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Pat Jenkins & Donna Aitken, researched for the Blue Plaque ceremony in 2006 |
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A Rushden Hero
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Lt. Col. the Reverend Bernard William Vann, V.C., M.C & bar, Croix de Guerre
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“He was a tremendous character and leader... ...” |
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Alfred Vann was an ambitious man. Coming from a working class background, he studied hard and was determined to succeed in his chosen profession. While at
Alfred was only forty-six when he died on the 2nd September 1906 at 9, Market Place, Higham Ferrers. In his will he left £396. 17s, a small sum even in those days, and probate was granted to his eldest son, Alfred George Thomas Simpson Vann and Edward Stow, a butcher. At this time Hannah Vann’s unmarried brother, the Rev. Thomas Crompton Simpson, was rector of Coates, near Cirencester in Gloucestershire and after Alfred’s death Hannah went to live with him. Bernard seems to have regarded his Uncle’s house as his home. On his Attestation papers, signed in 1914, he gave Coates Rectory as his home address, and his wife was living there at the time of his death in 1918. On leaving school, Bernard went to teach at Ashby de la Zouche Grammar School. While there, he played soccer for Bernard went up to
“(outside right) B.W.Vann The most dashing forward on the side; very fast and clever individually; can centre well, but is inclined to be selfish”.
“Centre B.W.Vann. A dashing forward, possessing both pace and weight; is rather erratic in his passing; a good shot with either foot, he is always very dangerous in front of goal.” A few years later he became even more dangerous when faced with more serious opposition.
“Centre- B.W.Vann (Capt.) A hard-working captain and a good bustling forward. Has greatly strengthened the forward line.
Bernard was awarded his “blue” for hockey in 1910 and played for the university several times. He was also a sergeant in the University Officers’ Corp. As well as his love of sport, Bernard seems to have enjoyed public speaking. He was secretary of “The Farragoes” and a co-founder and later president of another debating society called “The Roosters”. His debating style appears to have met with some hilarity from his friends.
To B. W. Vann “With the Wild Geese” by Vannley Weyman. A story dealing with a Society called The Roosters. The author has used that vivid torrential style of writing with which we are all familiar. It is perhaps overdoing the dramatic to leave alternate sentences unfinished.. - “His speeches were early remarkable for a certain native eloquence quite untrammelled by any consideration of grammatical lucidity. These natural powers of expression gave him more difficulty when he essayed an entry into the field of erotic poetry, '..an ode to a certain local virginity'” So with his time apparently spent between the sports field and the debating society, to say nothing of his poetry, it is perhaps not too surprising that Bernard left Cambridge with a rather disappointing third in part 1 of the History Tripos and a second in part 2. Academically he did not shine but was obviously a popular and charismatic figure. In the days when most of his fellow students were the sons of rich and important families, it is remarkable that a lad from a comparatively modest background made such an impression. Bernard left
The
He obviously continued to play football because in October 1912 he was seriously injured in a game at Oundle. He was badly concussed and was in bed for a week. He convalesced at Goscote Hall, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fielding Johnson. He returned to his duties but officiating at a funeral brought on a relapse and he was forbidden to work again before the end of the year. In January 1913 he took up a new post as chaplain and assistant master, teaching History and Theology, at Wellingborough School and, not surprisingly, coached football and cricket. Then on 28th June 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated at
He signed his Attestation Papers on 31st August 1914 and became a private in the 28th ( Two days later he was commissioned into the 1/8 Battalion Sherwood Foresters as a Second Lieutenant and arrived in France in February 1915. At Kemmel, on 24th April, the small advance trench that he was in was blown up causing him to be badly bruised and he was buried for a short time. Digging himself out, he rapidly organised the defence and under heavy fire rescued others who were buried. He was made a temporary Captain on 6th June and then on 15th August he was awarded the Military Cross and in October took part in the battle of Loos. His brother, Captain A. H. A. Vann of the 12th
In October 1915 Vann was badly wounded in an assault on the Hollenzollern redoubt, but continued to throw grenades until ordered away. Subsequently the proceedings of a Medical Board state - “At the place and date recorded he was wounded in the left forearm. The bullet passed through; the wound of entrance being on the anterior surface a hand’s breadth below the bend of the elbow. The exit wound on the posterior external aspect. The radial nerve was contused. There is paralysis on this area of the distribution”. The injury was classed as “severe not permanent” and it was calculated that Vann would be ready for service after a period of one and a half months. He was promoted to Captain on 1st June 1916 and in the same month [20th] to Acting Major. He led a daring raid in September 1916 against enemy trenches near Bellacourt and finding a dug-out full of Germans he ordered them out. Two came at him with fixed bayonets, so he killed one and wounded the other and the rest surrendered. For this he won a bar to his M.C. He returned to
On 27th December 1916 Bernard was married to Doris Victoria Beck, a Canadian nursing aide.
In February 1917 the French awarded him the Croix de Guerre with palm. He was then at the
He assumed command of the 1/6 Battalion the Sherwood Foresters in September and was promoted to acting Lieutenant Colonel on 6th October 1917. After a short period in
At the end of August Bernard and Doris enjoyed a ten day leave in Lt. Col. Vann won his posthumous Victoria Cross on 29th September 1918. “For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to Duty and fine leadership during the attack at Bellenglise and Lehaucourt on 29th September 1918. He lead his battalion with great skill across the Canal du Nord through a very thick fog and heavy fire from field and machine guns. On reaching the high ground above Bellenglise, the whole attack was held up by fire of all descriptions from the front and right flank. Realizing that everything depended on the advance going forward with the barrage, Lt. Col. Vann rushed up to the firing line, and with the greatest gallantry led the line forward. By his prompt action and contempt for danger the whole situation was changed, the men were encouraged and the line swept forward. Later he rushed a field gun single handed, and knocked out three of the detachment. The success of the day was in no small degree due to the splendid gallantry and fine leadership displayed by this officer”. He was killed by a sniper on 3rd October when his Battalion was in position ready to go forward in the attack on the Fonsomme-Beaurevoir line. The Battalion captured their final objective that day, subsequently beating off all the massed German counter attacks, which were unable to dislodge them. Bernard and Doris’ son, Bernard Geoffrey was born on 2nd June 1919.
He is buried in the
“He never forgot that he was a priest of God, for it was his greatest joy to be able to do the double duty of commanding his battalion and giving Communion to the sick and wounded.” - “I can think of him only as a fighter, not merely against the enemy in the field, but a fighter against everything and everybody that was not an influence for good to his men. “His many friends will rejoice that the constant gallantry and magnificent example of this fine Christian gentleman has been recognised by the highest award the country can bestow”. Sources-
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