Harry Wells (VC)

Rallied his shattered platoon and led it forward under fire.

Harry Wells was born near Herne Bay, Kent, on 19 September 1888. His father was a bricklayer, and Harry attended Hoath School before agricultural work. A childhood accident with farm machinery cost him two fingers of his right hand. He nevertheless entered the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1904 and served for six years.

After leaving the regular Army, Wells joined Kent Police in November 1911. He worked in the Ashford division before resigning at the end of 1913. When war began in August 1914, his reserve obligation brought him back to the Royal Sussex Regiment. He reached France on 12 August with the British Expeditionary Force and served with the 2nd Battalion through the first year of the war.

His experience and the heavy losses among his comrades brought promotion to sergeant. He was wounded on several occasions and was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal for work laying telephone wires under fire. By September 1915 he was an experienced platoon leader facing another major offensive.

On 25 September, during the Battle of Loos near Le Rutoire, his platoon officer was killed. Wells assumed command and led the men towards the German position, reaching ground only fifteen yards from the wire. Almost half the platoon became casualties. He rallied the shaken survivors and pressed forward again. With very few men remaining, he stood up to urge another advance and was killed.

The Victoria Cross recognized this sustained example of leadership in a disintegrating attack. Wells was twenty-seven and unmarried. His death ended a career that had included civilian policing between two periods of military service. His mother received the decoration from George V in November 1916. He was buried at Dud Corner Cemetery near Loos.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery near Le Rutoire on 25th September, 1915. When his Platoon Officer had been killed he took command and led his men forward to within fifteen yards of the German wire. Nearly half the Platoon were killed or wounded, and the remainder were much shaken, but with the utmost coolness and bravery Serjeant Wells rallied them and led them forward. Finally, when very few were left, he stood up and urged them forward once more, but while doing this he was killed. He gave a magnificent example of courage and determination.

Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 16 November 1915. 18 November 1915, Numb. 29371, pp. 11448-49