Memorial

Bust Annand V.C. Town Hall

Durham City

Memorial Name: Bust Annand V.C. Town Hall (D47.117)

NEWMP Ref No.: D47.117

Parish: Durham City

Original Location:

Town Hall, Market Place DH1 3NJ

Which War:

1939-45

Materials Used:

Bronze bust on light oak pedestal.

Inscription:

On front of pedestal:
Captain
Richard W.
Annand
VC DL

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 presented 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.

Memorial Description:

Bust.

This is set on a pedestal with the name incised at the top.

Below this is a brass plaque with the D.L.I. badge raised in half relief at the top, and telling the story of how the Victoria Cross was won.

Names:

See above

Notes:

1. Capt. Annand is remembered at Durham on D47.071 D47.096 and D47.140