Francis Arthur Jefferson

Francis Arthur Jefferson VC was born in 47 Devonshire Road,Ulverston, Lancashire on August 18, 1921 and died in Bolton on September 4, 1982. He was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces, which was awarded for his actions on during World War II.

Details

Francis Arthur Jefferson (Better known as Frank) was 22 years old, and a Fusilier in the 2nd Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers, British Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On May 16, 1944, during an attack on the Gustav Line, Monte Cassino, Italy, the leading company of Fusilier Jefferson's battalion had to dig in without protection. The enemy counter-attacked opening fire at short range, and Fusilier Jefferson, on his own initiative, seized a P.I.A.T. gun and, running forward under a hail of bullets, fired on the leading tank. It burst into flames and all the crew were killed. The fusilier then reloaded and went towards the second tank which withdrew before he could get within range. By this time British tanks had arrived and the enemy counter-attack was smashed.

Further information

Jefferson later achieved the rank of Lance-Corporal.

The medal

Jefferson's medal was stolen in 1982 and has not been recovered [http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/aastolen.htm] .

References

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

External links

* [http://www.fusiliersmuseum-lancashire.org.uk/pop/jefferson.html Frank Jefferson on the Lancashire Fusiliers Museum website]
* [http://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/feature/jefferson/Frankjeffersonvc.htm Frank's page on the Lancashire Fusilier Website.]