Le Patourel, Herbert Wallace

Date of birth:: June 20th, 1916 (Guernsey, Channel Islands)
Date of death:: September 4th, 1979 (Chewton/Somerset, Great Britain)
Service number:: 72117
Nationality:: British

Biography

Promotions:
1938: Lieutenant
1941: Captain
?: Major
?: Lieutenant Colonel
?: Colonel
?: Brigadier

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Victoria Cross (VC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Major
Unit:: 2nd Battalion The Hampshire Regiment, 1st Guards Brigade, 78th Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:: March 9th, 1943

Citation:
"For conspicuous gallantry in action in the TEBOURBA area on the 3rd December, 1942. On the afternoon of the 3rd December, 1942, the enemy had occupied an important high feature on the left of the Company commanded by this officer. Counter-attacks by a Company of another Battalion and detachments of Major Le Patourel's Company had been unable to regain the position. This officer then personally led four volunteers under very heavy fire to the top in a last attempt to dislodge several enemy machine guns. The party was heavily engaged by machine gun fire and Major Le Patourel rallied his men several times and engaged the enemy, silencing several machine gun posts. Finally when the remainder of his party were all killed or wounded, he went forward alone with a pistol and some grenades to attack enemy machine guns at close quarters and from this action did not return. From reports received from wounded men, this officer died of wounds. Major Le Patourel's most gallant conduct and self sacrifice, his brilliant leadership and tenacious devotion to duty in the face of a determined enemy were beyond praise."

Later promoted to the rank of Brigadier.
Major Le Patourel’s Victoria Cross is publicly displayed at the Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum & Memorial Garden in Winchester, Great Britain.
Herbert Wallace Le Patourel, South Bristol Crematorium, Great Britain.