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Victoria Cross Winners
The Victoria Cross was created for valour and extreme courage beyond that normally expected of the British soldier in the face of the enemy.
In their short existence the Commando units of the Second World War won eight VC’s.
The CVA is proud to honour these brave soldiers on this page.
Lt Col. Geoffrey Keyes MC.VC.
No 11 Army Commando
Beda Littoria, Libya
17/18 November 1941 Lt Col Keyes conceived and put into action the daring raid on Rommels Headquarters at Beda Littoria in Libya.
After successfully landing 250 miles behind enemy lines Lt Col Keyes led a small detachment to the objective. He attacked the headquarters with only one officer and an NCO in support as the danger was of the highest level.
Lt Col Keyes broke into the headquarters and cleared one room of the enemy with his small arms. On bursting open the door of the second room Geoffrey Keyes was shot and fell mortally wounded. He died some moments later.
Geoffrey Keyes is buried in Benghazi War Cemetery Libya.
Lt Col. Charles Newman VC
C.O. No 2 Army Commando
The St Nazaire raid, France
27th March 1942
On the 27th March 1942 LtCol. Newman was the military commander of the forces taking part in the now legendary raid on the port at St. Nazaire, France
His inspirational leadership ensured the objectives of the operation were achieved and all demolition charges were successfully laid. His magnificent leadership further inspired his men to hold vastly superior numbers at bay.
After this he led and fought with his men through open country until, when all ammunition was spent, they were overwhelmed and taken prisoners.
Col. Newman after he was repatriated at the end of the war was to recommend a second VC winner Sgt. Tom Durrant for the award.
Sgt. Thomas Durrant VC
No1 Army Commando
The St Nazaire raid, France
27th March 1942
While manning a Lewis gun on a small motor launch ML306 and after the launch was challenged by a German Destroyer Sgt Durrant refused to surrender and continued to strafe the enemy ship. When challenged a second time and although wounded in several places Durrant continued the fight almost hitting the German commander. Calling for more ammunition and strapping himself to the gun Sgt. Durrant continued until he collapsed from the effect of the multiple wounds he had received. Sgt. Durrant died a short while after.
The commanding officer of the German Destroyer was so impressed with Tom Durrant's bravery and devotion to duty he sought out LtCol. Newman who had been taken prisoner in the same raid and told Newman that Sgt Durrant should recommended for the highest award possible.
Sgt Tom Durrant is to this day the only soldier to receive the VC for a naval action. Also his award is unique in that it was recommended by the enemy.
Maj. Patrick Porteus VC
No 4 Army Commando
Dieppe Raid, France
19th August 1942
During the Dieppe Raid on 19th August 1942 Patrick Porteus was acting as a liaison officer between two assault troops which were attacking the coastal gun battery.
In the early stages of the assault Porteus was shot through the arm but in spite of this disarmed and killed one of the enemy and saved the life of a sergeant.
After two officers of the assault troops were killed, and a sergeant wounded, Maj. Porteus dashed across open ground in the face of withering fire and took command and although wounded a second time drove the attack home until the objective was destroyed after which Maj. Porteus collapsed from his wounds.
Maj. Porteus survived the war and was promoted to Colonel. He Died in Oct. 2000.
Lance Cpl. Henry Harden VC
45 (RM) Commando
Brachterbreek, Holland
23rd January 1945
Henry Harden showing a selfless devotion to his duty as the medical orderly to the forward section of the troop to which he was posted succeeded in rescuing a wounded comrade who was lying in open ground. Although the area was being subjected to heavy and constant machine gun fire Harden went out a second time with stretcher bearers to rescue another wounded marine. On the return journey the wounded man was hit again and died. Undaunted Lance Cpl Harden went out a third time for another wounded comrade and calmly attended his wounds while being fired upon. However on the third journey home Henry Harden himself was hit and was killed.
Henry Eric Harden is buried in Nederweert War Cemetery Holland.
Lt. George Knowland VC
No 1 Army Commando
Hill 170, Kangaw, Burma
31st January 1945
Lt Knowland was a section leader in No 4 troop who were defending the north end of this crucial ground on Hill 170 near Kangaw.
The troop who were effectively cut off by the enemy came under a mass infantry attack of about 500 Japanese. Knowland responded by rallying his men and he himself attacking the enemy with all manner of weapons including a two inch mortar which he fired from the hip. When his Bren gun team became victims he took over the weapon calling for more ammunition. Time and again Lt Knowland's troop repulsed the ever increasing attacks until late in the battle Lt Knowland fell mortally wounded. His magnificent courage had inspired his men to hold fast and the crucial ground remained in the possession of the commando’s. This action secured the bridgehead and proved to be the critical point in the Arakan campaign.
Lt Knowland is buried in the Taukkyan War Cemetery Burma.
See an article about Lt. George Knowland on the Victoria Cross Society Journal website.
Corporal Thomas Hunter VC
43 (RM) Commando
Lake Comacchio, Italy
2nd April 1945
Cpl Hunters troop were under heavy and constant attack when Hunter made the decisive action to charge a group of house where three Spandau’s were positioned .
Picking up his Bren gun he charged the houses single handed across two hundred yards of open ground. Cpl Hunter came under intense fire but so determined was his charge that six gunner’s surrended and the rest fled. Changing magazines as he ran he cleared the house of the enemy. He drew heavy incoming fire but continued until the rest of his troop found safety. Shortly after Cpl Hunter was killed still firing his Bren gun.
Cpl Hunter is buried in the Argenta Gap Cemetery Italy.
Major Anders Lassen VC MC (Two Bars)
Attached 2 Special Service Brigade
Lake Comacchio, Italy
8th April 1945
After volunteering for special service Maj. Lassen had been attached to both the SBS and the SAS where he had won three MC’s.
In charge of a patrol which was instructed to cause as much damage and casualties as possible as a diversionary tactic Major Lassen succeeded.
Major Lassen leading the charge wiped out three enemy positions before being mortally wounded.
On the withdrawal Lassen refused to be evacuated so his men's lives would not be endangered
Major Lassen is buried in the Argenta Gap Cemetery Italy.
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