Frank de Pass

Frank Alexander De Pass
Born 26 April 1887
Kensington, Middlesex, England
Died 25 November 1914 (aged 27)
Festubert, France
Buried at Bethune Town Cemetery
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Indian Army
Years of service 1906 - 1914 
Rank Lieutenant
Unit Royal Horse Artillery
34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Victoria Cross

Frank Alexander de Pass VC (26 April 1887 – 25 November 1914) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the first person of the Jewish faith and the first officer of the Indian Army to receive the VC during World War I.

De Pass was born on 26 April 1887 to Eliot and Beatrice of Kensington, London. He attended Rugby School.[1] He was 27 years old, and a Lieutenant in the 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse, and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 24 November 1914 near Festubert, France. He was killed in battle the next day, 25 November.

Lieutenant de Pass entered a German sap and destroyed a traverse in the face of the enemy's bombs. Subsequently he rescued, under heavy fire, a wounded man who was lying exposed to enemy bullets in the open. Lieutenant de Pass lost his life in a second attempt to capture the sap, which the enemy had reoccupied.[2] His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum in Chelsea, London.[3]

See also

References

  1. De Pass, Frank Alexander, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  2. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29074. p. 1700. 16 February 1916. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
  3. National Army Museum
The Grave of LT A De Pass at Bethune CWGC Cemetery France
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