OA Victoria Cross and George Cross Holders

Seven OAs have won the Victoria Cross, five in the First World War, 1914-18, of whom four were killed in action. In the Second World War, 1939-45,  two OAs won the Victoria Cross and one OA won the George Cross. You can read summaries of their lives below or longer biographies by using the links on the right.

Major Herbert John Leslie Barefoot, GC, ARIBA
Born 1887. Died 1958. School No.5662. At Dulwich College 1900-1905

When Leslie Barefoot left school he qualified as an architect, studying first at the Architectural Association School, in London and then the RIBA. In 1912, he was articled to W. O. Caroe. He served in the First World War in Egypt, Palestine and Syria and was mentioned in Despatches. When he was demobilised in 1919, he joined the Ipswich practice of H. Munro Cautley, in 1928 he became a partner. When the Second World War started he joined the Royal Engineers in bomb disposal. He was awarded the George Cross in 1940 "For most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner". The citation includes details of one incident: "On the night of September 1... Captain Barefoot received information about unexploded bombs (blocking) the LNER main line. There were six live bombs in one place. This was a time when delayed-action time fuse bombs were much in use. In view of the importance of clearing the line at all costs, Captain Barefoot and his men deliberately ignored the safety period of four days then laid down. By 7am work was begun and continued without cessation in relays throughout the day...Captain Barefoot assisted personally in this remarkably expeditious operation, and by the evening the line had been cleared and at 6.40pm trains were running again. Normally this work would have taken a week to perform". He was promoted Major in 1941. He returned to his practices after the war and in 1954 was joined by his third son, practising then as Leslie and Peter Barefoot. [Longer biography]

Lieutenant Richard Basil Brandram Jones, VC
Born 1897. Died 1916. School No. 7477. At Dulwich 1909-1914

Richard Jones was born in 1897 and while at Dulwich represented the school at shooting in 1913 and 1914, he was also captain of the Gym VI in 1914. He volunteered for active service on the outbreak of war and was gazetted 2nd lieutenant in the 8th Service Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in October 1914, being promoted Lieutenant two months later. He went with his regiment to France in September 1915 and was appointed Sniping Officer. He served in the trenches at Ploegsteert Wood and was killed in action at Vimy Ridge on 21st May 1916 when he was awarded the VC "for most conspicuous bravery. He was holding with his platoon a crater recently captured from the enemy. About 7.30pm the enemy exploded a mine forty yards to his right, and at the same time put a heavy barrage of fire on our trenches, thus isolating the Platoon. They then attacked in overwhelming numbers. Lt. Jones kept his men together, steadying them by his fine example, and shot no less than fifteen of the enemy as they advanced, counting them aloud as he did so to cheer his men. When his ammunition was expended he took a bomb, but was shot through the head while getting up to throw it. His splendid courage had so encouraged his men that when they had no more ammunition or bombs they threw stones and ammunition boxes at the enemy till only nine of the platoon were left. Finally they were compelled to retire."  

The Howard-Jones Challenge Cup for shooting was established in memory of C. C. Howard, killed with the "Loyals" at Vimy Ridge in May 1916 and Richard Jones.

Vice-Admiral Gordon Campbell, VC, DSO (1886-1953)
School No. 5367. At Dulwich College 1898-1900

One of seven OAs to receive the Victoria Cross, Vice-Admiral Campbell was the successful commander of armed decoy vessels known as 'Q' ships during the First World War. In 1916 he was awarded the DSO for sinking a U-boat and a year later received a VC for successfully destroying another German submarine despite his own ship being hit and sinking. In the citation this act was described as 'the supreme test of naval discipline'.

After the war, Campbell was promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1928 and Vice-Admiral in 1932. From 1931 to 1935 he was was MP for Burnley.

 

 

Lieutenant Colonel Lorne McLaine Campbell, VC, DSO, TD, MA
Born 1902 Died 1991 School No. 8608 At Dulwich College 1915-1921

Lorne Campbell was born in 1902 and came from a family of Old Alleynians, his father and seven uncles including Vice-Admiral Gordon Campbell VC, DSO, his brother and a cousin were all at Dulwich College. He was a scholar, edited The Alleynian from 1920-21, played for the 1st XV, was the first captain of Marlowe, when the house system started as well as School Captain. He went to Merton College, Oxford to read Greats taking a 2nd.   While at Oxford he joined the 8th Battalion  Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (TA). He was sent to France at the outbreak of the Second World War where he was awarded the DSO in 1940. In mid-1942 he was made Commanding Officer, the 7th Argyll and Southern Highlanders, promoted Lieutenant Colonel and commanded them until the end of the campaign, including El Alamein, where he was awarded a bar to his DSO.
 
He was awarded the Victoria Cross on 6th April 1943. The action took place at Wadi Akarit in Tunisia. The battalion was given the task of breaking through the enemy minefield and anti-tank ditch in order to form a bridgehead This difficult operation was successfully completed and at least 600 prisoners taken. Lieut. Col. Campbell’s personality dominated the battlefield by a display of valour and utter disregard for personal safety (he was wounded in the neck), Under his inspiring leadership the attacks were repulsed and the bridgehead held.

He was Brigadier, 13th Infantry Brigade, 8th Army in the Sicilian and Italian campaigns.  From 1944-5 he was on the British Army Staff at Washington and made Officer, US Legion of Merit.  After the war he became a Liveryman and was President of the Alleyn Club in 1963.

Captain Philip John Gardner, VC, MC (1914-2003)
School No. 11483. At Dulwich College 1928-1932
During the breakout from Tobruk Pip was instructed to take two tanks to the assistance of two armoured cars. He tried to tow out the car containing a wounded  officer, the tow rope broke. Pip dismounted and returned to the armoured car and was immediately hit. Despite his wounds he lifted the officer out and half carried and half dragged him back to his tank and held him on. For this he was awarded the Victoria Cross. In 1942 he was captured, during the surrender and retreat from Tobruk. He escaped from the Italians but was re-capture by the Germans. He spent the rest of the war in Oflag 79 near Brunswick.

After the war he became Managing Director and then Chairman of J Gardner and Co. He was a Governor of Dulwich College and President of the Alleyn Club. He founded the Brunswick Boy's Club of which he was President. [Longer biography]

Major Alexander Malins Lafone VC
Born 1870. Died 1917. School No. 2437. At Dulwich College 1881-1889

While at Dulwich he played in the 3rd XV 1888-89 and 3rd XI 1888 and 1889. He trained as an engineer when he left and joined a firm in Gainsborough, before going out to Assam as an assistant manager on the Jokai Tea Estate in 1894. After three years he returned to London to work in his father's firm on Butler's Wharf. He fought in the South African War in various regiments, was invalided in 1901 and ended as a Lieutenant in the Hertfordshire Yeomanry. He then stayed on in Africa working for the Colonial Office as an Assistant Resident in Northern Nigeria. Recurrent attacks of fever forced him back to England where he worked for F A Roberts and Co., and kept up his connections with the Army. On the outbreak of the First World War he was a Major in the Middlesex Yeomanry, he sailed for Egypt with the London Mounted Brigade as commander of 'B' Squadron on the Suez Canal. He saw action in the Sinai desert and then during the great advance on Palestine, he showed enduring bravery and paid the ultimate price, winning the highest of all honours. His VC citation read: "On 27th October 1917 at Beersheba, Palestine, for most conspicuous bravery, leadership and self-sacrifice, Major Lafone, for more than seven hours, held a position against vastly superior forces. Visibility was poor, owing to the shelling from the enemy. He beat off Cavalry charges, by the enemy, causing them many casualties. One enemy charge left 15 casualties within 20 yards of his trench. One man who had managed to reach the trench was bayoneted by Major Lafone. All of his men became casualties except three. The trench was so full of wounded that it became difficult to move about and use weapons. Major Lafone ordered those who could walk to move to a trench, slightly to the rear. They continued to maintain an heroic resistance. When eventually they became surrounded, he stepped into the open and continued to fight until he was mortally wounded, finally he collapsed. His courage and cheerfulness set a splendid example to the men which enabled them to hold the position as ordered".

Major Stewart Walter Loudoun-Shand, VC
Born 1879. Died 1916. School No. 3897. At Dulwich College 1891-1897

The second of six brothers who were all at the College, he played for the 3rd XV 1896-97 and the 3rd XI 1897 and after leaving Dulwich was a keen member of the OA Football Club in its early days. He commenced a business career in Williams Deacon's Bak and joined the Loundon Scottish Volunteers. During the South African war he served in the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry. He stayed on in South Africa working in Port Elizabeth, before moving on to Colombo, Ceylon to work with his elder brother William, who was a tea planter. In 1914  he joined the 10th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment as a lieutenant, promoted to Captain in June 1915 and Major in November 1915. He served in France in 1915 and 1916 where he was slightly wounded in March. He was killed in action at Fricourt on the Somme while leading his company against the German trenches on 1st july 1916. His VC citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery. When his company attempted to climb over the parapet to attack the enemy's trenches, they were met by very fierce machine gun fire, which temporarily stopped their progress. Major Loudoun-Shand immediately leapt on the parapet, helped the men over it and encouraged them in every way until he fell mortally wounded. Even then he insisted on being propped up in the trench and went on encouraging the non-commissioned officers and men until he died".

Lieutenant Cecil Harold Sewell, VC
Born 1895. Died 1918. School No. 7137. At Dulwich College 1907-1910

He matriculated at London University and was articled to his father with a view to  becoming a solicitor in 1912. In 1914 he joined the Public Schools Battalion, 21st Royal Fusiliers as a private in the machine gun section, and after service at the front he was sent home and passed through a Cadet Battalion, receiving a commission in the 3rd Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment in August 1916. He returned to France and shortly afterwards transferred to the heavy branch Machine Gun Corps. Later he joined the Tank Corps. on its formation, being attached to the 3rd (Light) Battalion, after seeing considerable service with Heavy Tanks. He was killed in action at Fremicourt on the Somme 29th August 1918. For his conspicuous gallantry was awarded the VC. His citation reads "When in command of a section of Whippet Light Tanks in action this officer displayed most conspicuous bravery and initiative in getting out of his own tank and crossing open ground under heavy shell and machine gun fire to rescue the crew of another Whippet of his section which had side-slipped into a large shell-hole, overturned and taken fire...Lieutenant Sewell...saved the lives of the officer and men inside...seeing one of his men lying wounded behind the tank, he dashed across the open ground to his assistance...He was hit fatally, in the act of dressing his wounded driver...Throughout, by his prompt and heroic action, showed an utter disregard for his personal safety".