Harry Ranken

He dressed the wounded after his own shattered leg was bound

Harry Sherwood Ranken was born in Glasgow on 3 September 1883, the son of a Church of Scotland minister. He studied medicine at the University of Glasgow, graduating in 1905 after winning several prizes. Hospital appointments in Glasgow and London preceded his entry into the Royal Army Medical Corps in January 1909, when he placed first in the entrance examination.

Ranken's interests included hygiene and tropical medicine. He published medical papers and won the Tulloch Medal and other professional prizes. Seconded to the Egyptian Army in 1911, he worked with the Sudan Government's sleeping-sickness programme at Yei. He became a captain in 1912.

On leave when war began in August 1914, he volunteered for active service and went to France as medical officer to the 1st King's Royal Rifle Corps. His work during the retreat from Mons earned the French Legion of Honour. During fighting near Hautevesnes on 19–20 September, he continued tending casualties in trenches exposed to rifle and shell fire. A severe wound shattered his leg. Having controlled his own bleeding and bound the injury, he resumed treating other men rather than permitting immediate evacuation.

By the time Ranken accepted removal from the position, his condition was desperate. He died at a casualty clearing station at Braine on 25 September 1914, aged 31, and was buried in the communal cemetery. His Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously and later presented to his father. Unmarried, he left a career that combined medical research with frontline care. His family later placed his decorations in the Royal Army Medical Corps collection.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For tending wounded in the trenches under rifle and shrapnel fire at Hautvesnes on 19th September, and on 20th September continuing to attend to wounded after his thigh and leg had been shattered. (He has since died of his wounds.)

Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 13 November 1914. 16 November 1914, Numb. 28976, p. 9374. Repeated in The London Gazette of 17 November 1914, Numb. 28977, p. 9403