Frank Edward Stubbs

Led his men under lethal fire at Gallipoli's W Beach landing

Frank Edward Stubbs was born in Walworth, London, in 1888. His father, Francis Stubbs, worked as a porter at the government Stationery Office; his mother was Lucy Ann, née Lewisham. He grew up in south London and joined the Army as a boy soldier. He remained unmarried.

Stubbs served with the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, in India before the First World War. The battalion was stationed at Karachi when war began in August 1914. It returned to England on 2 January 1915, moved to Nuneaton and joined the 86th Brigade of the 29th Division. On 16 March it sailed for the eastern Mediterranean by way of Egypt. By the Gallipoli landing, Stubbs was serving as a sergeant, regimental number 1506.

On 25 April 1915, the Lancashire Fusiliers landed at W Beach, west of Cape Helles, on the Gallipoli peninsula. Ottoman defenders commanded the shore from the surrounding heights, while wire obstructed the attackers. Machine-gun fire struck the landing force, inflicting severe casualties before the men could establish themselves ashore.

Stubbs helped lead his men through the wire and up from the beach under fire, and distinguished himself in the assault towards Hill 114. The survivors forced their way through the defences, gained the cliffs and held their position. He died during the fighting that day, aged twenty-seven. There was no later life or military career after the landing. His body was not identified, and he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.

His comrades selected him for the Victoria Cross for outstanding bravery and devotion to duty. The award was announced on 15 March 1917 alongside those of Cuthbert Bromley and John Grimshaw, completing the six Victoria Crosses associated with the Lancashire Fusiliers' W Beach landing. His mother received his posthumous cross from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 2 May 1917.

Victoria Cross citation The London Gazette, 15 March 1917, page 2619

No. 1506 Sjt. Frank Edward Stubbs (since died of wounds).

On the 25th April, 1915, headquarters and three companies of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, in effecting a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula to the West of Cape Helles, were met by very deadly fire from hidden machine guns, which caused a great number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up to and cut the wire entanglements, notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy, and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained.

Amongst the many very gallant officers and men engaged in this most hazardous undertaking, Captain Bromley, Serjeant Stubbs, and Corporal Grimshaw have been selected by their comrades as having performed the most signal acts of bravery and devotion to duty.