1888 – 1915
Awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously for most conspicuous bravery near Le Rutoire, France on 25th September, 1915.
Was a constable in the Kent County Constabulary in Ashford and later worked at the Beaver Inn public house.
Harry Wells was born on 19th September 1888 at Hole Cottage, Maypole, Hoath, Kent; son of Samuel Wells and Emma, nee Rose. Harry was one of five children of Emma and Samuel. Emma having had another daughter before their marriage. Samuel was an agricultural labourer.
Harry was educated at Hoath School, leaving at the age of 14. He went on to work at Ridgeway Farm, Herne where he lost two fingers in an accident on a haymaking machine. He went on to work at Herne Mill before enlisting into the Royal Sussex Regiment on 25th October 1904. He served for six years, mostly as a battalion signaller in India, bur was on a posting in Curragh, Ireland when he transferred to the Reserve on 30th June 1911.
A month after leaving full time service, Harry joined the Kent County Constabulary and was stationed at Ashford. He resigned the police force 30 months later, after which he lived and worked at the Beaver Inn in South Ashford.
He was recalled to the Royal Sussex Regiment on the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914 and arrived in France with the British Expeditionary Force on 12 August 1914 as a Lance Corporal.
Few specific details are available of Harry’s service during the first year of the War but the 2nd Battalion, of which he was a member took part in the Battle of Mons in August 1914, the Battle of the Marne in September 1914, the Battle of the Aisne in September 1914 and the First Battle of Ypres in November 1914 as well as the Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915.
Harry was wounded three times and was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal for laying telephone wires under fire. Thanks to his experience and leadership, he was promoted quickly to Sergeant.
On 25 September 1915 the Allies launched a new joint attack on the Western Front. The French went on the offensive in Champagne and Artois, while the British fought at Loos.
“When his platoon officer had been killed, [Harry] took command and led his men forward to within 15 yards of the German wire, nearly half the platoon was killed or wounded and the remainder much shaken, but with the utmost coolness and bravery, Sergeant Wells rallied them and led them forward. Finally, when very few were left, he stood up and urged them forward once more, but whilst doing so he himself was killed. He gave a magnificent display of courage and determination.”
Harry was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously in November 1915.
Serjeant L/8088 Harry Wells VC was buried with many other 2nd Battalion men close to Le Rutoire Farm, and in the early 1920s his grave was moved to Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos.
He is remembered on Herne Bay War Memorial, Ashford Civic War Memorial, Christchurch (South Ashford) War Memorial, on a memorial in St Bartholomew’s Church, Herne Bay and the Royal Sussex Regiment’s War Memorial, Chichester Cathedral, Sussex. In Herne Bay, Harry Wells Road is named in his honour.
Harry was a single man and his Victoria Cross was presented to his mother by H.M The King George V at Buckingham Palace on 29th November 1916. In addition to his Victoria Cross, he was awarded the 1914 Star with “Mons” clasp, British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal.
His medals were later presented to the Regiment by his sister-in-law and were held by the Royal Sussex Regiment Museum in Eastbourne however, at the time of writing the museum has been forced to vacate The Redoubt Fortress following extensive renovation. The regiment’s Victoria Cross collection and other memorabilia and artefacts were placed in storage until a new home could be found.
In April 2026 was loaned to the Kent Police Museum.
Bibliography:
Harry Wells VC, victoriacrossonline, victoriacrossonline.co.uk/harry-wells-vc/ , retrieved 20 April 2024
Harry Wells VC, The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, vcgca.org/our-people/profile/262/Harry–WELLS, retrieved 20th April 2024
Battle of Loos, The National Army Museum, www.nam.ac.uk/explore/battle-loos, retrieved 20 April 2024
Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 16 November 1915, 18 November 1915, Numb. 29371, pp. 11448-49, www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29371/supplement/11448
The VC, Herne Bay Press, 4 March 2015, p 6
Victoria Cross awarded to Sergeant Harry Wells, Kent Police Museum, www.kent.police.uk/police-forces/kent-police/areas/kent-police/about-us/about-us/kent-police-museum/victoria-cross-awarded-to-sergeant-harry-wells/, retrieved 20 April 2024
Leave a Reply