Frank de Pass

He stormed a German sap, then rescued a man under enemy fire

Frank Alexander de Pass was born in London on 26 April 1887. Commissioned into the Royal Horse Artillery in 1906, he transferred to the 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse in 1909. In 1913 he became orderly officer to Sir Percy Lake, Chief of the General Staff in India.

When the First World War began, he went to France with his regiment. On 24 November 1914, near Festubert, Lieutenant de Pass entered a German sap and destroyed a traverse despite bombs thrown by the defenders. He subsequently went into the open under heavy fire and rescued a wounded soldier.

The Germans reoccupied the position. De Pass was killed on 25 November during a renewed attempt to capture it. He was buried in Bethune Town Cemetery.

The Victoria Cross, gazetted on 18 February 1915, made him the first Jewish recipient and the first Indian Army officer awarded the decoration during the First World War. His medals, including the clasped 1914 Star and Victory Medal bearing the Mention in Despatches emblem, are held by the National Army Museum.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For conspicuous bravery near Festubert on the 24th November, in entering a German sap and destroying a traverse in the face of the enemy’s bombs, and for subsequently rescuing, under heavy fire, a wounded man who was lying exposed in the open. Lieutenant de Pass lost his life on this day in a second attempt to capture the afore-mentioned sap, which had been re-occupied by the enemy.

Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 16 February 1915. 18 February 1915, Numb. 29074, p. 1700