| Richard Wallace Annand | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Dicky |
| Born | 5 November 1914 South Shields, County Durham |
| Died | 24 December 2004 (aged 90) Whitesmocks, Durham |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1938-1948 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Durham Light Infantry |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Emergency Reserve Decoration and bar |
| Other work | Deputy Lieutenant of County Durham |
Captain Richard Wallace Annand VC, ERD, DL (5 November 1914 – 24 December 2004) 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.
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Richard “Dickie” Wallace Annand was born in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, England, the son of Lieutenant-Commander Wallace Moir Annand, who was killed with the Collingwood Battalion of the Royal Naval Division at Gallipoli in June 1915.[1] He was educated at Pocklington School.
"Dickie" Annand was 25 years old, and a second lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, British Army during World War II when the following deed took place on 15 May 1940, near the River Dyle, Belgium for which he was awarded the VC. This was the first Victoria Cross won by the British Army in World War II. He later achieved the rank of captain.
For most conspicuous gallantry on the 15th-16th May 1940, when the platoon under his command was on the south side of the River Dyle, astride a blown bridge. During the night a strong attack was beaten off, but about 11 a.m. the enemy again launched a violent attack and pushed forward a bridging party into the sunken bottom of the river. Second Lieutenant Annand attacked this party, but when ammunition ran out he went forward himself over open ground, with total disregard for enemy mortar and machine-gun fire. Reaching the top of the bridge, he drove out the party below, inflicting over twenty casualties with hand grenades. Having been wounded he rejoined his platoon, had his wound dressed, and then carried on in command.
Richard Annand's platoon sergeant said later "Mr Annand came to me at platoon headquarters and asked for a box of grenades as they could hear Jerry trying to repair the bridge. Off he went and he sure must have given them a lovely time because it wasn't a great while before he was back for more.
During the evening another attack was launched and again Second Lieutenant Annand went forward with hand grenades and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. When the order to withdraw was received, he withdrew his platoon, but learning on the way back that his batman was wounded and had been left behind, he returned at once to the former position and brought him back in a wheelbarrow, before losing consciousness as the result of wounds.[2]
In 1956 Annand became a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Durham. Richard Annand died at Durham shortly after his 90th birthday on 24 December 2004. His service uniform and his Victoria Cross are on display in the Durham Light Infantry Museum.
Medal entitlement of Captain Richard Annand - 2nd Bn, Durham Light Infantry