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Remembered Today:

Captain Francis Victor Wallington MC***


ianjonesncl

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I came across information on the London Gazette which detailed there were four officers who won the Military Cross and three Bars during the First World War. The first to gain this distinction was  a Gunner Officer, Captain Francis Victor Wallington.

 

The Gazette - World War One Military Cross (MC)

 

With the help of  GWF Pals  charlie962    |  battiscombe  |   rflory  |   sadbrewer   |    IPT  | David_Underdown   | and Chris Baker's Long Long Trail, an account of his service can be presented.

 

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Captain Francis Victor Wallington MC***

 

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Captain Francis Victor Wallington MC***

 

Captain Francis Victor Wallington was a Gunner officer with the distinction of being the first of four officers who were awarded the Military Cross and three Bars. [1]

 

Francis Victor Wallington was the son of Christopher John Wallington, who served 33 years in the Army ending up as Garrison Sergeant Major Gibraltar [2.] Christopher John Wallington's three sons all served in the Regular Army, all were commissioned from the ranks. Francis Victor was awarded the Military Cross and three bars, brother Bertram James the Military Cross [3] and brother Christopher Thomas an OBE [4].

 

Francis Victor was born 16th October 1891 in Woolwich London to Bridget Maud Wallington (nee Kenney). [5] His father was a serving as a Quarter Master Sergeant at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich. [6]. Francis Victor had a brother Christopher John, and four sisters (Ellena Maud, Beatrice, Florence May, Eva Alice). [7] In 1893, Christopher John Wallington was appointed Garrison Sergeant Major Gibraltar, position he held till his retirement from the Army in 1903. [8] During the posting in Gibraltar, Bertram James Wallington was born on 30th March 1894. [9]. The eldest brother Christopher Thomas Wallington joined the Army in 1901. [10]

 

Christopher John Wallington died in 1905 and buried with full military honours, his carriage borne by A (Chestnut Troop) Battery RHA. [11]

 

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Francis Victor Wallington joined the Royal Horse Artillery in 1906 [12] and in 1911 was serving with I Battery RHA in Newbridge, Kildare, Ireland. [13] When war was declared on  4th August 1914, I Battery was based in Aldershot, part of 7 Brigade Royal Horse Artillery [14], equipped with QF 13 pounder guns. The 7th Brigade RHA mobilised as part of the Cavalry Division. [15] Francis Victor Wallington had risen to the rank of Bombardier and he is recorded arriving in France 15th August 1914,  [16] alongside was his brother Bertram James. [17] Their eldest brother Christopher Thomas was in South Africa serving as a Captain in the Army Ordnance Corps. [18]

 

I  Battery  RHA crossed to France between 15 and 18 August 1914,  the Cavalry Division units concentrating around Maubeuge between the 18th and 20th August. The Battery moved forward towards Mons on the 21st August, their first action being  the Battle of Mons on 23rd and 24th August, where the Cavalry Division formed the left flank. The Battery retreated from Mons, fighting at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Action at Néry, before taking part in the First Battle of the Marne. They advanced to participate in the First Battle of the Aisne, then moved north as part of the  Race to the Sea and would be engaged in the Battle of Messines 1914. [19] . The Battery was inspected by King George V on the 3rd December 1914 when he visited the 1st Cavalry Division. [20]

 

The next major actions for I Battery were during the Second Battle of Ypres, taking part in the in the Battle of Frezenberg, 9–13 May, and Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge, 24 May [21]. For the remainder of 1915, I Battery was in billets north west of St Omer,  with the exception of a brief period of deployment near Lens. In December the Battery was located at Liettres performing the duties of a depot battery which included providing instruction. [22]. On March 7th 1916, 4 officers, 48 NCO's and OR's were ordered by 1st Army to Givenchy to man four 18 pounder guns, taking over two sections from N Battery RHA. [23] The detachments were engaged on targets around Givenchy and Richebourg St Vaast. [24].

 

Sergeant Francis Victor Wallington was commissioned into the Royal Artillery on 30 May 1916, as a second lieutenant 'for service in the field' [25]. His brother Bertram James had been similarly commissioned on 19th March 1916 [26]

 

Francis Victor was posted to 179 brigade RFA, then to Z/39 Trench Mortar Battery; the war diary records;  "2 Lt Wallington from B/179 attached to Z/39". [27] Z/39 was a Medium Trench Mortar Battery (TMB) equipped with 2 inch mortars in the 39th Division. [28] On the 13th November 1916, the 39th Division were located east of Hamel, on the right flank of the 63rd Royal Naval Division. The 39th Division's artillery would support 63 (RN) Division on their assault on Beaucourt, in what was to become the Battle of the of the Ancre. [29]

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The war diary of the 39th Division TMB records on the 13th November  V/39, X/39 and Z/39 fired in support of an assault by the 63rd (RN) Division on the enemy's trenches. [30] During the battle 2/Lieutenant Wallington's actions would lead to the awarding of the Military Cross. [31]. The assault was a success, the enemy trenches were occupied,  the TMB'S war diary recording  V/36, X/39 and Z/39 firing from the captured enemy trenches on 16th November. [32]

 

Following the battle, the 39th Division withdrew from the line moving to the Ypres Sector for fourteen days rest and recuperation. The Divisional Artillery were back in the line from 9th December, the Trench Mortars in locations north of Ypres. [33]. On New Year's day 1917, 2Lt FV Wallington was posted from Z/39 to the Divisional Artillery. [34]

 

Francis Victor's Military Cross for his actions on 13th November at Beaucourt was published in the London Gazette  on the 26th January 1917; [35]

 

2nd Lt. Francis Victor Wallington, R.F.A., Spec. Res., attd. T.M. By.

‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He displayed great courage and skill during wire-cutting operations in preparation for the attack. Later, he brought a trench mortar forward to an exposed position under heavy fire.’

 

The War Diary of CRA 39th Division records awards made to the officers and men of the Divisional Artillery, noting that in addition to 2 Lt. Wallington being awarded the Military Cross, he was also Mentioned In Despatches. [36]

 

In January  1917, the Royal Artillery re-organised, which included the creation of Army Field Artillery (AFA) Brigades. Rather than all Field Artillery Brigades being attached to Divisions, AFA's would have a general support role being sent to different sectors as the situation required. [37] As part of this re-organisation a number of officers were posted from the 39th Division, 2 Lt. FV Wallington MC being one of nine destined for the 119th Army Field Artillery Brigade. [38] 119 Brigade had been in the Divisional Artillery of the 38th (Welsh) Division,  [39] to where it was initially allocated, [40] deploying in the Ypres Sector. [41]

 

On the 30th May 119 AFA Brigade was allocated to the 47th (London) Division [42], who were preparing for the Second Army's assault on the Messines Ridge, part of X Corps on the left flank. [43]

 

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In the early afternoon of 4th June, C Battery 119 AFA Brigade was heavily shelled by 15cm Howitzers demolishing two guns and wounding two men. A fire broke out in a gun pit in B Battery which was put out by 2/ Lieutenants FV Wallington and JO Liddel, together with Sergeant Hayward. [44] This action would earn Francis Victor Wallington a bar to his MC. [45]

 

The war diary of 119 Brigade RFA records their involvement in the Battle of Messines which began on 7th June. The war dairy also records being shelled by enemy artillery on a number of occasions [46]. During one of these bombardments, on 17th June, 2/Lieutenant Wallington earned his second bar to his MC rescuing men from a dugout buried by shell fire. [47]

 

2/Lieutenant Wallington' s first bar to his Military Cross was published 16 August, 1917 [48 ]

 

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award a Bar to the Military Cross to the undermentioned Officers:—

2nd Lt. Francis Victor Wallington, M.C., R.F.A.

 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed great coolness and courage under heavy shell fire on many occasions. A fire having broken out in a neighbouring battery's gunpits, he volunteered to extinguish it, which he succeeded in doing, working all the time under heavy shell fire.’

(M.C. gazetted 26th January, 1917.)

 

One week later, 25 August 1917, the second bar to  2/Lieutenant Wallington's MC was published in the London Gazette. [49]

 

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award a Second Bar to the Military Cross to the undermentioned Officer:—

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in rushing to a dug-out in which men had been buried by shell fire and attempting to dig out the men, aided by two other officers. He himself was in a state of collapse, but insisted on helping to carry the wounded to a dressing station under shell fire.’

(M.C. gazetted 26th January, 1917.)

(1st Bar gazetted 16th August, 1917.)

 

2/Lieutenant Wallington was promoted on 23rd November 1917 to acting Captain while serving as second-in-command of a battery. [50] Substantive promotion followed on  30th  November when he was promoted to lieutenant, retaining the acting rank of Captain. [51]

 

By March 1918, Captain FV Wallington was serving with 311 AFA Brigade. [52] The 311th was formed as a second line Territorial unit from the 2nd West Riding Brigade RFA and was part of the 62nd (2/ West Riding) Division until it became an Army Field Brigade in January 1917. [53]. On the 12th March 1918, the 311 AFA Brigade were allocated to the 24th Division within XIX Corps. [54]  When the German Army launched their Spring Offensive, Operation Michael, on 21st March 1918, XIX Corps was part of the Fifty Army in the Somme Sector, [55] near St Quentin as the assault took place. [56]

 

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The War Diary of 311 AFA Brigade recalls the events of that day; [57]

 

 VENDELLES Mar'18 21 -   About 5 am hostile barrage opened. All batteries fired counter preparation for 1 hour. Report received from tank gun of enemy patrol seen about 9 am, confirmation being obtained later from infantry. Before 12 noon B/311 main position evacuated, with loss of 2 guns; 2 anti tank guns, & 2 18 prs in B/311 forward section also fell into the enemy's hands. D/311 lost 3 hows destroyed by shell fire in the morning with 2 officers & 8 O.R.'s killed, wounded, & prisoner. At 2pm D/311 withdrew remaining 3 hows to rear positions, LT ???? assumed command D/311 vice Major HAY, wounded. At 4:30 pm D/311 withdrew under group orders to GENAVES farm, and was reinforced by a 4th how from wagon lines. At 11am Red line barrage came into force, all available batteries firing continuously. This barrage was shortened as information was received during the day. In the evening 1 gun of C/311 forward section was withdrawn to main position, the other falling into the enemy's hands, and A/311 withdrew all guns to rear position.

 

During the 21st March 1918, Captain FV Wallington's actions led to a third bar to his Military Cross [58]. Francis Victor's fourth Military Cross was published in the London Gazette 16th September 1918. [59]

 

AWARDED A THIRD BAR TO THE MILITARY CROSS

Lt. (A/Capt.) Francis Victor Wallington, M.C., R.F.A.

 

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty under close enemy machine-gun fire. This officer took forward two teams arid succeeded in moving off two guns. One of the teams was shot down, but he succeeded in bringing in the other gun. His gallantry and devotion to duty during recent operations was most marked.’

(M.C. gazetted 26th January, 1917.)

(1st Bar gazetted 16th August, 1917.)

(2nd Bar gazetted 25th August, 1917)

 

Captain Francis Victor Wallington's MC and three bars were reported in the West Riding, the  Sheffield Daily Telegraph for September 18th 1918 detailing his bravery. [60]

 

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 Leeds Mercury 1918 [61]

 

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When the First World War ended, Francis Victor MC*** and his brother  Bertram James MC had survived from the opening battle in Mons to the Armistice. Brother Christopher Thomas OBE was in South Africa. [62]

 

Francis Victor was married to Gwendoline Constance Newton at Christchurch Church, Norwood, Lambeth, 4th October 1919. [63] He continued to serve in the Army retiring on 2nd May 1923, granted the rank of Captain, and received a gratuity. [64]. He would re-join British Army on 7th March 1939 as an Administration Officer [65] with the 32 (7th City of London) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers. [66] He relinquished his appointment on 2nd September 1939. [67]

 

Francis Victor Wallington died 15th February 1971, aged 80, in Richmond, London. [68]

 

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References

---------------

[1]  https://www.thegazette.co.uk/awards-and-accreditation/content/100068

[2] Obituary Christopher John Wallington Kentish Observer 1905

[3] Medal Information Card WO-372-20-197507

[4] Medal Information Card WO-372-20-197518

[5] Ancestry

[6] 1911 Census

[7] Ancestry

[8] Obituary Christopher John Wallington Kentish Observer 1905

[9] Gibraltar National Archives Military Births

[10] Army List 1919 records 18 years' service.

[11] Obituary Christopher John Wallington Kentish Observer 1905

[12] For Conspicuous Gallantry... Scott Addington records 10 years' service in 1916

[13] 1911 Census

[14] Station of Units 1914

[15] Long Long Trail  http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-royal-artillery-in-the-first-world-war/the-royal-horse-artillery/

[16] Medal Information Card WO 372/20/197550

[17] 1914 Star Roll https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/283488-captain-francis-victor-wallington-mc-rfa/?do=findComment&comment=2914954

[18]  GWF https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/283488-captain-francis-victor-wallington-mc-rfa/?do=findComment&comment=283488

[19] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Parachute_Battery_(Bull's_Troop)_Royal_Horse_Artillery#First_World_War

[20] War Diary I Battery RHA - WO-95-1108-2_2 - 3rd Dec 1915

[21] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Parachute_Battery_(Bull's_Troop)_Royal_Horse_Artillery#First_World_War

[22] War Diary I Battery RHA - WO-95-1108-2_2 - September 1915 to March 1916

[23] War Diary I Battery RHA - WO-95-1108-2_2 - 7th March 1916

[24] War Diary I Battery RHA - WO-95-1108-2_2 - March / April 1916

[25] London Gazette 29650 page 6585 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29650/supplement/6585

[26] London Gazette 29544 page 3881 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29544/supplement/3881

[27] War Diary 179 Brigade RFA WO-95-2574-7 20th-July-1916

[28] A short history of the 39th (Deptford) Divisional Artillery 1915-1918 Table of Unit's appendix A

[29] Official History of the Great War Military Operations France and Belgium 1916 volume 2

[30] War Diary 39 Division TMB WO-95-2574 November 13 1916

[31] London Gazette announcements (WO 389) 26 Jan 1917: Z/39 Trench Mortar Battery, Beaucourt, 13 November 1916

[32] War Diary 39 Division TMB WO-95-2574 November 16 1916

[33] A short history of the 39th (Deptford) Divisional Artillery 1915-1918 - Ypres page 19

[34] War Diary 39 Division TMB WO-95-2574 January 1 1917

[35] London Gazette26 January 1917: (Gazette supplement 29921)

[36] War Diary CRA 39th Division WO-95-2570-1 - 26 Jan 1917

[37] History of Royal Regiment of Artillery Western Front 1914-18 Annex D - Farndale

[38] War Diary CRA 39th Division WO-95-2570-1 - 26 Jan 1917

[39] http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/38th-welsh-division/

[40] WO95-549 Allocation Units - 119 AFA Brigade RFA

[41] War Diary 119 AFA Brigade RFA WO-95-295-4_1  - February to May 1917

[42] WO95-549 Allocation Units - 119 AFA Brigade RFA

[43] The History of the 47th (London) Division 1914 - 1919

[44]  War Diary 119 AFA Brigade RFA WO-95-295-4_1 - 4th June

[45] London Gazette announcements (WO 389)16 Aug 1917: D/119 near Ypres, June 1917

[46]  War Diary 119 AFA Brigade RFA WO-95-295-4_1 - June 1917

[47] London Gazette announcements (WO 389) 25 Aug 1917: C/119 near Ypres 17 June 1917

[48] London Gazette 16 August 1917 Gazette issue 30234

[49]  London Gazette 25 August 1917 (Gazette supplement 30251)

[50] London Gazette 30398 page 12309 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30398/supplement/12309

[51] London Gazette 30618 page 4284 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30618/supplement/4285

[52] Obituary in the May 1971 Gunner, page 4  https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/283488-captain-francis-victor-wallington-mc-rfa/ details FV Wallington served with 311 Brigade.  Subsequent events and locations are consistent with the awarding  of 3rd Bar to MC whilst serving with 311 AFA Brigade.   Review of War Diary 119 AFA Brigade (WO-95-295-4_2) finds no entry of Captain FV Wallington leaving the Brigade. Review of War Diary 311 AFA Brigade (WO-95-205-2) finds no entry of Captain FV Wallington joining the Brigade.

[53]  Long Long Trail  http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/62nd-2nd-west-riding-division/

[54] WO95-549 Allocation Units - 311 AFA Brigade RFA

[55]  Military Operations France And Belgium -1918 Vol-i  Sketch 14.

[56] http://www.carto1418.fr/target/19180321.html

[57]  311 AFA Brigade WO-95-205-2 - 21st March 1918

[58] London Gazette announcements (WO 389) 16 Sep 1918: RFA. Vendelles 21 March 1918

[59] London Gazette 30901 page 10877 Gazette supplement 30901

[60] The British Newspaper Archive 

[61] FindmyPast Leeds Mercury 1918

[62] Army List 1919

[63] Ancestry

[64] London Gazette Issue 32819 page 3146

[65] London Gazette Issue 34620 page 2829

[66] GWF https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/283488-captain-francis-victor-wallington-mc-rfa/?do=findComment&comment=2914954

[67] London Gazette Issue 34922 page 5011

[68] Ancestry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Royal Artillery Museum 

Object of the month - July 2021

Military Cross and Three Bars – Lieutenant Francis Victor Wallington MC RA

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