Harry Wells (VC)

Harry Wells
Harry Wells
Born	19 September 1888; Herne Bay, Kent
Died	25 September 1915 (aged 27); Near Le Rutoire, Loos, France
Buried	Dud Corner Cemetery
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	The Royal Sussex Regiment
Battles/wars	World War I †
Awards	Victoria Cross
Other work	Police officer

Harry Wells VC (19 September 1888 – 25 September 1915) was an English 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.

Details

Wells was 27 years old, and a sergeant in the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 25 September 1915 near Le Rutoire, Loos, France, when the platoon officer had been killed, Sergeant Wells took command and led his men forward to within 15 yards of the German wire. Nearly half the platoon were killed or wounded and the remainder were much shaken but Sergeant Wells rallied them and led them on. Finally, when very few were left, he stood up and urged them forward once again and while doing this he was killed.^[1]

Further information

Wells is buried in Dud Corner Cemetery, Le Rutoire, near Loos. 2 miles NW of Lens. Plot V, Row E, Grave 2.^[2]

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Eastbourne Redoubt Museum, Eastbourne, Sussex, England.

References

^ "No. 29371". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 November 1915. pp. 11448–11449.
^ CWGC entry

Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
VCs of the First World War - The Western Front 1915 (Peter F. Batchelor & Christopher Matson, 1999)

External links

[1] "No. 29371". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 November 1915. pp. 11448–11449.

[2] CWGC entry

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