Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Captain

Unit : 7th Bn

Biography :

educated at Waldron Road, Earlsfield and the Higher Education Centre at Aristotle Road, Clapham, London, 'Jim' Vanner enlisted as a Rifleman in The Queen's Westminster Rifles (3/16th London Regiment). He was commissioned into 11th Reserve Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment on 14.1.1916, going to Plymouth School for officer training on 24 Jan. He finally reached the Western Front in July that year, when the Battle of the Somme was raging and there was a great need for reinforcements to make up for the huge losses sustained so far. So it was that Jim Vanner did not serve with the South Staffordshires, but instead was sent almost immediately in a draft of 20 new officers to reinforce the 7th Battalion The Leicestershire Regiment. He served with this unit throughout the war, and indeed was still serving at the time of his death in 1919.
He was awarded both the Distinguished Service Order, and the Military Cross and Bar. Promoted Lt on 12.3.1917. Promoted captain on 1.4.1917. His first M.C. was awarded for his actions on 3.5.1917 when the Leicestershire Brigade took part in a major assault on the Hindenburg Line positions, part of the wider Battle of Bullecourt, which was unsuccessful and resulted in large numbers of the two attacking Battalions (8th and 9th) being taken prisoner. Jim Vanner was awarded the Military Cross for his part in relieving the pressure on the 8th and 9th Battalions, so allowing them to withdraw. "In the vicinity of Fontaine Wood he showed conspicuous gallantry when leading and controlling the front line of an attack, and in making a daring reconnaissance under heavy fire to clear up a critical situation. He then consolidated the line taken and repulsed a strong counter-attack." The D.S.O. was awarded following the German Offensive on 21.3.1918, the first day of the Kaiser's Offensive in the Leicestershire sector near Epehy village; "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while in command of two companies during a withdrawal. He made a block in a railway cutting and caused the demolition of two bridges over the railway while the enemy were crossing. His was fine conduct throughout." L.G. 26.7.1918). He was awarded a Bar to MC for actions on 24.8.1918 fighting on the old Somme battlefield near the Ancre, "For conspicuous gallantry and fine leadership during an advance. His company and another became detached from the rest of the battalion, but in spite of this he was instrumental in rounding up four machine guns and strong points, with the result that seventy-eight prisoners were captured. He displayed great skill and courage until wounded later in the operations." (L.G 2.12.1918). Awarded a Mention in Despatches (L.G. 27.12.1918). These medals and a collection of personal papers are in the collection of Leicester City Museums Service. He died of tuberculosis contracted after being wounded and the effects of gas poisoning, on 19.3.1919, aged 22. He is buried at the Poole (Branksome) Cemetery, Dorset. He is also commemorated on the Memorial to the Staff of the Ministry of Labour, now hanging in Caxton House, Tothill Street, London SW1.
See also http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.dti.gov.uk/warmemorial/ww1/274.htm

Date of Birth : 23.3.1896

Place of Birth : Earlsfield, London

Date of Death : 19.3.1919

Place of Death : Bournemouth, Dorset

Civil Occupation : Board of Trade

Period of Service : 1915-19

Conflicts : WW1

Places Served : & & France