Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Alfred George Collins Vann, a certificated public elementary school teacher, born in the 3rd quarter of 1859 in Northampton and his wife, Hannah Elizabeth Vann (nee Simpson, married on the 13th April 1882 in the Parish of St. Edmund’s, Northampton), a certificated public elementary school teacher, born 1861 in Snaith, Yorkshire. Bernard William was born on the 9th July 1887 in Rushden, Northamptonshire and was baptised on the 20th November 1887 in the Parish Church, Rushden, his siblings were, Arthur Harrison Allard, born on the 1st May of 1884 in Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire and baptised on the 1st March 1885 in the Parish Church, Rushden, Herbert Reginald, born in the 1st quarter of 1886 and baptised on the 7th February 1886 in the Parish Church, Rushden and Alban John, born in the 2nd quarter of 1889 and baptised on the 5th May 1889 in the Parish Church, Rushden, the latter two siblings were both born in Rushden, in April 1891 the family home was at High Street, Rushden. In March 1901 Bernard was residing in the family home at College Street, Higham Ferrars, Northamptonshire, together with his father, a schoolmaster warden of Archbishop Chichele College, his mother and siblings, Alfred George Thomas Simpson, born on the 21st March 1883 in Bugbrooke and baptised on the 28th December 1883 in the Parish Church, Northampton, Arthur, Reginald and Alban. On the 2nd September 1906 Bernard’s father died in Northamptonshire. In April 1911 Bernard was a Clerk in Holy Orders and was residing as a boarder at 84, Uppingham Road, Leicester. In the 4th quarter of 1916 Bernard married Doris Victoria Beck in St. George’s, Hanover Square, Middlesex. Bernard and Doris had a son, Geoffrey born on the 2nd June 1919.
His older brother Arthur, Captain and Adjutant, (Prince of Wales’ Own) West Yorkshire Regiment, fell in action on the 25th September 1915.
Bernard was educated at Chichele College and following his eighteen months at Ashby Grammar School went to Jesus College, Cambridge, where he won a hockey blue. He took his degree in 1910 and was ordained Deacon in 1912, becoming Chaplain and assistant master at Wellingborough School. At the outbreak of war he applied for an army chaplaincy, but after waiting some time he became impatient and applied for a commission as a frontline soldier in the 8th Battalion of the Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment. During 1915 he was awarded the Military Cross during an enemy flamethrower attack, and in 1916 was promoted to the rank of Captain, and then Major. During September 1916 and in agony suffering from neuritis caused by his many wounds, he led a successful trench raid and killed several of the enemy. For this action he received a bar to his Military Cross. In February 1916 the French awarded him the Croix de Guerre with Palm. By late 1918 he was the acting Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 6th Battalion of the Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment, when he was awarded the Victoria Cross. The London Gazette for the 14th December 1918 carried the following citation:- “He led his Battalion with great skill across the Canal du Nord through a very thick fog and under fire from field and machine guns. On reaching the high ground above Bellenglise, the whole attack was held up by fire of all descriptions from the front and right flank. Realising that everything depended on the advance going forward with the creeping barrage Lieutenant Colonel Vann rushed up to the firing line and with the greatest gallantry led the line forward. By his prompt action and absolute contempt for danger the whole situation changed, the men were encouraged and the line swept forward. Later he rushed a field gun single handed and knocked out three of the detachment. The success of the day was in no small degree due to the splendid gallantry and fine leadership displayed by the officer.” On the 3rd October 1918, just four days after winning the Victoria Cross and having been wounded on at least eight occasions, he was killed instantaneously by a sniper’s bullet, he was hit just after leading his men to victory against a strong enemy position.
On Tuesday 17th December 1918 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTER CURATE’S V.C.”. – Posthumous Award to Late Lieut.-Col. Vann. - Heroic Deeds. - In the latest list of V.C.’s is the posthumous award to Captain A/Lieut.-Col. Bernard William Vann, late 1/8th Bn., attd. 1/6th Bn. Notts. and Derby Regt. (T.F.). For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty, and fine leadership during the attack at Bellenglise and Lehaucourt on September 29th, 1918. He led his battalion with great skill across the Canal du Nord through a very thick fog and under heavy fire from field and machine guns. On reaching the high ground above Bellenglise the whole attack was held up by fire of all descriptions from the front and right flank, Realising that everything depended on the advance going forward with the barrage, Lieut.-Col. Vann rushed up to the firing line and with the greatest gallantry led the line forward. By his prompt action and absolute contempt for danger the whole situation was changed, the men were encouraged, and the line swept forward. Later he rushed a field gun single handed and knocked out three of the detachment. The success of the day was in no small degree due to the splendid gallantry and fine leadership displayed by this officer. Lieut.-Col. Vann, who had on all occasions set the highest examples of valour, was killed near Ramicourt on October 3rd, 1918, when leading his battalion in attack.
EARLIER DEEDS OF BRAVERY.
Lieut.-Col. Vann, formerly a curate in Leicester, had a remarkably successful career in the army. He received his commission in the Sherwood Foresters in September, 1914, and having received his first advance the following June he continued to rise steadily until he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel in October, 1917. Prior to volunteering for service, he was a clerk in Holy Orders. He graduated at Jesus College, Cambridge, taking his B.A. degree in 1910. He was ordained deacon the same year, and proceeded to priest’s orders in 1911. For two years he was curate of St. Barnabas’ Church, New Humberstone, Leicester, whilst from 1913 he filled the post of chaplain and assistant master of Wellingborough Grammar School. Some nine or ten years ago he played football, and made occasional appearances for Derby County. He was wounded five times. He won the Military Cross as a second-lieutenant at Kemmel on April 24th, 1915. Whilst wounded and half buried he showed the greatest determination in organising the defence and rescuing buried men under heavy fire, refusing to leave his men until directed to do so. At Ypres on July 31st and subsequent days, he ably assisted another officer to hold the left trench of a line, setting a fine example to those around him, being then slightly wounded. On various occasions he led patrols up to the enemy’s trenches, and obtained valuable information. He gained a bar to the Cross for leading a daring raid against the enemy’s trenches, himself taking five prisoners, and displaying great courage and determination. On many occasions he did fine work.
FOOTNOTE:
For further reading on the life of this remarkable soldier, I would thoroughly recommend the book written by Charles Beresford, “The Christian Soldier” – The Life of Lt. Col. The Rev. Bernard William Vann, V.C., M.C. & Bar, Croix de Guerre avec palme.
Published by Helion & Company Limited, 2017. ISBN 978-1-910777-31-2.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday September 24th, 1915

Leicester Curate's Bravery - Wins the Military Cross - Rescued men under heavy fire

Second-Lieut. Bernard William Vann, 8th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, who has been awarded the Military Cross for rescuing buried men under heavy fire, was formerly curate of St. Barnabas Church, Leicester. He is the son of a former headmaster of Higham Ferrers Grammar School, where he was educated prior to proceeding to Jesus College, Cambridge.

Some years ago he visited the town with a body of Cambridge missionary campaigners. On being ordained in 1911, he took up the curacy of St. Barnabas Church, filling that position until 1913, when he was appointed Chaplain and Form Master of Wellingborough Grammar School.

At the beginning of the war Second-Lieut. Vann enlisted in the Gloucestershire Regiment, and subsequently obtained a commission in the Sherwood Foresters. On enlisting he did not renounce his priesthood, and has also taken part in religious work at the front. He has been previously mentioned in despatches.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 11th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

News has been received at Ashby-de-la-Zouch that Col. Bernard Vann, of the Sherwood Foresters, was recently killed in action while leading his men. The deceased was formerly an assistant master at the Ashby Grammar School, and was very popular with the boys and others of the neighbourhood. He was a good all-round sportsman, and took a leading part in the cricket, hockey and football games. Prior to joining the army, he was chaplain at Wellingborough Grammar School. He has frequently preached at the Ashby Parish Church.

Coalville Times article - Friday December 20th, 1918

A LEICESTERSHIRE V.C.

COLONEL BERNARD W. VANN

The Victoria Cross has been awarded to a well-known local officer, Captain (Acting Lieutenant-Colonel) Bernard Wm. Vann, M.C., late 1/8th Battalion, attached 1/6th Battalion Notts and Derby Regiment (T.F.)

For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty, and fine leadership during the attack at Bellenglise and Le Harcourt, on September 29th, 1918. He led his battalion with great skill across the Canal du Nord through a very thick fog and under heavy fire from field and machine guns. On reaching the high ground above Bellenglise the whole attack was held up by fire of all descriptions from the front and right flank. Realising that everything depended on the advance going forward with the barrage, Lieut.-Col. Vann rushed up to the firing line and with the greatest gallantry led the line forward. By his prompt action and absolute contempt for danger the whole situation was changed, the men were encouraged, and the line crept forward. Later, he rushed a field gun single-handed, and knocked out three of the detachment. The success of the day was in no small degree due to the splendid gallantry and fine leadership displayed by this officer. Lieut.-Col. Vann, who has on all occasions, set the highest example of valour, was killed near Ramicourt, on October 3rd, 1918, when leading his battalion in attack.

This is a posthumous award for the gallant officer, was killed in action some time ago. He was the son of a former headmaster at Higham Ferrers Grammar School and was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge. During his studies there he took a very keen interest in foreign missions, and during a campaign on their behalf, he went to Leicester in 1909, and made a stay in the parish of St. Barnabas. Two years afterwards he was ordained curate for this parish. As a keen sportsman he interested himself in rugby, football and hockey. He was a friend of the late Captain F. N. Tarr. When he left Leicester it was to take up an appointment as chaplain and form master at Wellingborough Grammar School. He was formerly resident master at Ashby Grammar School.

At the outbreak of war Mr Vann promptly offered himself for service. Although he applied for a commission, his eagerness outweighed his patience, and he joined as a private in the Gloucester Regiment. Later, a commission was granted, and he was transferred to the Sherwood Foresters.

On no less than four occasions this gallant officer was wounded. For various acts of bravery he was awarded the M.C. Once he was blown out of a trench, and in a letter to the Rev. A. E. Manyell, the incident was described thus, “I thought I had been promoted to the Flying Corps, but I came down suddenly that I soon found out my mistake.”

Coalville Times article - Friday December 27th, 1918

COLONEL VANN, V.C.

The following further appreciation of the late Colonel Vann, V.C., formerly a curate of St. Barnabas, Leicester, and at one time assistant master at Ashby Grammar School, appeared in the “Times” on Friday.

“Bernard William Vann, was a young clergyman of the Church of England, a member of Jesus College, Cambridge, and a hockey blue, who for two years served a country curacy. When war came it found him chaplain and assistant master at Wellingborough. Hot-footed and impatient of the delay that stood between him and an army chaplaincy, he joined the Sherwood Foresters before August 1914 was out. From that moment he began a career of adventure and splendour that has seldom been excelled. No less than 11 times was he returned a casualty.

At last he fell, but a few days before the armistice was signed, leading his battalion into the attack. The war is rich enough in stories transcending the imagination of story-tellers, but the plain tale of how a young English clergyman rose in a few months, after joining the army, as a combatant to the command of his battalion, is one that deserves to be remembered. To be sure the Victoria Cross has been won by priests before – three of them. Army chaplains have won it in this war, but never before has there been a priest who won it as a commanding officer of an infantry battalion.

His was no case of setting aside an old vocation and forgetting it in the new adventure. All the time the men who revered and loved him as a fearless leader knew him, and loved him no less, as a spiritual father. Never was he happier than when the moment served for him to minister to the men whom he commanded: always in his baggage he carried a portable altar and the sacred vessels and his greatest joy was to plead the Great Sacrifice to give his men Communion.”

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 09/09/2017