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Foote, Henry Robert Bowreman

Date of birth:
December 5th, 1904 (Ishapur, Bengal, India)
Date of death:
November 11th, 1993 (Pulborough, Sussex, Great Britain)
Buried on:
St Mary's Church Churchyard
Service number:
31938
Nationality:
British

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit:
7th Royal Tank Regiment, 32nd Army Tank Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:
August 13th, 1942
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit:
7th Royal Tank Regiment, 32nd Army Tank Brigade, 70th Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:
May 18th, 1944
Awarded for:
Operation Crusader
Citation:
"For outstanding gallantry during the periods 27th May to 15th June, 1942.
On 6th June, Lt.Col. Foote led his Battalion, which had been subjected to very heavy artillery fire, in pursuit of a superior force of the enemy. While changing to another tank after his own had been knocked out, Lt.Col. Foote was wounded in the neck. In spite of this he continued to lead his Battalion from an exposed position on the outside of a tank.
On June 13th, when ordered to delay the enemy's tanks so that the Guards Brigade could be withdrawn from the Knightsbridge escarpment and when the first wave of our tanks had been destroyed, Lieutenant Colonel Foote re-organized the remaining tanks, going on foot from one tank to another to encourage the crews under intense artillery and anti-tank fire.
As it was of vital importance that his battalion should not give ground, Lieutenant Colonel Foote placed his tank, which he had then entered, in front of the others so that he could be plainly visible in the turret as an encouragement to the other crews, in spite of the tank being badly damaged by shell-fire and all its guns rendered useless. By his magnificent example the corridor was kept open and the brigade was able to march through.
Lieutenant Colonel Foote was always at the crucial point at the right moment, and over a period of several days gave an example of outstanding courage and leadership that it would have been difficult to surpass. His name was a byword for bravery and leadership throughout the brigade. "
Victoria Cross (VC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant-Colonel
Awarded on:
March 22nd, 1945
Citation (general):
"In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field."
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Brigadier
Awarded on:
November 29th, 1945
Citation:
"In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy."
Mentioned in Dispatches
Awarded on:
January 1st, 1952
Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB, Military Division)

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