Name
Anketell Moutray Read (VC)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/09/1915
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
Northamptonshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Victoria Cross
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DUD CORNER CEMETERY, LOOS
VII. F. 19.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Haileybury College memorials
Pre War
Born on 27 Oct 1884 in Cheltenham son of Col J M Read and of Mrs. E. Moutray Read of 17 Albany Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea. Educated at the United Services College 1898-1902 and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was well known as a Heavyweight Boxer and Champion of India eight times. Initially gazetted to the Gloucestershire Regiment he served with them in India for three years and transferred to the Northamptonshire Regiment in 1911. He joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1912
Wartime Service
He returned to the Northants Regiment and entered France on 11 Aug 1914 and fought at Mons and in the retreat to the Marne. He was fatally wounded at Loos. The London Gazette, No. 29371, dated 16 Nov 1915, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery during the first attack near Hulluch on the morning of 25 Sep 1915. Although partially gassed, Captain Read went out several times in order to rally parties of different units which were disorganised and retiring. He led them back into the firing line, and, utterly regardless of danger, moved freely about encouraging them under a withering fire. He was mortally wounded while carrying out this gallant work. Captain Read had previously shown conspicuous bravery during digging operations on 29, 30 and 31 Aug 1915, and on the night of the 29-30 Jul he carried out of action an officer, who was mortally wounded, under a hot fire from rifles and grenades."
Additional Information
United Services College, Westward Ho, Devon amalgamated with Imperial Service College in Windsor in 1912 and then moved to Haileybury College, Hertford Heath in 1942.
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox, Karen Smith - Acting Director of External Relations www.haileybury.com/honour
