All The Victoria Crosses of World War Two

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Below you will find the name of every Victoria Cross holder and the citation that accompanies it, that was awarded during the Second World War.

I have as accurately as possible put them all in chronological order using the information provided on the citation. Where no date is given I have used either the award date or the publish date whichever was the earliest of the two. I did think about listing them in alphabetical order or even categorising them by the campaign but thought by placing them in chronological order you would read them as the war progressed to its end in 1945 and maybe see something a bit deeper about this world struggle for freedom. So you can see some small cogs that were all part of the big fighting machine from Norway to Northern France and the Battle of Britain, North Africa and through into Italy, The campaign in Burma, The continuous assault on Germany from the air, The ground fighting from Normandy into Germany, culminating in the final victories in Europe and the Far East.

Some statistics you may find of interest that I put together whilst gathering all the info:

23 VC’s were awarded at Sea, 127 to Land actions and 32 to valour in the Air. One person was awarded two VC’s and another from the evidence and recommendation given by the enemy.

Broken down across the six years of fighting:
1940=16, 1941=22, 1942=33, 1943=25, 1944=52, 1945=34. It’s interesting to note that in the last two years of fighting, almost the same amount of VC’s were awarded as that of the previous four years.

Recipient’s nationalities are as follows: British 84, Australian 20, Indian 19, Canadian 17, Nepalese 9, Irish 8, New Zealand 8, South African 3, Danish 1, Fijian 1, Kenyan 1 and Rhodesian 1.

Finally whilst reading these citations I think it’s worth remembering that for everyone one of the 182 Victoria Cross holders who risked everything for their mates and for freedom during World War Two there was thousands of men and women from Britain and the Commonwealth who did the same all around the world in those six years but received no recognition.

To help Identify the location of a specific VC Citation I have drafted a list below showing the recipients names in alphabetical order with the corresponding post number:


Arthur Louis Aaron - 1943; Turin, Italy-air action. Post #89

Abdul Hafiz - 1944; Imphal, India. Post #105

Agansing Rai - 1944; Bishenpur, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #122

Ali Haidar - 1945; Fusignano, Italy. Post #174

Michael Allmand - 1944; Pin Hmi Road Bridge, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #116

Charles Groves Wright Anderson - 1942; Muar River, Malaya. Post #41

Eric Anderson - 1943; Wadi Akarit, Tunisia. Post #79

John Thompson McKellar Anderson - 1943; Longstop Hill, Tunisia. Post #81

Richard Wallace Annand - 1940; River Dyle, Belgium. Post #4

Cyril Joe Barton - 1944; Nuremberg, Germany-air action. Post #104

John Daniel Baskeyfield - 1944; Arnhem, Holland. Post #141

Sidney Bates - 1944; Sourdeval, France. Post #127

Ian Willoughby Bazalgette - 1944; Trossy St. Maximin, France-air action. Post #126

Stephen Halden Beattie - 1942; St. Nazaire, France. Post #45

John Beeley - 1941; Sidi Rezegh, Libya. Post #34

Bhanbhagta Gurung - 1945; Tamandu, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #165

Bhandari Ram - 1944; Arakan, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #148

Frank Gerald Blaker - 1944; Taunghi, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #123

John Henry Cound Brunt - 1944; Faenza, Italy. Post #149

Richard Henry Burton - 1944; Monte Ceco, Italy. Post #143

Robert Henry Cain - 1944; Arnhem, Holland. Post #140

George Albert Cairns - 1944; Henu Block, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #102

Donald Cameron - 1943; Kaafjord, Norway. Post #91

John Charles Campbell - 1941; Sidi Rezegh, Libya. Post #35

Kenneth Campbell - 6 April 1941; Brest, France. Post #20

Lorne MacLaine Campbell - 6 April 1943; Wadi Akarit, Tunisia. Post #78

Edward Colquhoun Charlton - 21 April 1945; Wistedt Germany. Post #176

Edward Thomas Chapman - 1945; Dortmund-Ems canal, Germany. Post # 171

Leonard Geoffrey Cheshire — 1944; Germany. Post #134

Chhelu Ram - 1943; Djebel Garci, Tunisia. Post #80

Albert Chowne - 1945; Dagua, New Guinea. Post #170

Wilwood Alexander Sandys Clarke - 1943; Guiriat El Atach, Tunisia. Post #82

Aubrey Cosens - 1945; Mooshof, Germany. Post #159

John Alexander Cruickshank - 1944; Atlantic-air action. Post #132

Arthur Edward Cumming - 1942; Kuantan, Malaya. Post #40

David Vivian Currie - 1944; Battle of Falaise, France. Post #131

Arthur Roden Cutler - 1941; Merdjayoun-Damour, Lebanon. Post #27

Thomas Currie Derrick - 1943; Sattelberg, New Guinea. Post #96

Dennis Donnini - 1945; Roer, Holland. Post #153

Thomas Frank Durrant - 1942; St. Nazaire, France. Post #48

George Harold Eardley - 1944; Overloon, Holland. Post #144

John Hurst Edmondson - 1941; Tobruk, Libya. Post #21

Hughie Idwal Edwards - 1941; Bremen, Germany-air action. Post #28

Keith Elliott - 1942; Ruweisat, Egypt. Post #58

Harold Marcus Ervine-Andrews - 1940; Dunkirk, France. Post #8

Eugene Esmonde - 1942; Straits of Dover, England-air action. Post #42

Fazal Din - 1945; Meiktila, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #162

Edward Stephen Fogarty Fegen - 1940; Atlantic. Post #17

Henry Robert Bowreman Foote - 1942; Libya. Post #50

Rev. John Weir Foote - 1942; Dieppe Raid, France. Post #62

Ian Edward Fraser - 1945; Johore Straits, Singapore. Post #183

John Alexander French - 1942; Milne Bay, New Guinea. Post #64

The Hon. Christopher Furness - 1940; Arras, France. Post #7

Gaje Ghale - 1943; Chin Hills, Burma (now Myanmar). Post 94

Ganju Lama - 1944; Ningthoukhong, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #117

Philip John Gardner - 1941; Tobruk, Libya. Post #36

Donald Edward Garland - 1940; Albert Canal, Belgium-air combat. Post #9

Gian Singh - 1945; Kamye, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #163

Guy Penrose Gibson - 1943; Mohne Dam, Germany-air combat. Post #87

James Heather Gordon - 1941; Djezzine, Syria. Post #30

Thomas William Gould - 1942; Crete, Mediterranean. Post #53

Percival Eric Gratwick - 1942; Miteiriya Ridge, Egypt. Post #66

Robert Hampton Gray - 1945; Honshū, Japan-air combat. Post #185

Thomas Gray - 1940; Albert Canal, Belgium-air combat. Post #10

John Hollington Grayburn - 1944; Arnhem, Holland. Post #135

George Gristock - 1940; River Escaut, Belgium. Post #5

George Ward Gunn - 1941; Sidi Rezegh, Libya. Post #33

Arthur Stanley Gurney - 1942; Tel-el-Eisa, Egypt. Post #59

John Hannah - 1940; Antwerp, Belgium-air combat. Post #16

Henry Eric Harden - 1945; Brachterbeek, Holland. Post #155

John Pennington Harman - 1944; Kohima, India. Post #106

John William Harper - 1944; Antwerp, Belgium. Post #142

John Daniel Hinton - 1941; Kalamai, Greece. Post #22

Charles Ferguson Hoey - 1944; Ngakyedauk Pass, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #101

Stanley Elton Hollis - 1944; Normandy, France. Post #114

David Ernest Hornell - 1944; Faroes, Atlantic-air combat. Post #125

Alec George Horwood - 1944; Kyauchaw, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #98

Alfred Clive Hulme - 1941; Crete, Greece. Post #24

Thomas Peck Hunter - 1945; Lake Comacchio, Italy. Post #180

James Joseph Bernard Jackman - 1941; Tobruk, Libya. Post #37

Norman Cyril Jackson - 1944; Schweinfurt, Germany-air combat. Post #107

David Auldjo Jamieson - 1944; Grimbosq, France. Post #128

Francis Arthur Jefferson - 1944; Monte Casino, Italy. Post #112

Kamal Ram - 1944; River Gari, Italy. Post #109

Karamjeet Singh Judge - 1945; Meiktila, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #166

Richard Kelliher - 1943; New Guinea. Post #90

Edward Kenna - 1945; Wewak, New Guinea. Post #179

John Patrick Kenneally - 1943; Dj. Arada, Tunisia. Post #84

Geoffrey Charles Tasker Keyes - 1941; Beda Littoria, Libya. Post #32

William Henry Kibby - 1942; Miteiriya Ridge, Egypt. Post #65

Bruce Steel Kingsbury - 1942; Isurava, New Guinea. Post #63

George Arthur Knowland - 1945; Kangaw, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #156

Lachhiman Gurung - 1945; Taungdaw, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #178

Lalbahadur Thapa - 1943; Rass-es-Zouai, Tunisia. Post #77

Anders Frederik Emil Victor Schau Lassen - 1945; Lake Comacchio, Italy. Post #173

Herbert Wallace Le Patourel - 1942; Tebourba, Tunisia. Post 71

Nigel Gray Leakey - 1941; Colito, Abyssinia (now Ethiopia). Post #23

Roderick Alastair Brook Learoyd - 1940; Dortmund-Ems Canal, Germany-air combat. Post #13

Ian Oswald Liddell - 1945; Lingen, Germany. Post #172

John Wallace Linton - 1943; Mediterranean. Post #86

David Samuel Anthony Lord - 1944; Arnhem, Holland-air action. Post #139

Charles Antony, The Lord, Lyell - 1943; Dj Bou Arada, Tunisia. Post #83

John Bernard Mackey - 1945; Tarakan Island, Borneo. Post #176

James Joseph Magennis - 1945; Johore Straits, Singapore. Post #184

John Keefer Mahony - 1944; River Melfa, Italy. Post #113

Hugh Gordon Malcolm - 1942; Chougui, Tunisia-air combat. Post #70

Leslie Thomas Manser - 1942; Cologne, Germany-air combat. Post #51

Jack Foreman Mantle - 1940; Portland, England. Post #11

Charles Cecil Ingersoll Merritt - 1942; Dieppe, France. Post #61

Rawdon Hume Middleton - 1942; Turin, Italy-air combat. Post #69

Anthony Cecil Capel Miers - 1942; Corfu Harbour, Greece. Post #56

George Allan Mitchell - 1944; Damiano Ridge, Italy. Post #99

Andrew Charles Mynarski - 1944; Cambrai, France-air combat. Post #118

Namdeo Jadhao - 1945; Senio River, Italy. Post #175

Nand Singh - 1944; Maungdaw-Buthidaung Road, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #103

Netrabahadur Thapa - 1944; Bishenpur, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #121

John Dering Nettleton - 1942; Augsberg, Germany-air combat. Post #49

Augustus Charles Newman - 1942; St. Nazaire, France. Post #47

William Ellis Newton - 1943; New Guinea-air combat. Post #74

Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu - 1943; Tebaga Gap, Tunisia. Post #76

Harry Nicholls - 1940; River Escaut, Belgium. Post #6

Eric James Brindley Nicolson - 1940; Southampton, England-air combat. Post #15

Gerard Ross Norton - 1944; Montegridolfo, Italy. Post #133

John Robert Osborn - 1941; Mount Butler, Hong Kong. Post #39

Robert Anthony Maurice Palmer - 1944; Cologne, Germany-air combat. Post #151

Parkash Singh - 1943; Donbaik, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #157

Frank John Partridge - 1945; Bougainville, New Guinea. Post #182

Frederick Thornton Peters - 1942; Oran, Algeria. Post #68

Basil Charles Godfrey Place - 1943; Kaafjord, Norway. Post #92

Patrick Anthony Porteous - 1942; Dieppe, France. Post #60

Prakash Singh - 1945; Kanlan Ywathit, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #73

Premindra Singh Bhagat - 1941; Gallabat, Abyssinia (now Ethiopia). Post #18

Lionel Ernest Queripel - 1944; Arnhem, Holland. Post #137

Ram Sarup Singh - 1944; Kennedy Peak, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #146

John Neil Randle - 1944; Kohima, India. Post #108

Reginald Roy Rattey - 1945; Bougainville, Solomon Islands. Post #168

Claude Raymond - 1945; Talaku, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #167

William Reid - 1943; Dusseldorf, Germany-air combat. Post #95

Richhpal Ram - 1941; Keren, Eritrea. Post #19

Peter Scawen Watkinson Roberts - 1942; Crete, Mediterranean. Post #52

Maurice Albert Windham Rogers - 1944; Anzio, Italy. Post #129

Gerard Broadmead Roope - 1940; West Ford, Norway. Post #2

Robert Edward Dudley Ryder - 1942; St. Nazaire, France. Post #44

William Alfred Savage - 1942; St. Nazaire, France. Post #46

Arthur Stewart King Scarf - 1941; Singora, Malaya-air combat. Post #38

Derek Anthony Seagrim - 1943; Mareth Line, Tunisia. Post #75

Alfred Edward Sephton - 1941; Crete, Mediterranean. Post #31

Sher Bahadur Thapa - 1944; San Marino, Italy. Post #136

Sher Shah - 1945; Kyeyebyin, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #154

Robert St. Vincent Sherbrooke - 1942; North Cape, Norway. Post #72

William Philip Sidney - 1944; Anzio, Italy. Post #100

Ernest Alvia ("Smokey") Smith - 1944; River Savio, Italy. Post #145

Quentin George Murray Smythe - 1942; Alem Hamza, Egypt. Post #54

Richard Been Stannard - 1940; Namsos, Norway. Post #14

Leslie Thomas Starcevich - 1945; Beaufort, Borneo. Post #181

James Stokes - 1945; Kervenheim, Germany. Post #161

Sefanaia Sukanaivalu - 1944; Bougainville, Solomon Islands. Post #120

Edwin Swales - 1945; Pforzheim, Germany-air combat. Post #158

Thaman Gurung - 1944; Monte San Bartolo, Italy. Post #147

George Thompson - 1945; Dortmund-Ems Canal, Germany-air combat. Post #152

Frederick Albert Tilston - 1945; Hochwald Forest, Germany. Post #160

Frederick George Topham - 1945; Rhine, Germany. Post #169

Leonard Henry Trent - 1943; Amsterdam, Holland-air combat. Post #85

Lloyd Allan Trigg - 1943; Atlantic-air combat. Post #88

Paul Triquet - 1943; Casa Berardi, Italy. Post #97

Tulbahadur Pun - 1944; Mogaung, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #119

Hanson Victor Turner - 1944; Ningthoukhong, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #115

Victor Buller Turner - 1942; El Aqqaqir, Egypt. Post #67

Umrao Singh - 1944; Kaladan Valley, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #150

Charles Hazlitt Upham - 1941; Crete, Greece and 1942; Ruweisat Ridge, Egypt. Posts #25 and #57

Richard Wakeford - 1944; Cassino, Italy. Post #110

Adam Herbert Wakenshaw - 1942; Mersa Matruh, Egypt. Post #55

Malcolm David Wanklyn - 1941; Sicily, Mediterranean. Post #26

Bernard Armitage Warburton Warburton-Lee - 1940; Narvik, Norway. Post #3

James Allen Ward - 1941; Munster, Germany-air combat. Post #29

Tasker Watkins - 1944; Barfour, France. Post #130

William Basil Weston - 1945; Meiktila, Burma (now Myanmar). Post #164

Thomas Wilkinson - 1942; Java Sea, Malaya. Post #43

Eric Charles Twelves Wilson - 1940; Observation Hill, Somaliland (now Somalia). Post #12

Peter Harold Wright - 1943; Salerno, Italy. Post #93

Yeshwant Ghadge - 1944; Upper Tiber Valley, Italy. Post #124

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Gerard Broadmead Roope

Rank: Lieutenant-Commander

Unit: HMS Glowworm, Royal Navy

Awarded: 12th February 1946

Nationality: British

The citation in the London Gazette of 6th July 1945, gives the following details:

On the 8th April, 1940, H.M.S. Glowworm was proceeding alone in heavy weather towards a rendezvous in West Fjord, when she met and engaged two enemy destroyers, scoring at least one hit on them. The enemy broke off the action and headed North, to lead the Glowworm on to his supporting forces. The Commanding Officer, whilst correctly appreciating the intentions of the enemy, at once gave chase. The German heavy cruiser, Admiral Hipper, was sighted closing the Glowworm at high speed and an enemy report was sent which was received by H.M.S. Renown. Because of the heavy sea, the Glowworm could not shadow the enemy and the Commanding Officer therefore decided to attack with torpedoes and then to close in order to inflict as much damage as possible. Five torpedoes were fired and later the remaining five, but without success. The Glowworm was badly hit; one gun was out of action and her speed was much reduced, but with the other three guns still firing she closed and rammed the Admiral Hipper. As the Glowworm drew away, she opened fire again and scored one hit at a range of 400 yards. The Glowworm, badly stove in forward and riddled with enemy fire, heeled over to starboard, and the Commanding Officer gave the order to abandon her. Shortly afterwards she capsized and sank. The Admiral Hipper hove to for at least an hour picking up survivors but the loss of life was heavy, only 31 out of the Glowworm's complement of 149 being saved.


Full information concerning this action has only recently been received and the VICTORIA CROSS is bestowed in recognition of the great valour of the Commanding Officer who, after fighting off a superior force of destroyers, sought out and reported a powerful enemy unit, and then fought his ship to the end against overwhelming odds, finally ramming the enemy with supreme coolness and skill.

Additional information:

Not only was this the first VC of the war but it was the only one awarded through a recommendation from the enemy. Kaptain zur See Heye wrote to the Admiralty via the Red Cross praising the captain and crews gallantry.

Lt-Cdr. Roope went down with his ship and has no known grave.

CWGC :: Certificate

Portsmouth Naval Memorial

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Bernard Armitage Warburton-Lee

Rank: Captain

Unit: HMS Hardy, Royal Navy

Awarded: 2nd July 1940

Nationality: British

The citation in the London Gazette for 7th June, 1940, gives the following information:

For gallantry, enterprise and daring in command of the Force engaged in the first Battle of Narvik, on the 10th of April, 1940. On being ordered to carry out an attack on Narvik, he learned from Tranoy that the enemy held the place in much greater force than had been thought. He signalled to the Admiralty that the enemy were reported to be holding Narvik in force, that six Destroyers and one Submarine were there, that the channel might be mined, and that he intended to attack at dawn, high water. The Admiralty replied that two Norwegian Coast Defence Ships might be in German hands that he alone could judge whether to attack and that whatever decision he made would have full support. Captain Warburton-Lee gave out the plan for his attack and led his Flotilla of five Destroyers up the Fjord in heavy snowstorms, arriving off Narvik just after daybreak. He took the enemy completely by surprise and made three successful attacks on warships and merchantmen in the harbour. The last attack was made only after anxious debate. On the Flotilla withdrawing, five enemy Destroyers of superior gun-power were encountered and engaged. The Captain was mortally wounded by a shell which hit "Hardy's" bridge. His last signal was "Continue to engage the enemy".

Additional Infomation:

CWGC :: Certificate

Ballangen New Cemetery, Norway

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Richard Wallace Annand

Rank: 2nd Lieutenant

Unit: 2nd Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, British Army

Awarded: 3rd September 1940

Nationality: British


The citation in "The London Gazette," for 23rd August 1940, gives the following details:

For most conspicuous gallantry on the 15th-16th May 1940 when the platoon under his command was on the south side of the River Dyle, astride a blown bridge. During the night a strong attack was beaten off, but about 11 a.m. the enemy again launched a violent attack and pushed forward a bridging party into the sunken bottom of the river. Second Lieutenant Annand attacked this party, but when ammunition ran out he went forward himself over open ground, with total disregard for enemy mortar and machine-gun fire. Reaching the top of the bridge, he drove out the party below, inflicting over twenty casualties with hand grenades. Having been wounded he rejoined his platoon, had his wound dressed, and then carried on in command.


During the evening another attack was launched and again Second Lieutenant Annand went forward with hand grenades and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy.


When the order to withdraw was received, he withdrew his platoon, but learning on the way back that his batman was wounded and had been left behind, he returned at once to the former position and brought him back in a wheelbarrow, before losing consciousness as the result of wounds.

Additional Information:

Richard Annand finshed the war a Captain

He later lost his hearing and was discharged from the battalion.

After serving in a variety of posts he was offered a commission in the Pay Corps which he declined.

In 1948 he was invalided out of the Army.

Durham Crematorium

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George Gristock

Rank: Warrant Officer II (CSM)

Unit: 2nd Battalion, The Royal Norfolk Regiment, British Army

Awarded: 24th June 1940

Nationality: British

The following details are given in the London Gazette of 23rd August, 1940:

For most conspicuous gallantry on the 21st May 1940 when his company was holding a position on the line of the River Escaut, south of Tournai. After a prolonged attack, the enemy succeeded in breaking through beyond the company's right flank which was consequently threatened. Company Sergeant-Major Gristock having organised a party of eight riflemen from company headquarters, went forward to cover the right flank.

Realising that an enemy machine-gun had moved forward to a position from which it was inflicting heavy casualties on his company, Company Sergeant-Major Gristock went on, with one man as connecting file, to try to put it out of action. Whilst advancing, he came under heavy machine-gun fire from the opposite bank and was severely wounded in both legs, his right knee being badly smashed. He nevertheless gained his fire position, some twenty yards from the enemy machine-gun post, undetected, and by well aimed rapid fire killed the machine-gun crew of four and put their gun out of action. He then dragged himself back to the right flank position from which he refused to be evacuated until contact with the battalion on the right had been established and the line once more made good.

By his gallant action, the position of the company was secured, and many casualties prevented. Company Sergeant-Major Gristock has since died of his wounds.

Additional Infomation:

CSM Gristock made it back to his unit and was evacuated to Brighton Hospital where he died several days later from his wounds.

CWGC :: Certificate

Bear Road Cemetery, Brighton

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Harry Nicholls

Rank: Lance Corporal

Unit: 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, British Army

Awarded: 22nd June 1945

Nationality: British

The following details are given in the London Gazette of 26th July, 1940:

On the 21st May, 1940, Lance-corporal Nicholls was commanding a section in the right-forward platoon of his company when the company was ordered to counter-attack. At the very start of the advance he was wounded in the arm by shrapnel, but continued to lead his section forward; as the company came over a small ridge, the enemy opened heavy machine-gun fire at close range.

Lance-corporal Nicholls, realising the danger to the company, immediately seized a Bren gun and dashed forward towards the machine guns, firing from the hip. He succeeded in silencing first one machine-gun
and then two other machine guns, in spite of being again severely wounded.

Lance-corporal Nicholls then went on up to a higher piece of ground and engaged the German infantry massed behind, causing many casualties, and continuing to fire until he had no more ammunition left.
He was wounded at least four times in all, but absolutely refused to give in. There is no doubt that his gallant action was instrumental in enabling his company to reach its objective, and in causing the enemy to fall back across the River Scheldt.

Lance-Corporal Nicholls has since been reported to have been killed in action.*

Additional Infomation:

*Harry Nicholls was captured when he ran out of ammunition and survived the war.

Southern Cemetery, West Bridgford,
Nottinghamshire

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The Hon. Christopher Furness

Rank: Lieutenant

Unit: 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards, British Army

Awarded: 30th July 1946

Nationality: British

The citation in the London Gazette of 5th February, 1946, gives the following details:

Lieutenant the Honourable C Furness was in command of the Carrier Platoon, Welsh Guards, during the period 17th-24th May, 1940, when his Battalion formed part of the garrison of Arras. During this time his Platoon was constantly patrolling in advance of or between the widely dispersed parts of the perimeter, and fought many local actions with the enemy Lieutenant Fumess displayed the highest qualities of leadership and dash on all these occasions and imbued his command with a magnificent offensive spirit.

During the evening of 23rd May, Lieutenant Furness was wounded when on patrol but he refused to be evacuated By this time the enemy, considerably reinforced, had encircled the town on three sides and withdrawal to Douai was ordered during the night of 23rd-24th May. Lieutenant Furness's Platoon, together with a small force of light tanks, were ordered to cover the withdrawal of the transport consisting of over 40 vehicles.

About 0230 hours, 24th May, the enemy attacked on both sides of the town. At one point the enemy advanced to the road along which the transport columns were withdrawing, bringing them under very heavy small arms and anti-tank gun fire. Thus the whole column was blocked and placed in serious jeopardy Immediately Lieutenant Furness, appreciating the seriousness of the situation, and in spite of his wounds, decided to attack the enemy, who were located in a strongly entrenched position behind wire.

Lieutenant Furness advanced with three carriers, supported by the light tanks At once the enemy opened up with very heavy fire from small arms and anti-tank guns. The light tanks were put out of action, but Lieutenant Furness continued to advance. He reached the enemy position and circled it several times at close range, inflicting heavy losses. All three Carriers were hit and most of their crews killed or wounded. His own Carrier was disabled and the driver and Bren gunner killed. He then engaged the enemy in personal hand-to-hand combat until he was killed. His magnificent act of self sacrifice against hopeless odds, and when already wounded, made the enemy withdraw for the time being and enabled the large column of vehicles to get clear unmolested and covered the evacuation of some of the wounded of his own Carrier Platoon and the light tanks.

Additional Infomation:
Lt. Furness has no known grave.

CWGC :: Certificate

Dunkirk Town CWGC Cemetery

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Harold Marcus Ervine-Andrews


Rank: Lieutenant Acting Captain

Unit: The East Lancashire Regiment, British Army

Awarded: 6th August 1940

Nationality: Irish

The citation in the London Gazette of 30th July, 1940, gives the following details:

For most conspicuous gallantry on active service on the night of the 31st May/1st June 1940. Captain Ervine-Andrews took over about a thousand yards of the defences in front of Dunkirk, his line extending along the Canal de Bergues, and the enemy attacked at dawn. For over ten hours, notwithstanding intense artillery, mortar, and machine-gun fire, and in the face of vastly superior enemy forces, Captain Ervine-Andrews and his company held their position.

The enemy, however, succeeded in crossing the canal on both flanks; and, owing to superior enemy forces, a company of Captain Ervine-Andrews' own battalion, which was despatched to protect his flanks; was, unable to gain contact with him. There being danger of one of his platoons being driven in, he called for volunteers to fill the gap, and then, going forward, climbed on to the top of a straw-roofed barn, from which he engaged the enemy with rifle and light automatic fire, though, at the time, the enemy were sending mortar-bombs and armour-piercing bullets through the roof.

Captain Ervine-Andrews personally accounted for seventeen of the enemy with his rifle, and for many more with a Bren gun. Later, when the house which he held had been shattered by enemy fire and set alight, and all his ammunition had been expended, he sent back his wounded in the remaining carrier. Captain Ervine-Andrews then collected the remaining eight men of his company from this forward position, and when almost completely surrounded, led them back to the cover afforded by the company in the rear, swimming or wading up to the chin in water for over a mile; having brought all that remained of 'his company safely back, he once again took up position.

Throughout this action, Captain Ervine-Andrews displayed courage, tenacity, and devotion to duty, worthy of the highest traditions of the British Army, and his magnificent example imbued his own troops with the dauntless fighting spirit which he himself displayed.

Additional Infomation:

Harold Marcus Ervine-Andrews was later promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Glynn Valley Crematorium, Cornwall.
Ashes were scattered in his garden at Gorran.

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Donald Garland

Rank: Flying Officer

Unit: No.12 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded: 11th June 1940

Nationality: Irish

The citation in "The London Gazette”, for 11th June, 1940, gives the following details:

Flying Officer Garland was the pilot and Sergeant Gray the observer of the leading aircraft of a formation of five aircraft that attacked a bridge over the Albert Canal which had not been destroyed and was allowing the enemy to advance into Belgium. All the air crews of the squadron concerned volunteered for the operation and, after five crews had been selected by drawing lots, the attack was delivered at low altitude against this vital target. Orders were issued that this bridge was to be destroyed at all costs. As had been anticipated, exceptionally intense machine gun and anti-aircraft fire was encountered, and the bridge area was heavily protected by enemy fighters. In spite of this the formation successfully delivered a dive bombing attack from the lowest practicable altitude and British fighters in the vicinity reported that the target was obscured by the bombs bursting on it and in its vicinity.

Only one aircraft returned from this mission out of the five concerned. The pilot of this aircraft reports that in addition to the extremely heavy antiaircraft fire, through which our aircraft dived to attack the objective, they were also attacked by a large number of enemy fighters after they had released their bombs on the target. Much of the success of this vital operation must be attributed to the formation leader; Flying Officer Garland, and to the coolness and resource of Sergeant Gray, who navigated Flying Officer Garland's aircraft under most difficult conditions in such a manner that the whole formation was able successfully to attack the target in spite of subsequent heavy losses.

Flying Officer Garland and Sergeant Gray unfortunately failed to return from the mission.

Additional Infomation:

There are several version's that account for the death of Garland. Some sources suggest that he crashed down in the place of Lanaken, Belgium. Another account suggests he died after his action in a hospital in Maastricht. The 3rd crew member did not get a mention as he had no decisive role during this action.

CWGC :: Certificate

Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium

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Thomas Gray

Rank: Sergeant (Observer)

Unit: No.12 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded: 11th June 1940

Nationality: British


The citation in "The London Gazette”, for 11th June, 1940, gives the following details:

Flying Officer Garland was the pilot and Sergeant Gray the observer of the leading aircraft of a formation of five aircraft that attacked a bridge over the Albert Canal which had not been destroyed and was allowing the enemy to advance into Belgium. All the air crews of the squadron concerned volunteered for the operation and, after five crews had been selected by drawing lots, the attack was delivered at low altitude against this vital target. Orders were issued that this bridge was to be destroyed at all costs. As had been anticipated, exceptionally intense machine gun and anti-aircraft fire was encountered, and the bridge area was heavily protected by enemy fighters. In spite of this the formation successfully delivered a dive bombing attack from the lowest practicable altitude and British fighters in the vicinity reported that the target was obscured by the bombs bursting on it and in its vicinity.

Only one aircraft returned from this mission out of the five concerned. The pilot of this aircraft reports that in addition to the extremely heavy antiaircraft fire, through which our aircraft dived to attack the objective, they were also attacked by a large number of enemy fighters after they had released their bombs on the target. Much of the success of this vital operation must be attributed to the formation leader; Flying Officer Garland, and to the coolness and resource of Sergeant Gray, who navigated Flying Officer Garland's aircraft under most difficult conditions in such a manner that the whole formation was able successfully to attack the target in spite of subsequent heavy losses.

Flying Officer Garland and Sergeant Gray unfortunately failed to return from the mission.

Additional Infomation:

CWGC :: Certificate

Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium