Adam Herbert Wakenshaw

Adam Herbert Wakenshaw VC (9 June 1914-27 June 1942) 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.

Details

He was 28 years old, and a private in the 9th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, British Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 27 June 1942 south of Mersa Matruh, Egypt, Private Wakenshaw was a member of a crew of a 2 pounder (907 g) anti-tank gun, when the enemy attacked, silencing the gun and killing or seriously wounded all the crew. Private Wakenshaw's left arm was blown off but he crawled back to his gun, loaded it with one arm and fired five more rounds with considerable effect. He was then blown away from the gun by an enemy shell and was again severely wounded, but he still managed to crawl back and was preparing to fire again when a direct hit on the ammunition killed him and destroyed the gun.

Further information

His Victoria Cross medal is displayed at the Durham Light Infantry Museum & Durham Art Gallery "(Durham City, England)".

References

*British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

* [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/theartofwar/valgal/valour/INF3_0455.htm Private A.H. Wakenshaw] in "The Art of War" exhibition at the UK National Archives
* [http://www.durham.gov.uk/dli/DLI.nsf/DLINotes?readform&MODE=T&ID=6352&SURNAME=Wakenshaw Durham council profile]