1918 during the fighting from Marcoing to Albert, France, when the rearguard was in great danger of being captured, Lieutenant Colonel Collings-Wells called for volunteers who remained behind and held up the enemy for 1.5 hours whilst the remainder of the rearguard withdrew. During this time the colonel moved amongst his men guiding and encouraging them. On a subsequent occasion when ordered to counter-attack, and knowing that his men were extremely tired, he personally led them, and even when twice wounded, continued to lead and encourage them, until he was killed at the moment of gaining the objective.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regimental Museum, Luton, Bedfordshire, England.