Harry Daniels

Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Daniels VC MC (13 December 1884 – 13 December 1953) 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.

For the English professional footballer, see Harry Daniels (footballer). For the American water polo player, see Harry Daniels (water polo). For the Australian rules footballer, see Harry Daniel.

Harry Daniels
Harry Daniels as a training instructor in 1918
Born13 December 1884
Wymondham, Norfolk
Died13 December 1953 (aged 69)
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Buried
Lawnswood Crematorium, Leeds
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
RankLieutenant-Colonel
UnitThe Rifle Brigade
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsVictoria Cross
Military Cross

Harry Daniels was the 13th child of baker in Wymondham, Norfolk. He joined the army at a young age and served abroad in India.

He was 30 years old, and a Company Sergeant-Major in the 2nd Battalion of The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own), British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 12 March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle, France, his unit was ordered into an advance on the German trenches across no-man's land which was covered by machine guns and strewn with barbed wire. Daniels and another man, Cecil Reginald Noble, voluntarily rushed in front with cutters and attacked the wires They were both wounded at once, Noble dying later of his wounds.[1]

For further activities on the Western Front he was awarded the Military Cross and later achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Daniels was a Freemason and was initiated into Aldershot Camp Lodge No. 1331 on 24 April 1920.[2]

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum at Winchester, England. He died having no children.

A road is named for him in his home town, Wymondham.[3]

References
  1. "No. 29146". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 April 1915. p. 4143.
  2. "Five freemasons from the province who won VCs". Insight (The Journal of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Freemasonry) (14): 18–19. November 2017.
  3. Google Earth


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