Name
John Stanhope Collings-Wells (VC, DSO)
19 Jul 1880
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/03/1918
38
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant Colonel
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BOUZINCOURT RIDGE CEMETERY, ALBERT
III E 12
France
Headstone Inscription
In Proud and Loving Memory ' i am the resurrection and the Life. He that believe in me, Though He were dead Yet shall he live'
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield War Memorial, Markyate Village Memorial, St John The Baptist Church Memorial, Markyate Individual Plaque St John The Baptist Church, Markyate, Memorial Window St John The Baptist Church, Markyate, 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (Herts Militia0 Plaque, St Eldreda's, Church, Hatfield
Pre War
John Stanhope Collings- Wells was born on 19 Jul 1880 in Rusholme, Lancashire to Arthur Collings Wells, engineers carter & agent, and Caroline Mary (nee Eisdell).
On the 1881 His parents and John were living at 3 Albert Place, Rusholme.
On the 1891 Census his parents, Russel Primrose (born 1882), Mabel Bertha (born 1884), Alice Madeline (born 1886) and Leonard (born 1890) were living at Mill Hill, Hendon.
He was educated at Uppingham School and at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1900).
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, John, Russel, Mabel, Bertha, Alice Madeline and Leonard were living at Caddington Hall, Caddington, Markyate.
John was commissioned in the 4th (Herts Militia) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment on 17 Sep 1904 and on 3 Nov 1907 was promoted to Captain
On the 1911 Census the family of parents, John (an Engineer), Alice and Leonard were living at Caddington Hall.
Wartime Service
On the outbreak of the Great War in Aug 1914 John was serving with the Militia but obtained a posting to the 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment who had returned from South Africa and had been redeployed to Belgium, landing at Zeebrugge in early Oct 1914. John went France on 6 Nov 1914 to Join 2nd Battalion now positioned at Ypres. He would arrived at a time between major engagements but he was wounded on 12 Jan 1915 and evacuated to UK. John was appointed Major (Temp) on 30 Jan 1916 and placed in command of'A' Company in the 4th Battalion which was the Extra Reserve Battalion of the Regiment. This Battalion had been converted for War Service and landed in Franc on 15 Jul 1916 to become part 0f 190 Brigade in 63 (Royal Naval) Division. John was appointed 2 i/c of the 4th Battalion on 4 Sep 1916 and promoted to Lt Colonel on 20 Oct 1916. The Battalion took part in one of the last battles of the Somme: the Battle of Ancre (13-18 Nov 1916) and in 1917 remained to take part in Operations on the Ancre (20 Jan-13 Mar 1917). The 4th Beds and the Division moved to the Arras sector taking part in 2nd Battle of the Scarpe (23 – 24 April 1917, in which John won his DSO (23 Apr) and the RND captured Gavrelle. John led a composite Battalion of 4th Beds and 7th Royal Fusiliers on 29 Apr 1917 to capture Oppy Ridge during the Battle of Arleux (28 – 29 Apr 1917, John was mentioned in Dispatches (published Nov 1917).
The Division & 4th Beds were deployed to Ypres where they took part in Third Ypres phase of the 2nd Battle of Passchendaele (26 Oct – 10 Nov 1917).
In 1918 the Germans launched their Spring Offensive and the RND and 4 Beds were called into action at St Quentin (21-23 Mar), Bapaume (24-25 Mar 1918). During this period of fighting from Marcoing to Albert, (22-27 Mar 1918) John committed the deeds in which he earned his Victoria Cross. The Citation read:
‘For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and handling of his battalion in very critical situations during a withdrawal.
When the rear guard was almost surrounded and in great danger of being captured, Lieutenant-Colonel Collings-Wells, realising the situation, called for volunteers to remain behind and hold up the enemy whilst the remainder of the rear guard withdrew and, with his small body of volunteers held them up for over one and a half hours until they had expended every round of ammunition. During this time he moved freely amongst his men, guiding them and encouraging them and, by his great courage, undoubtedly saved the situation.
On a subsequent occasion, when his battalion was ordered to carry out a counter -attack, he showed the greatest bravery. Knowing that his men were extremely tired after six days fighting, he placed himself in front and led the attack and, even when twice wounded, refused to leave them, but continued to lead and encourage his men until he was killed at the moment of gaining their objective. The successful results of the operation were, without doubt, due to the undaunted courage exhibited by this officer.—London Gazette, 24 April 1918’
He died in action on 27 March 1918.
Additional Information
Arrears of £324 12s 6d was paid to his father and probate of £7406 5s 2d was granted to his father. Brother Russel Primrose Collings Wells served with 15th (the King’s) Hussars from 1902 in India and South Africa, in the Great War went to France on 18 Aug 1914 and was severely wounded at Mons, He later commanded armoured cars in Egypt. He survived gaining a DSO.
Brother Leonard Collings Wells became a Coffee Planter in Kenya and served in the 1st Battalion King’s African Rifles, was wounded in his first action at Mbuyuni (July 1915) Gunshot wounded through elbow and recovered but had little feeling lower arm which precluded further Military Service. Survived Great War.
John’s first Cousin, James Bowen Primrose Wells and a Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion was wounded on 27 Mar 1918 in the same action as John Stanhope but was later reported as having died of his wounds while a POW of Germans on 4 Apr 1918. He had enlisted as Private 77820 in Victoria, British Columbia on 18 Nov 1914 and came to UK with Canadian Forces and obtained a Commission on 25 May 1915 in the Bedfordshire Regiment. James father was Dr Arthur Primrose Wells of Pinner Wood, Pinner.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Anne & Gordon Mead
