18 Facts About Bernard Vann

Bernard Vann attended Chichele College, Higham Ferrers, where his father was headmaster.

Bernard Vann was a keen footballer who played for amateur teams at Hugglescote United, Irthlingborough, and Northampton Town.

Bernard Vann made five appearances that season and then joined Derby County, making the first of his three league appearances for the club on 23 March 1907.

From 1907 to 1910, Bernard Vann was a student at Jesus College, Cambridge, reading History.

Bernard Vann was ordained a deacon in the Church of England in October 1910 and, in December 1911, he was ordained as a priest.

Bernard Vann was licensed as a curate at St Barnabas' Church in the New Humberstone suburb of Leicester and then at St Saviour's Church in the same city.

Bernard Vann refused to leave his post until ordered to by his superiors.

Bernard Vann was promoted to lieutenant on 26 April 1915 and two months later was made a temporary captain.

Bernard Vann returned to the front in June 1916, his captain's rank having been made substantive.

Bernard Vann led a daring raid against the enemy's trenches, himself taking five prisoners and displaying great courage and determination.

Bernard Vann has on many previous occasions done fine work.

Bernard Vann was promoted to acting lieutenant colonel the following month.

Bernard Vann secured his troops' advance by rushing up to the firing line and leading the advance forward himself.

Bernard Vann led his battalion with great skill across the Canal de Saint-Quentin through a very thick fog and under heavy fire from field and machine guns.

Bernard Vann rushed up to the firing line and with the greatest gallantry led the line forward.

Bernard Vann was survived by his wife, who was pregnant with their son.

Bernard Vann was initially buried near where he was killed but in 1920, his remains were moved to Bellicourt British Cemetery in Aisne, France.

The Bernard Vann Fellowship, named in memory of Bernard Vann, was established at Durham University in 2018 to promote the study of Christianity and the armed forces.