John Vereker
1886 - 1946
1886 - 1946
Born in London on 10 July, 1886, John Standish Surtees Prendergast Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort, VC, GCB, CBE, DSO, Two Bars, MVO, MC was, as his collection of medals suggests, an exceptionally brave man. Wounded three times throughout the war, he was also mentioned in despatches eight times.
Born in London on 10 July, 1886, John Standish Surtees Prendergast Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort, VC, GCB, CBE, DSO, Two Bars, MVO, MC was, as his collection of medals suggests, an exceptionally brave man. Wounded three times throughout the war, he was also mentioned in despatches eight times.
He grew up in County Durham and on the Isle of Wight. He was educated at Malvern Link Preparatory School and Harrow.
He grew up in County Durham and on the Isle of Wight. He was educated at Malvern Link Preparatory School and Harrow.
Lord Gort succeeded to the title in 1902.
Lord Gort succeeded to the title in 1902.
Before joining the Grenadiers Guards in 1905, he pursued his passion for racing, and rode as an amateur. He rode a winner in both 1911 & 1913: only the outbreak of war stopped him from riding more.
Before joining the Grenadiers Guards in 1905, he pursued his passion for racing, and rode as an amateur. He rode a winner in both 1911 & 1913: only the outbreak of war stopped him from riding more.
In August, 1914, he was appointed Aide de Campe to the commander of 1 Corps, Sir Douglas Haig.
In August, 1914, he was appointed Aide de Campe to the commander of 1 Corps, Sir Douglas Haig.
He steadily rose through the ranks and won, despite being wounded, his DSO at the third battle of Ypres in July, 1917.
He steadily rose through the ranks and won, despite being wounded, his DSO at the third battle of Ypres in July, 1917.
Gort was wounded a second time on 27 September, 1918, during an attack of the Canal du Nord at Flesquieres in France. For his actions that day he was awarded the Victoria Cross. The actual citation reads...
Gort was wounded a second time on 27 September, 1918, during an attack of the Canal du Nord at Flesquieres in France. For his actions that day he was awarded the Victoria Cross. The actual citation reads...
Captain (Brevet Major, Acting Lieutenant-Colonel), 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards
Captain (Brevet Major, Acting Lieutenant-Colonel), 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards
Citation: For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and devotion to duty during the attack of the Guards Division on 27th September 1918, across the Canal du Nord, near Flesquieres, when in command of the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, the leading battalion of the 3rd Guards Brigade. Under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire he led his battalion with great skill and determination to the "forming-up" ground, where very severe fire from artillery and machine guns was again encountered. Although wounded, he quickly grasped the situation, directed a platoon to proceed down a sunken road to make a flanking attack, and, under terrific fire, went across open ground to obtain the assistance of a Tank, which he personally led and directed to the best possible advantage. While thus fearlessly exposing himself, he was again severely wounded by a shell. Notwithstanding considerable loss of blood, after lying on a stretcher for a while, he insisted on getting up and personally directing the further attack. By his magnificent example of devotion to duty and utter disregard of personal safety all ranks were inspired to exert themselves to the utmost, and the attack resulted in the capture of over 200 prisoners, two batteries of field guns and numerous machine guns. Lt.-Col. Viscount Gort then proceeded to organise the defence of the captured position until he collapsed; even then he refused to leave the field until he had seen the "success signal" go up on the final objective. The successful advance of the battalion was mainly due to the valour, devotion and leadership of this very gallant officer.
Citation: For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and devotion to duty during the attack of the Guards Division on 27th September 1918, across the Canal du Nord, near Flesquieres, when in command of the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, the leading battalion of the 3rd Guards Brigade. Under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire he led his battalion with great skill and determination to the "forming-up" ground, where very severe fire from artillery and machine guns was again encountered. Although wounded, he quickly grasped the situation, directed a platoon to proceed down a sunken road to make a flanking attack, and, under terrific fire, went across open ground to obtain the assistance of a Tank, which he personally led and directed to the best possible advantage. While thus fearlessly exposing himself, he was again severely wounded by a shell. Notwithstanding considerable loss of blood, after lying on a stretcher for a while, he insisted on getting up and personally directing the further attack. By his magnificent example of devotion to duty and utter disregard of personal safety all ranks were inspired to exert themselves to the utmost, and the attack resulted in the capture of over 200 prisoners, two batteries of field guns and numerous machine guns. Lt.-Col. Viscount Gort then proceeded to organise the defence of the captured position until he collapsed; even then he refused to leave the field until he had seen the "success signal" go up on the final objective. The successful advance of the battalion was mainly due to the valour, devotion and leadership of this very gallant officer.
After the war, he became an instructor at various Army Colleges, rising to the rank of Colonel.
After the war, he became an instructor at various Army Colleges, rising to the rank of Colonel.
At the start of WW2, he became the Commander-in-Chief of the BEF and, in this role, organised the evacuation of Dunkirk.
At the start of WW2, he became the Commander-in-Chief of the BEF and, in this role, organised the evacuation of Dunkirk.
Having been posted to Palestine from 1944 -1945, he became terminally ill and returned to Britain.
Having been posted to Palestine from 1944 -1945, he became terminally ill and returned to Britain.
He died of liver cancer in Guy's Hospital on 31 March, 1946. He was 59, and buried in the Sidney family vault at St John the Baptist, Penhurst, Kent.
He died of liver cancer in Guy's Hospital on 31 March, 1946. He was 59, and buried in the Sidney family vault at St John the Baptist, Penhurst, Kent.
Unfortunately, his reputation suffered after the war owing to a number of critical accounts of his handling of the BEF. His death robbed him of the chance to put into print his own account.
Unfortunately, his reputation suffered after the war owing to a number of critical accounts of his handling of the BEF. His death robbed him of the chance to put into print his own account.