Bernard Vann facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernard William Vann
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| Born | 9 July 1887 Rushden, Northamptonshire, England |
| Died | 3 October 1918 (aged 31) Ramicourt, France |
| Buried |
Bellicourt British Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1918 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Sherwood Foresters |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards |
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| Other work | Footballer |
Lieutenant Colonel Bernard William Vann (born July 9, 1887 – died October 3, 1918) was a brave English soldier. He received the Victoria Cross (VC), which is the highest award for bravery in the face of the enemy. This award is given to soldiers from Britain and Commonwealth countries.
Bernard Vann was also a priest in the Church of England. He was the only priest from the Church of England to receive the Victoria Cross during the World War I for his actions as a fighting soldier.
Contents
Bernard Vann's Early Life
| Personal information | |||
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| Playing position | Outside left, centre forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| Hugglescote United | |||
| Irthlingborough Town | |||
| Northampton Town | |||
| 1906 | Burton United | 5 | (1) |
| 1906 | Derby County | 3 | (0) |
| 1907 | Leicester Fosse | 0 | (0) |
| Mansfield Wesley | |||
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Bernard Vann was born on July 9, 1887, in Rushden, Northamptonshire. His parents, Alfred George Collins Vann and Hannah Elizabeth Vann, were both teachers. He went to Chichele College in Higham Ferrers, where his father was the headmaster.
A Talented Footballer
Vann loved playing football. He played for amateur teams like Hugglescote United, Irthlingborough, and Northampton Town. In the 1906-1907 season, he played for Burton United, which was a professional club. He played five games for them.
After that, he joined Derby County and played three league games. Later that year, he also played two non-league games for Leicester Fosse.
University and Priesthood
From 1907 to 1910, Vann studied History at Jesus College, Cambridge. While at Cambridge, he was a sergeant in the Officers' Training Corps. He also continued to play football for Mansfield Wesley. In his final year, 1910, he was a "hockey blue" for the university, meaning he was a top player.
After finishing university, Vann taught at Ashby-de-la-Zouch Grammar School. However, he soon decided to become a priest. He became a deacon in the Church of England in October 1910. In December 1911, he was ordained as a priest. He worked as a curate at St Barnabas' Church and then at St Saviour's Church in Leicester. In January 1913, he became a chaplain and assistant teacher at Wellingborough School.
Bernard Vann in World War I
When World War I began, Bernard Vann wanted to help. He first volunteered to be a military chaplain. But because of delays, he decided to join the infantry instead. He first joined the Artists' Rifles. Soon after, on September 1, 1914, he became an officer in the 1/8th Battalion of The Sherwood Foresters.
Early Bravery and Awards
Vann and his battalion served in the Ypres Salient starting in February 1915. This was a very dangerous area. On April 24, 1915, during a fight at Kemmel, the trench he was in was bombed. Even though he was wounded, he bravely organized the defense. He also rescued men who were buried under heavy fire. He refused to leave his post until he was ordered to. For his bravery, he was promoted to lieutenant on April 26, 1915, and then to temporary captain two months later.
Vann showed great courage again in late July and early August at Hooge. He helped another officer hold the battle line. He also led patrols into German trenches to gather important information. For his actions during this time, he received the Military Cross (MC).
Personal Loss and Return to Duty
On September 25, 1915, his brother Arthur was killed at the Battle of Loos. The next month, Vann was wounded during fighting at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. He was sent back to England for treatment. He returned to the front lines in June 1916. His rank of captain became permanent, and he was soon promoted to acting major.
In August 1916, Vann received a bar to his Military Cross. This meant he had earned the award a second time. The award was for "conspicuous gallantry in action." He led a brave raid against enemy trenches, capturing five prisoners himself. He showed great courage and determination. The award also noted he had done "fine work" many times before. Later that year, he suffered from nerve pain in his neck and was sent back to England for medical care.
More Awards and Marriage
Vann was declared fit for duty in March 1917. He went on a special command training course. Six months later, he returned to the front as the commander of the 2/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. During this time, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre from France. The next month, he was promoted to acting lieutenant colonel. On December 27, 1917, he married Doris Victoria Strange-Beck. She was a Canadian nurse working at a hospital in England.
Final Actions and Sacrifice
In the first part of 1918, Vann spent time in the hospital or on leave. In June 1918, he took command of the 1/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. On September 29, 1918, during the Battle of St Quentin Canal, he led his battalion. They had to cross a canal through thick fog and under heavy enemy fire. To help his troops advance, he rushed to the front line and led the charge himself. Because of his quick actions and bravery, the whole situation changed. His men were encouraged and pushed forward. In this battle, nearly 30 of his men were killed, and over a hundred were wounded.
Just a few days later, on October 3, 1918, he was again leading his battalion. This time, they were crossing the Beaurevoir-Bonsomme Line near Ramicourt. Sadly, he was killed in action by an enemy sniper.
The Victoria Cross
For his incredible bravery on September 29, 1918, Bernard Vann was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC). The VC was created in 1856 and is the highest award for bravery a soldier in the British Empire can receive.
His award was special because he was the only Church of England priest in World War I to receive the VC for fighting. The official description of his actions said he showed "most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and fine leadership." It mentioned how he skillfully led his battalion across the canal in thick fog under heavy fire. When the attack stopped, he rushed to the front line and led his men forward. His actions and "absolute contempt for danger" changed the battle. He even attacked an enemy field-gun by himself and stopped three of the enemy soldiers. The description ended by saying the day's success was largely due to his "splendid gallantry and fine leadership."
Bernard Vann was survived by his wife, who was expecting their son. King George V presented Vann's Victoria Cross to his widow at Buckingham Palace on November 26, 1919.
Vann was first buried close to where he died. In 1920, his body was moved to Bellicourt British Cemetery in Aisne, France. The words on his headstone say, "A Great Priest Who Is In His Days Pleased God." These words were chosen by the Bishop of Peterborough.
Honoring a Hero: Medals and Memorials
Bernard Vann's medals stayed with his family for many years. These included the Victoria Cross, the Military Cross and bar, the 1914–15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. In May 2010, the VC and the MC and bar were bought by Lord Ashcroft. They are now on display at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery in the Imperial War Museum in London.
There are many memorials to remember Bernard Vann.
- A plaque is on the house where he was born in Rushden.
- In Coates, Gloucestershire, where his family moved, his name is on the roll of honor at St Matthew's Church and on the village war memorial.
- At the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Newark-on-Trent, where the 8th Sherwood Foresters are remembered, there is a memorial.
- A memorial plaque is also in the former St Barnabas' Church in Leicester, where he used to be a curate.
On November 8, 2014, a special plaque was revealed outside Pride Park Stadium, the home of Derby County. This plaque honors Vann and five other Derby County players who died during World War I.
On September 29, 2018, his grandsons unveiled a special stone in Rushden to remember him. His grandson Michael also unveiled a memorial plaque in the chapel at Wellingborough School on November 10, 2018.
