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On a subsequent occasion, when his battalion was ordered to carry out a counter -attack, he showed the greatest bravery. Knowing that his men were extremely tired after six days fighting, he placed himself in front and led the attack and, even when twice wounded, refused to leave them, but continued
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When the rear guard was almost surrounded and in great danger of being captured, Lieutenant-Colonel
Collings-Wells, realising the situation, called for volunteers to remain behind and hold up the enemy whilst the remainder of the rearguard withdrew and, with his small body of volunteers held them up
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war broke out in 1914, Collings-Wells went to France as a reinforcement for the 2nd (Regular) Battalion of the
Bedfords on 6 November 1914. He was wounded on 12 January 1915 and evacuated to the UK. He was promoted to temporary
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for over one and a half hours until they had expended every round of ammunition. During this time he moved freely amongst his men, guiding them and encouraging them and, by his great courage, undoubtedly saved the situation.
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to lead and encourage his men until he was killed at the moment of gaining their objective. The successful results of the operation were, without doubt, due to the undaunted courage exhibited by this officer.
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when it landed in France in July 1916. Collings-Wells became second-in-command of the battalion on 4 September and took over command of the battalion as acting
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Ridge
Cemetery (Plot 3, Row E, Grave 12). His VC is displayed at the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regimental Collection at the
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For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and handling of his battalion in very critical situations during a withdrawal.
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on 23 April 1917. Further, on 29 April he commanded a composite battalion of 4th
Bedfords and
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to live with his cousin, Will Buck, enabling him to run his father's business in
Manchester.
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Born in
Manchester on 19 July 1880 to Arthur & Caroline Mary, Collings-Wells moved to
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4th
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186:(19 July 1880 – 27 March 1918) was an English recipient of the
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on 30 January 1916 and was serving as commander of A Company in
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4th (Hertfordshire
Militia) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
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in 1908, with the role of providing reinforcements for the
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British Army officer & recipient of the
Victoria Cross
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when it attacked and captured the Oppy line. He was also
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403:"Acting Lieutenant Colonel John Stanhope Collings-Wells"
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267:, when it captured and held the northern outskirts of
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British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross
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in 1917 for his command of the battalion during the
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4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
291:In the period 22/27 March during the fighting from
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696:British military personnel killed in World War I
731:Freemasons of the United Grand Lodge of England
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354:Although Gerald Gliddon claims he was born at
273:7th (Extra Reserve) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
721:British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross
711:Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
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553:(Supplement). 23 April 1918. p. 4967.
303:(VC). He died in action on 27 March 1918.
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736:Military personnel from Hertfordshire
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220:on 17 September 1904 and promoted to
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716:People educated at Uppingham School
681:Military personnel from Manchester
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224:on 3 January 1907. The part-time
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259:Collings-Wells was awarded the
701:Hertfordshire Militia officers
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566:, p3, article at Marple.co.uk
522:, p2, article at Marple.co.uk
429:, p1, article at Marple.co.uk
652:John Stanhope Collings-Wells
564:John Stanhope Collings-Wells
520:John Stanhope Collings-Wells
427:John Stanhope Collings-Wells
178:John Stanhope Collings-Wells
25:John Stanhope Collings-Wells
405:. Nasonic Great War Project
265:Second Battle of the Scarpe
261:Distinguished Service Order
194:forces. He was educated at
169:Distinguished Service Order
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726:Burials in Hauts-de-France
624:VCs of the First World War
75:Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery
618:Gliddon, Gerald (2013) .
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338:, Luton, Bedfordshire.
281:mentioned in dispatches
228:was converted into the
204:Apollo University Lodge
60:27 March 1918 (aged 37)
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202:, where he joined the
620:Spring Offensive 1918
200:Christ Church, Oxford
145:Bedfordshire Regiment
118:Years of service
741:People from Markyate
454:, 16 September 1904.
256:on 20 October 1916.
509:, 28 December 1916.
336:Wardown Park Museum
176:Lieutenant-Colonel
550:The London Gazette
283:in November 1917.
254:Lieutenant-Colonel
136:Lieutenant-Colonel
637:978-0-7524-8730-4
628:The History Press
330:He was buried at
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602:Gliddon 2013
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192:Commonwealth
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112:British Army
43:19 July 1880
18:
676:1918 deaths
671:1880 births
545:"No. 30648"
409:18 November
332:Bouzincourt
287:VC citation
241:World War I
155:World War I
665:Categories
591:CWGC entry
374:References
83:Allegiance
50:Lancashire
46:Manchester
439:Army List
52:, England
360:Markyate
318:—
293:Marcoing
269:Gavrelle
101:Service/
65:, France
275:in the
226:Militia
222:captain
125:†
634:
297:Albert
239:After
211:Marple
161:Awards
103:branch
92:
70:Buried
63:Albert
342:Notes
246:major
632:ISBN
411:2019
198:and
141:Unit
133:Rank
57:Died
40:Born
654:at
295:to
184:DSO
667::
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571:^
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419:^
382:^
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181:VC
48:,
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366:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
