Memorial Details
Memorial
Plaque Wakenshaw 1942 St. Aloysius School
Reference
NUT160
Place
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Map ref
NZ 250 660
Original Location
St. Aloysius School, Lewis Drive, Newcastle upon Tyne.(Closed)
Present Location
St Cuthbert’s High School, Gretna Road, NE15 7PX.
Which war
1939-45
Memorial Description
Plaque on wood pattress. At centre top is a the badge of the Durham Light Infantry, at the bottom centre is the Victoria Cross. Lettering is in Roman capitals throughout.
Nearby is the story in a frame of the action in which Pte. Wakenshaw was killed, written in calligraphy, with the badge of the D.L.I. at the top, and the first word of each paragraph in red.
Nearby is the story in a frame of the action in which Pte. Wakenshaw was killed, written in calligraphy, with the badge of the D.L.I. at the top, and the first word of each paragraph in red.
Materials used
Brass on wood.
Inscription
In honour of Private Adam Wakenshaw
of the Durham Light Infantry
who was killed in action at
Mersa Matruh North Africa 27th June 1942
for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross
Names
See above
Notes
1. There are several memorials to Pte. Wakenshaw - at Brancepeth on B151.02, at Newcastle on NUT157, NUT162 and NUT166 and at Durham on D47.071 and in D47.014a, page 47
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: Kevin Milburn
External web link
Additional Notes
The framed story of Private Wakenshaw reads:
Private
Adam H. Wakenshaw V.C.
9th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry
1942
Libya
On June 27th, south of Mersa Matruh, Private Wakenshaw
was a member of the crew of a 2-pounder anti-tank gun
that was sited on the forward slope in front of the infantry
position. Shortly after dawn the enemy attacked and an enemy
tracked vehicle towing a light gun was brought to within short
range of the position. The gun crew opened fire and succeeded in
putting a round through the engine, immobilizing the enemy vehicle.
Another mobile gun then came into action. All the members of the
crew manning the 2-pounder, including Private Wakenshaw, were
killed or seriously wounded and the 2-pounder was silenced. In this
respite the enemy moved forward towards their damaged tractor
in order to get the light gun into action against our infantry.
Realising the danger to his comrades, under intense mortar and
artillery fire which swept the gun site, Private Wakenshaw crawled
back to his gun. Although his left arm was blown off above the
elbow he loaded the gun with one arm and fired five more rounds.
These succeeded in setting the tractor on fire and damaged the
light gun.
A near miss then killed the gun aimer and blew Private Wakenshaw
away from the gun giving him further severe wounds. Undeterred,
he slowly dragged himself back to the gun, placed a round in
the breech, and was preparing to fire when a direct hit on the
ammunition killed him and destroyed the gun.
In the evening after the action, the body of Private Wakenshaw
was found stretched out at the back of the breech-block beside
the ammunition box.
Private
Adam H. Wakenshaw V.C.
9th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry
1942
Libya
On June 27th, south of Mersa Matruh, Private Wakenshaw
was a member of the crew of a 2-pounder anti-tank gun
that was sited on the forward slope in front of the infantry
position. Shortly after dawn the enemy attacked and an enemy
tracked vehicle towing a light gun was brought to within short
range of the position. The gun crew opened fire and succeeded in
putting a round through the engine, immobilizing the enemy vehicle.
Another mobile gun then came into action. All the members of the
crew manning the 2-pounder, including Private Wakenshaw, were
killed or seriously wounded and the 2-pounder was silenced. In this
respite the enemy moved forward towards their damaged tractor
in order to get the light gun into action against our infantry.
Realising the danger to his comrades, under intense mortar and
artillery fire which swept the gun site, Private Wakenshaw crawled
back to his gun. Although his left arm was blown off above the
elbow he loaded the gun with one arm and fired five more rounds.
These succeeded in setting the tractor on fire and damaged the
light gun.
A near miss then killed the gun aimer and blew Private Wakenshaw
away from the gun giving him further severe wounds. Undeterred,
he slowly dragged himself back to the gun, placed a round in
the breech, and was preparing to fire when a direct hit on the
ammunition killed him and destroyed the gun.
In the evening after the action, the body of Private Wakenshaw
was found stretched out at the back of the breech-block beside
the ammunition box.
Research acknowledgements
Kevin Milburn
Research In Progress
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Plaque Wakenshaw 1942 St. Aloysius School (NUT160)
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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