John Stanhope Collings-Wells

Lieutenant-Colonel John Stanhope Collings-Wells VC DSO

John Stanhope Collings-Wells was born on 19 July 1880 in the Chorlton registration district of Manchester. Although some later accounts give Caddington Hall in Hertfordshire as his birthplace, contemporary civil and census records support the Manchester area. He was educated at Uppingham School and Christ Church, Oxford, before entering the family engineering business.

Collings-Wells joined the 4th (Hertfordshire Militia) Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment in 1904. When the Militia became the Special Reserve in 1908, his unit was redesignated the 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion. Following the outbreak of the First World War, he joined the 2nd Battalion in France on 6 November 1914. He was seriously wounded near Fleurbaix in January 1915 and evacuated to Britain.

After recovering, he returned to France with the 4th Battalion in July 1916. He became second-in-command and, after heavy fighting on the Somme, assumed command as acting lieutenant-colonel. His concern for his soldiers, personal courage and ability to reorganize exhausted units under fire earned him their loyalty and respect.

During the Second Battle of the Scarpe on 23 and 24 April 1917, Collings-Wells directed the capture of the northern outskirts of Gavrelle. When confusion threatened the position, he crossed the town under heavy shell and machine-gun fire to reorganize his companies. On 29 April he commanded a composite battalion in the successful assault on the Oppy Line. His leadership, coolness and disregard for his own safety brought him the Distinguished Service Order. Later that year, after leading the battalion at Passchendaele, he was Mentioned in Despatches. Christ Church, Oxford⁠

On 21 March 1918, the German Spring Offensive broke through the British Fifth Army’s front. For almost a week the 4th Bedfords fought a series of desperate rearguard actions while withdrawing from the Marcoing area towards Albert.

When part of the rearguard was in danger of being surrounded, Collings-Wells called for volunteers and remained behind with a small party. For more than an hour and a half they held back the advancing enemy, allowing the remainder of the force to escape. Collings-Wells moved openly among his men, directing and encouraging them until their ammunition was exhausted.

On 27 March, near Bouzincourt, his exhausted battalion was ordered to counterattack. Collings-Wells placed himself at its head and led the advance. Although wounded twice, reportedly in both arms, he refused to leave his men and continued forward until they reached their objective. He was killed at the moment the position was secured.

His Victoria Cross was announced posthumously in the London Gazette on 23 April 1918 for deeds performed between 22 and 27 March. The decoration was presented to his parents by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 1 June 1918. The Gazette⁠

Collings-Wells was 37 years old. He lies in Plot III, Row E, Grave 12 of Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery near Albert. His Victoria Cross and other decorations are held by the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regimental Collection at Wardown House Museum in Luton. Commonwealth War Graves Commission⁠ Bedfordshire Archives⁠