Percy Howard Hansen VC

Name: Percy Howard Hansen

Conflict: First World War

Gazetted: October 1, 1915

Service: Army

Place/date of birth: Dresden, Germany/October 26, 1890

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Captain (Honorary Brigadier)

Date of bravery: August 9, 1915

London Gazette citation:

Captain Percy Howard Hansen, Adjutant, 6th (Service) Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment.

For most conspicuous bravery on 9th August, 1915, at Yilghin Burnu, Gallipoli Peninsula.

After the second capture of the “Green Knoll” his Battalion was forced to retire, leaving some wounded behind, owing to the intense heat from the scrub which had been set on fire.

When the retirement was effected Captain Hansen, with three or four volunteers, on his own initiative, dashed forward several times some 300 to 400 yards over open ground into the scrub under a terrific fire, and succeeded in rescuing from inevitable death by burning no less than six wounded men.

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: DSO & MC

Place/date of death: Kensington, London/February 12, 1951

Grave/memorials: Funeral in London but ashes interred in a family vault in Copenhagen, Denmark/Name on Eton College’s VC and GC memorial

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased privately, 2017

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum