Bernard William Vann

The Derby County team in the 1906-07 relegation season, in which Vann played his three games for the Rams. Back row (from left): Jack Nicholas, Harry Maskrey, Charlie Morris and Arthur Latham (trainer). Middle: Jimmy Methven (manager), Fred Cleaver, Ben Warren, Ben Hall, Alf Wood, W.S. Moore (secretary), and unknown. Front: Jack Davis, John Wood, Jimmy Long, George Richards and George Davis

Saluting Rams' only every VC war hero

September 2008 saw the 90th anniversary of the death of Bernard Vann, a teacher and chaplain who briefly played as centre-forward for Derby County before fighting with distinction on the First World War battlefields, where he won the Victoria Cross.

LIEUTENANT Colonel the Rev Bernard William Vann was awarded the Victoria Cross in the First World War but did not live to wear the medal. He was killed in action near the village of Ramicourt, France, on October 3, 1918, aged 31.

In common with the handful of other Victoria Cross recipients with Derbyshire links, Bernard Vann's story is a heroic one. Yet additional curiosity attaches itself to Vann by way of his ability as a footballer. A schoolmaster by profession, he was teaching at Ashby Grammar School when he made three appearances as an amateur for Derby County towards the end of the 1906-07 season. As such he is unique in the club's history - the only VC to play for the Rams. He was a centre-forward, but failed to find the net in any of his three games.

Bernard Vann was born in High Street, Rushden, on July 9, 1887, one of five sons of two local schoolteachers. After leaving school he became a schoolmaster, going to work as a teacher at Ashby Grammar School.

In 1905, aged 18, he signed as an amateur footballer for Northampton Town. The Cobblers were struggling in the Southern League, a competition that then boasted Tottenham Hotspur among its member clubs. In his first season, Vann appeared twice – in his second game, at Fulham, his brother, Albert, scored the visitors’ only goal. The following season, 1906-07, Bernard Vann scored five times in as many games and also turned out for Second Division Burton United before Jimmy Methven, in his first season as Derby County’s manager, signed him as an amateur.

The Rams had started the season badly, their problems highlighted by a chronic lack of goals. That September, Methven had brought in Jim Rainsford, a centre-forward from Alfreton Town, but Rainsford struggled to make the step up to the Football League.

In March, Methven turned, almost in desperation, to Vann who, along with his brother, had toured Bohemia, Austria and Hungary with a leading amateur club of the day, New Pilgrims FC. None of this, however, could have prepared Vann for life with a team fighting relegation from the English First Division, then the leading competition in world football.

His debut came at Villa Park, where the Rams lost 2-0. He played in the next game – a 4-0 defeat by Notts County at Meadow Lane – and then made his home debut, a 1-1 draw against Birmingham at the Baseball Ground.

That was the end of Vann’s involvement with Derby County. Indeed, it was the end of his brief career as a Football League player. In June, he signed for Leicester Fosse but never appeared in the senior team at Filbert Street. He would, however, become unique in the Rams’ history.

That year, Vann went up to Jesus College, Cambridge, where he soon made a name for himself on the sports field and in the debating chamber. The college magazine described him as “a dashing forward, possessing both pace and weight... rather erratic in his passing... a good shot with either foot, he is always very dangerous in front of goal”.

In 1910, Vann left Cambridge and, in August that year, was appointed assistant junior curate at St Barnabas, Leicester. He was ordained in January 1912 but appears to have continued to play football; that October he was badly concussed during a match at Oundle.

In January 1913, Vann took up a new post as chaplain and assistant master at Wellingborough School, teaching history and theology and, not surprisingly, coaching football and cricket.

It was a short-lived appointment, however. On August 31, 1914, just a few days after the start of the First World War, he joined up as a private in the 28th (County of London) Battalion, the Artists’ Rifles. He was 27.

Thereafter, his military career advanced at breakneck speed. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 1/8 Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, Vann landed in France in February 1915. At Kemmel, in May, he was buried when a small advance trench was blown up but he dug himself out and, under heavy fire, rescued others.

On June 6, he was made a temporary captain and then, on August 15, won the Military Cross during the Battle of Loos. His brother, Albert, with whom he had played for Northampton Town, was killed in the same battle while serving as a captain in the 12th West Yorkshire Regiment.

That September, Vann led a daring raid on enemy trenches near Bellicourt. Two German soldiers charged him with fixed bayonets. He killed one, wounded the other and the rest surrendered. The following month, he was shot through the left forearm during an assault on the Hollenzollern Redoubt but continued to throw grenades until ordered to withdraw.

Promoted to captain on June 1, 1916, and to acting major on June 20, he won a bar to his MC in September before being returned to England, still suffering from the effects of his wounds. In December 1916, he married Doris Beck, a 20-year-old Canadian nursing aide, at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge.

The following February, the French awarded him the Croix de Guerre with palm. He assumed command of the 2/6 Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, in September and, one month later, was promoted to acting lieutenant colonel.

His Victoria Cross came on September 29, 1918, as the war entered its final, critical phase. The citation in the London Gazette reads: “For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and fine leadership during the attack at Bellenglise and Lehaucourt on September 29, 1918. He led his battalion with great skill across the Canal du Nord through a very thick fog and 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, Lt Col Vann rushed up to the firing line and, with the greatest gallantry, led the line forward. “By his prompt action and 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.”

Sadly, Vann’s VC was to be awarded posthumously. On October 3, 1918, as his battalion was preparing to go forward in the attack on the Fonsomme-Beaurevoir line, Bernard Vann was shot through the heart by a sniper’s bullet. He was killed instantly.

In The Times, a fellow officer wrote: “I can think of him only as a fighter, not merely against the enemy in the field, but a fighter against everything and everybody that was not an influence for good to his men... His many friends will rejoice that the constant gallantry and magnificent example of this fine Christian gentleman has been recognised by the highest award the country can bestow.”

Only one other Football League player equalled Vann’s feat – Donald Bell, of Bradford Park Avenue, a professional player who was awarded the VC in July 1916. Vann has the honour of being the most decorated man to play for a professional football club but, because he assisted Derby County for no remuneration, he cannot be categorised as 'a professional footballer who won the VC'.

Bernard Vann is buried in the Bellacourt war cemetery, about 10 miles north of St Quentin in France. The son he never saw, Bernard Geoffrey Vann, was born on June 2, 1919.

Vann has been regularly overlooked in previous articles honouring 'Victoria Cross heroes with Derbyshire links' - he may only have been 'passing through', but to have appeared for Derby County is surely qualification enough for an honorary citizenship - Bernard Vann VC we salute you!

• Vann, Bernard: Rams centre-forward was war hero
• Vann, Bernard - Rams Centre-Forward was Victoria Cross Hero

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