World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Rushden, England, he was an ordained Reverend at the start of the war and tried to enter the army as a chaplain. He was unwilling to wait for a chaplain position to become available so he enlisted in the infantry and served as a Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 1/8 Battalion Sherwood Foresters, British Army. On September 29, 1918, Lieutenant Colonel Vann led his Battalion in an attack against the Germans at Bellenglise and Lehaucourt France. On reaching the high ground above the Canal du Nord through a very thick fog and under heavy fire, he secured his troops' advance by rushing up to the firing line and led the line swept forward. Later, he rushed a field-gun single-handed and knocked out three enemy detachments. Four days latter, he was killed by a sniper leading his Battalion in the attack on the Fonsomme-Beaurevoir line, France. For most conspicuous bravery during the attack at Bellenglise and Lehaucourt France, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross on December 14, 1918.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Rushden, England, he was an ordained Reverend at the start of the war and tried to enter the army as a chaplain. He was unwilling to wait for a chaplain position to become available so he enlisted in the infantry and served as a Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 1/8 Battalion Sherwood Foresters, British Army. On September 29, 1918, Lieutenant Colonel Vann led his Battalion in an attack against the Germans at Bellenglise and Lehaucourt France. On reaching the high ground above the Canal du Nord through a very thick fog and under heavy fire, he secured his troops' advance by rushing up to the firing line and led the line swept forward. Later, he rushed a field-gun single-handed and knocked out three enemy detachments. Four days latter, he was killed by a sniper leading his Battalion in the attack on the Fonsomme-Beaurevoir line, France. For most conspicuous bravery during the attack at Bellenglise and Lehaucourt France, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross on December 14, 1918.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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