Day 16 - Devotion to duty

The story I’m going to tell today is of a soldier in the First World War whose faith guided him through one of the most difficult periods in recent history. Lieutenant Colonel Bernard William Vann, V.C., M.C. and Bar, Croix de Guerre avec Palmes and just from the jumble of letters after his name, I’m sure you can see where this is going. Lt. Col. Vann was born in 1887 in Northamptonshire and went to University at Jesus College, Cambridge to read history. Whilst there he joined the Officer Training Corps and reached the rank of Sergeant before graduating in 1910. An avid footballer, he played for Burton United, Derby County and Leicester Fosse until 1907. He also played hockey for the university. After graduating, he taught at Ashby-de-la-Zouch Grammar School before becoming an ordained priest in the Church of England.

At the outbreak of war, Vann initially signed up as an army chaplain but, frustrated by the delays, switched to join the infantry. Sent to the Ypres Salient on 24th April, 1915, when his trench was blown in, he rescued buried men and organised the defence under heavy fire and refused to leave the line despite his wounds until directly ordered to do so. From 31st July, alongside another officer, he held a section of the line and set ‘a fine example to those around him’ being wounded again. He also led various trench raids during this time to obtain intelligence.

Wounded for a third time in October 1915, just a month after his brother Arthur had been killed at the Battle of Loos, Vann was sent back to England but returned to frontline service in June 1916, now a full captain. Vann’s unit took part in the disastrous diversionary attack at Gommecourt on 1st July, 1916 - a diversion for the Somme Offensive. Later in July, he would be wounded yet again, however he stayed at the front where he received his second Military Cross in August for leading another trench raid and taking 5 prisoners himself. He was promoted to acting Lieutenant-Colonel in October and married Doris Victoria Strange-Beck, a Canadian nurse serving in a hospital in England in December.

In June 1918, Vann took command of 1/6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. On 29th September, whilst leading his troops through heavy enemy fire, Vann won his Victoria Cross. Unfortunately, Vann would not survive to receive his medal, being killed by a sniper on the 3rd October, 1918. His Victoria Cross citation reads:

For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and fine leadership during the attack at Bellenglise and Lehaucourt, on September 29th, 1918. He led his battalion with great skill across the Canal de Saint-Quentin through a very thick fog and under heavy fire from field and machine guns. On reaching the high ground above Bellenglise the whole attack was held up by fire of all descriptions from the front and right flank. Realising that everything depended on the advance going forward with the barrage, Col. Vann rushed up to the firing line and with the greatest gallantry led the line forward. By his prompt action and absolute contempt for danger the whole situation was changed, the men were encouraged and the line swept forward.

Despite not joining the army as a chaplain after initial delays, Vann maintained his Christian beliefs throughout. Reports tell that he would often lead services and communion if the battalion chaplain was unavailable and, at least once went out into No Man’s Land to read the burial service over fallen comrades. His actions, as one observing officer put it, ‘have been superhuman’.

There is no doubt that his faith was strong and I can easily imagine that he was a source of comfort and spiritual guidance to many of his men.

His second-in-command, Major Shedden-Bernard wrote to Vann’s mother after his death that: ‘I learned in that time that he was a soldier to admire, and a brave English gentleman ... The charm of his manner drew everyone to him, and he was loved by his men and officers alike, who, as several occasions have proved, were ready to follow him anywhere. During any attack wherever the struggle was hardest the Colonel was sure to be there encouraging, directing, and leading.’

Vann was the only ordained priest to win the Victoria Cross during the First World War and was a member of a whole group of ministers, priests and vicars of all denominations who served with distinction and bravery.

So today, in a world that seems to be losing it’s head, think of Vann and all those like him who kept theirs and forged forward with level-headedness and courage. Let’s reflect and draw strength from those of our faith who have fought and died for us so we may be free in so many different ways.

Let’s ask God for the help we need to carry on through whatever challenges we may face along life’s rocky and twisted path. Amen.

Harry Booton