Frank Bernard Wearne

Frank Bernard Wearne VC (March 1,1894-June 28 1917) 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 23 years old, and a Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, The Essex Regiment, British Army, attached to 11th Battalion during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 28 June 1917 east of Loos, France, Second Lieutenant Wearne, commanding a small party in a raid on the enemy's trenches, had gained his objective in the face of fierce opposition and managed to maintain his position against repeated counter-attacks. Then, realising that if the left flank was lost his men would have to give way, he leaped on to the parapet and followed by his left section, ran along the top of the trench firing and throwing bombs. While doing this he was severely wounded, but continued directing operations until he received two more wounds, the second mortal.

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

*
* [http://www.spink.com/about_spink/vc.asp VC on display at Spinks] part of Lord Ashcroft's VC collection