World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Nicknamed "Frank," he received the award for his actions as a fusilier in the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers of the British Army on May 16, 1944 during the Battle of Monte Cassino during the Italian Campaign of World War II. Born in Ulverston, Lancashire, England, he joined the Northamptonshire Regiment of the British Army in 1942. In July 1943 he was serving with the Lancashire Fusiliers during the Allied invasion of Sicily, followed by the invasion of Italy later that year. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "On 16 May 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 PIAT gun and, running forward under a hail of bullets, fired on the leading tank. It burst into flames and its 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." In 1946 he was discharged from the British Army and in 1950 he emigrated to the US. In the 1970s he returned to England and he died in Bolton, Lancashire at the age of 61.
World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Nicknamed "Frank," he received the award for his actions as a fusilier in the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers of the British Army on May 16, 1944 during the Battle of Monte Cassino during the Italian Campaign of World War II. Born in Ulverston, Lancashire, England, he joined the Northamptonshire Regiment of the British Army in 1942. In July 1943 he was serving with the Lancashire Fusiliers during the Allied invasion of Sicily, followed by the invasion of Italy later that year. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "On 16 May 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 PIAT gun and, running forward under a hail of bullets, fired on the leading tank. It burst into flames and its 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." In 1946 he was discharged from the British Army and in 1950 he emigrated to the US. In the 1970s he returned to England and he died in Bolton, Lancashire at the age of 61.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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