Memorial Details
Memorial
Bust Annand V.C. Town Hall
Reference
D47.117
Place
DURHAM CITY
Map ref
2842
Original Location
Town Hall, Market Place DH1 3NJ
Which war
1939-45
Memorial Description
Bust. This is set on a plinth with the name incised at the top. Below this is a brass Plaque with the DLI badge raised in half relief at the top, and telling the story of how the VC was won.
Materials used
Bronze bust on light oak plinth.
Inscription
On front of plinth:
Captain
Richard W.
Annand
V.C. D.L.
On brass plaque
Captain Richard Wallace Annand VC, DL
1914-2004
On the 15th of May 1940
The 2nd Bn The Durham light Infantry
were defending a bridge on the River Dyle
in Belgium. At about 11 am on that day the Germans
launched a violent attack and pushed forward a
bridging party into the sunken bottom of the river.
Second Lieutenant Annand attacked this party but
when ammunition ran out he went forward himself
over open ground, with total disregard for enemy.
mortar and machine-gun fire. Reaching the top of the
bridge, he drove out the party below, inflicting over
20 casualties with hand-grenades. Having been
wounded he rejoined his platoon, had his wound
dressed, and then carried on, in command.
During that evening, another attack was launched
by the Germans and again Second Lieutenant Annand
went forward with hand grenades and inflicted
further heavy casualties on the enemy.
During an air raid on the 3rd September 1940
In the Grand Hall of Buckingham Palace,
King George VI present Second Lieutenant Annand
With the Victoria Cross
“For Most Conspicuous Gallantry”,
The first awarded to the Army during the
Second World War.
Faithful.
On permanent loan from
The Durham Light Infantry
Association.
Richard W.
Annand
V.C. D.L.
1914-2004
On the 15th of May 1940
The 2nd Bn The Durham light Infantry
were defending a bridge on the River Dyle
in Belgium. At about 11 am on that day the Germans
launched a violent attack and pushed forward a
bridging party into the sunken bottom of the river.
Second Lieutenant Annand attacked this party but
when ammunition ran out he went forward himself
over open ground, with total disregard for enemy.
mortar and machine-gun fire. Reaching the top of the
bridge, he drove out the party below, inflicting over
20 casualties with hand-grenades. Having been
wounded he rejoined his platoon, had his wound
dressed, and then carried on, in command.
During that evening, another attack was launched
by the Germans and again Second Lieutenant Annand
went forward with hand grenades and inflicted
further heavy casualties on the enemy.
During an air raid on the 3rd September 1940
In the Grand Hall of Buckingham Palace,
King George VI present Second Lieutenant Annand
With the Victoria Cross
“For Most Conspicuous Gallantry”,
The first awarded to the Army during the
Second World War.
Faithful.
On permanent loan from
The Durham Light Infantry
Association.
Names
See above
Notes
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: Dorothy Hall; James Pasby
Beyond Praise: The Durham Light Infantrymen who were awarded the Victoria Cross; Stephen D. Shannon; County Durham Books, 1998; ISBN 1 897585 44 6
Beyond Praise: The Durham Light Infantrymen who were awarded the Victoria Cross; Stephen D. Shannon; County Durham Books, 1998; ISBN 1 897585 44 6
External web link
Research acknowledgements
Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
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Bust Annand V.C. Town Hall (D47.117)
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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