Richard Wallace Annand
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Captain Richard Wallace Annand, VC (5 November 1914 – 24 December 2004) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
[edit] Details
"Dickie" Annand was 25 years old, and a Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Bn., The Durham Light Infantry, British Army during World War II when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
- On 15 May 1940, near the River Dyle, Belgium, Second Lieutenant Annand inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy with hand grenades. He was wounded, but after having his wound dressed, he made another attack on the enemy the same evening. Later, when the position became hopeless and the platoon was ordered to withdraw, Lieutenant Annand discovered that his batman was wounded and missing. He returned at once to the former position and brought him back in a wheelbarrow before fainting from loss of blood.
This was the first Victoria Cross won by the British Army in World War II.
He later achieved the rank of Captain. Richard Annand died on December 24, 2004.
His service uniform and his Victoria Cross are on display in the Durham Light Infantry Museum.
[edit] References
- British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
- Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Victoria Cross Society (Victoria Cross Society, 2004)
[edit] External links
- Second Lieutenant R.W. Annand in The Art of War exhibition at the UK National Archives
- Richard Annand
- Victoria Cross Society
- Burial location of Richard Annand (County Durham)
- Obituary in The Daily Telegraph (28 December, 2004)
