Acting Lieut-Colonel (Rev) Bernard William Vann VC, MC, DSO, 8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment), was killed in action in France on October 3rd, 1918.

Although born in Rushden, Northants, in 1887 and with a family living in Cirencester at the time of his death, he had been at one time an assistant master at St Gregory's School in Downs Road, Luton.

The Victoria Cross was conferred on him “for most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and fine leadership during an attack at Bellenglise and Lebaucourt in France on September 29th, 1918.” He was killed while leading an attack four days later.

He had already received the Military Cross, the Distinguished Service Order and the French Croix Militaire.

Rev Vann was remembered in the Christ Church, Luton, parish magazine in February 1919. There it was published: “He was a combatant who never forgot that he was a priest, and always carried in his baggage a portable altar and the Eucharistic vestments. His greatest joy was to be able to celebrate for his men and to give them Communion.”

Bernard Vann had been ordained as a priest in 1912.