Henry Robert Bowreman Foote

Major General Henry Robert Bowreman Foote VC CB DSO (5 December 1904-11 November 1993) was a 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.

Life and career

Foote was born in Ishapore, India the son of Henry Bruce Foote, a major in the Royal Artillery, and his wife Jennie Elizabeth. He was the grandson of Robert Bruce Foote the geologist. He was educated at St Cyprian's School, Eastbourne, and Bedford School (from 1918 to 1923).

He joined Royal Tank Corps in 1925. He was a Staff Officer from 1939 to 1942 and a member of the British Army Staff Mission, Washington, DC USA in 1941. In 1942 he became Officer Commanding, 7th Royal Tank Regiment and it was in this post that he won the Victoria Cross. After a spell as General Staff Officer at Allied Forces Headquarters in 1944, he became Second in Command, 9th Armoured Brigade in 1945. He was Brigadier of the Royal Armoured Corps, Middle East Land Forces from 1945 to 1947 and then Officer Commanding 2nd Royal Tank Regiment from 1947 to 1948. He was at the Fighting Vehicles Proving Establishment, at the Ministry of Supply from 1948 to 1949 and commanded the 7th Armoured Brigade and the 11th Armoured Division from 1949 to 1953. He was Director General of Fighting Vehicles at the Ministry of Supply from 1953 to 1955 and Director, Royal Armoured Corps, at the War Office from 1955 until his retirement in 1958 as Major General.

Details of Award

He was 37 years old, and a T/Lieutenant Colonel in the 7th Royal Tank Regiment, British Army, Commander during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

During the period 27 May/15 June 1942 in Libya, Lieutenant Colonel Foote commanded his battalion with outstanding courage and leadership, always being at the crucial point at the right time. On 6 June, although wounded, he continued to lead his battalion from an exposed position on the outside of a tank, and succeeded in defeating the enemy's attempt to encircle two Allied divisions. On 13 June, when a number of Allied tanks had been destroyed, he went on foot, from one tank to another, encouraging the crews under intense artillery and anti-tank fire. By his magnificent example the corridor was kept open for the brigade to march through.

The medal

Royal Tank Regiment Museum, Bovington, Dorset, UK.

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.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/sussex.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(West Sussex)"
* [http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/vcgpfoot.jpgPhotograph Of Foote's Medals]