大象传媒

鈥淗e never forgot that he was a priest of God.鈥�

How does a clergyman reconcile his conscience with acts of war? Bernard Vann was an ordained minister and chaplain of Wellingborough School in Northamptonshire at the outbreak of war in August 1914. He initially applied to become an army chaplain, but chose to enlist as a regular soldier rather than face a delay to join the chaplaincy.

Vann rose through the ranks in the 1/8 Sherwood Foresters, receiving the Military Cross as well as the Croix de Guerre. He was promoted to acting Lieutenant Colonel in October 1917, taking command for the 1/6 Sherwood Foresters.

On 29 September 1918, Vann led the battalion across the St Quentin Canal, through dense fog and heavy fire. The citation in the London Gazette adds that he 鈥渞ushed a field gun single handed and knocked out three of the detachment.鈥�

Four days later he was killed by a German sniper while preparing to lead another attack.

Rev Richard Coles who went to Wellingborough School tells the story of Bernard Vann.

Location: 46 High Street South, Rushden, Northants NN10 0QX

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