- First Name(s):FrankBernard
- Surname:WEARNE
- Service Number:Unknown
- Rank:
Second Lieutenant
- Conflict:WW1
- Service:Army
- Army Sector:Infantry
- Regiment:Essex Regiment
- Battalion:3rd Battalion
- Unit:attached 10th Battalion
- Former Units:None
- Date of Death:28th June 1917
- Age At Death:23
- Place of Death:Unknown
- Place of Burial:Commemorated on Loos Memorial, France, Panel 85 to 87.
- Place of Birth:Unknown
- Home Town:Unknown
- Casualty's Relatives:
Son of Frank and Ada Wearne, of The Manor Lodge, Worcester Park, Surrey
WEARNE Frank Bernard Is Named On These Memorials
Notes About The Memorial(s) Listed Above
Bromsgrove School Victoria Cross Winners with the information: 2nd Lieut. 3rd Att 11th Essex Regt Posthumously 1917.
Bromsgrove School WW1 Memorial with the information: V.C. Second- Lieut.
Further Information About WEARNE Frank Bernard
Awarded Victoria Cross (V.C.).
Frank Wearne attended Bromsgrove School from 1908 to 1912 where he was Head Monitor, played for the XV and was a Corporal in the school OTC. Wearne won a Scholarship at the School in 1908 and rose to be Head Monitor in the last term of Mr Hendy’s Headmastership. He went to Corpus Christi College, Oxford as a Commoner in 1913 and on the outbreak of the war joined a Public School Battalion. He later obtained a commission in the Essex Regiment and went to the Front, being severely wound on July 3rd 1916. It was in May 1917 that he went on active service and the end came a few weeks later. He was twice hit but refused to go back and fell finally as he was leading his men into a German trench.
Source: Bromsgrove School at War 1914-19 by Philip Bowen and Bromsgrove School at War 1914-19 by David Cross.
Citation
An extract from The London Gazette dated 31st July, 1917, records the following:- “For most conspicuous bravery when in command of a small party on the left of a raid on the enemy’s trenches. He gained his objective in the face of much opposition and by his magnificent example and daring was able to maintain this position for a considerable time, according to instructions. During this period 2nd Lt. Wearne and his small party were repeatedly counter-attacked. Grasping the fact that if the left flank was lost his men would have to give way, 2nd Lt. Wearne, at a moment when the enemy’s attack was being heavily pressed and when matters were most critical, leapt on the parapet and, followed by his left section, ran along the top of the trench, firing and throwing bombs. This unexpected and daring manoeuvre threw the enemy off his guard and back in disorder. Whilst on the top of the trench 2nd Lt. Wearne was severely wounded, but refused to leave his men. Afterwards he remained in the trench directing operations, consolidating his position and encouraging all ranks. Just before the order to withdraw was given, this gallant officer was again severely hit for the second time, and while being carried away was mortally wounded. By his tenacity in remaining at his post though severely wounded, and his magnificent fighting spirit, he was enabled to hold on to the flank.”
Frank Wearne has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Loos Memorial.