When Harry Wells finished his regular army service, he joined Kent Police for three years, however, being a regular reservist this clashed with the reserved occupation of a policeman, so he left the police and shortly after was recalled to the colours at the declaration of war in 1914. Harry was posted to the 2nd Battalion The Royal Sussex Regiment and went to France with the BEF taking part in the Great Retreat and the First Battle of Ypres. By 1915 he had become a Sergeant and at the Battle of Loos after all his officers and senior NCO’s had become casualties he rallied the survivors in a last push which ended in his death on the German wire and the award of the Victoria Cross for his courage and leadership, becoming the Regiment’s first VC of the conflict.
At 0150 hrs on Saturday 25th September 1915 the 2nd Battalion took up positions in the trenches opposite Hulluch. As part of the 1st Division’s attack, orders were to occupy the front line trenches directly they had been vacated by the 2nd Brigade’s first assaulting battalions, the 1st Loyal North Lancs., and 2nd Kings Royal Rifle Corps, and to then push on in supporting directly the assaulting battalions once they had gained a foothold in the German front line. The assault began at 0630 hrs in a grey drizzle with the wind veering and blowing smoke and gas back towards the British line. At this point it was not possible to observe the progress of the assault, so on their own initiative, the Company Commanders gave the order to advance, thus becoming part of the assaulting line. This advance was pushed right up to the enemy wire which was found to be uncut , and every officer and man who reached or got near the wire was either killed or wounded. The Royal Sussex Machine Gun Section attempted to reach the line but was annihilated close to the landmark of the Lone Tree. At about 1515 hrs the four officers of the 2nd Battalion gathered the remaining 70 men to form an assault line close to the Lone Tree and advanced, shortly after the Germans opposite surrendered and the front line was occupied. It was during this final assault that Sergeant Harry Wells, who was born in the village of Herne in Kent, won the Victoria Cross. His citation reads:-
”For the most conspicuous bravery near Le Routier on 25/9/15. When his platoon officer had been killed, he took command and led his men forward to within 15 yards of the German wire, nearly half the platoon was killed or wounded and the remainder much shaken, but with the utmost coolness and bravery, Sergeant Wells rallied them and led them forward. Finally, when very few were left, he stood up and urged them forward once more, but whilst doing so he himself was killed. He gave a magnificent display of courage and determination.”
The body of Sergeant Wells was later retrieved from the battlefield and was buried at Dud Corner Cemetery where he is surrounded by the names of many of his comrades inscribed on the Loos Memorial which form part of the cemetery.
The Association was approached by the Kent Police Armed Forces Network to see if we were willing to loan the VC of Sergeant Harry Wells for a year long exhibition at their museum in Faversham. This was put to the Directors who agreed the loan in principle, subject to security and insurance checks being successful. These were carried out and the medal was delivered to the museum in early April 2026. The exhibition was officially opened on 13th April by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent with the High Sheriff and Chief Constable in attendance. If anyone happens to be in the Faversham area, we recommend a visit to see the original medal as part of the display on Harry Wells as now that the Ashcroft collection has been closed at the IWM, there won’t be many opportunities to see a real VC. The museum is in Church Road Faversham, ME13 8AL and is open Thurs -Sat 1000 -1600 hrs except for bank holidays.
