Frank Lester

Frank Lester VC (18 February 1896-12 October 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 22 years old, and a Private in the 10th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 12 October 1918 at Neuvilly, France, during the clearing of the village, Private Lester, with a party of seven men and an officer, was the first to enter a house from the back door and shot two Germans who were inside. As the party started to leave the house they found the street was swept by fire and an enemy sniper was covering the exit. Private Lester volunteered to tackle the sniper, which he did, but in killing him was himself mortally wounded.

Grave/memorial at Buried at Neuvilly Communal Cemetery Extension, France. 3m N of Le Cateau. Row B. Grave 15. Headstone. He is also commemorated on the family memorial in Holy Trinity Churchyard, Hoylake, Wirral.

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*VCs of the First World War - The Final Days 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 2000)

External links

* [http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/ggfrltom.htm Burial location of Frank Lester] "France"
* [http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bblester.htm News item] "Frank Lester's Victoria Cross sold at auction"