Our Beloved Major
Major Vernon Harcourt de Butts Powell MC suffering from delayed onset of PTSD, successful on his second attempt to take his life during his second tour of the Western Front.
Vernon Powell born 23 January 1886 in Little Shelford, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Son of the late Rev. Harcourt Powell, of Wollaston Vicarage, Wellingborough, Northants, and Cecile H. Powell, Coventry, England.
Appleby Dramatic Club
Powell one of a small group of teachers founding Appleby in September 1911, and proved to be an extraordinarily popular and respected presence. During his three-year tenure, the first Housemaster in the McCraney house, which came to be known as Powell’s, and the originator of the Appleby Dramatic Club. He also directed All in Vain, 27 March 1912, the school’s first play.
Powel had entered College in Michaelmas Term, 1905. Aegr. Hist., 1909; B.A., 1910. A member of the University Contingent of the Officers’ Training Corps.
Tutor in Russia, Powell left Appleby in 1914 to join a cavalry regiment, but soon transferred to the Canadian Field Artillery. Vernon, a fine horseman, owned a seventeen-hand hunter he named Yeoman.
Lieutenant Vernon Harcourt de Butts Powell
Enlistment on 5 January 1915, Toronto, Ontario with the 15th Overseas Battery. At this time, 27 years, 11 months of age standing 5′ 8″ tall, 156 pounds, with dark complexion blue eyes, and black hair.
Previous service with 5th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, Oxford University OTC, 9th Mississauga Horse.
15th Battery, 4th Brigade, CFA.
Organized in November 1914 under the command of Major L E H Irving. Mobilized at Toronto and also recruited from the 4th Field Battery (Hamilton) and the 9th Field Battery (Toronto) Non-Permanent Active Militia. Left Montreal 28 May 1915 aboard NORTHLAND, and later arrived in England 8 June 1915 with a strength of 5 officers, 151 other ranks.
Arrived in France 15 September 1915 with the 4th Brigade, 2nd Canadian Divisional Artillery and later transferred to 6th Brigade 22 May 1916. Increased to 6 gun battery later on 19 March 1917 by addition of right section from 28th Battery.
Lieutenant Powell sailed to England on 20 June 1915.
Lt Vernon Harcourt Powell’s First Tour
Proceeded overseas 12 October 1915, 4th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery.
Lieutenant Powell granted leave from 19 to 27 February 1916.
Captain Vernon Harcourt de Butts Powell
Promoted Temporary Captain on 10 April 1916, London Gazette No. 29626, 16 July 1916.
Battle of Flers-Courcelette
GOC of the 2nd Division awards Powell the Military Cross, London Gazette 7 October 1916.
Powell awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry at the Battle of the Somme, where wounded. In October 1917, he burnt his hands badly in extinguishing a fire among live shells in a gun-pit, his quick action saving many lives.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He made a daring reconnaissance under very heavy fire, obtaining most valuable information and displaying great courage and ability throughout.
Supplement to The London Gazette, 16 November 1916
Captain Powell wounded severely during the Battle of Flers-Courelette. Admitted to Duchess of West. Hosp., Le Touquet, GSW, right thigh, severe, 10 October 1916.
To England
Kitchener Hospital, Brighton, 13 October 1916. Medical board states his wounds healed, attached to 4th Canadian Divisional Artillery, Witley, 4 December 1916. ToS 53rd Battery, 13th Brigade CFA, later on 8 December 1916.
Major Vernon Harcourt de Butts Powell MC
To be Temporary Major, 22 January 1917, London Gazette No 30065, 30016.
Transferred to 53rd Battery, 24 April 1917.
53rd Battery, 13th Brigade
Organized in January 1916 initially under the command of Captain Frank G Grierson. Mobilized at Kingston, and recruited from aquatic clubs in Toronto. Nucleus formed by personnel left in Canada when 34th Battery left for England.
Left Halifax 19 September 1916 aboard OLYMPIC, later arriving in England 25 September 1916. Absorbed part of 50th Battery on 22 January 1917 when battery was increased from four guns to six, and later arrived in France 21 August 1917 with the 13th Brigade, 5th Canadian Divisional Artillery.
Major Vernon Harcourt Powell’s Second Tour
Major Powell proceeded overseas for his second tour on 10 August 1917. Only a month later, wounded (hand) and remained at duty, 10 September 1917.
Powell’s physical injuries may have healed, but his experience on the Somme begins to trouble him some time during time in training. He proceeds to 5th Corps School, Boulogne, later on 27 October 1917.
Mills Bomb in Stove
Still behind the lines at Boulogne, Powell suddenly admitted to No 1 Casualty Clearing Station, multiple wounds, thigh and left leg sustained from explosion of bomb in stove, 7 December 1917.
At 13h00 the sound of an explosion heard in the dugout occupied by Major Powell found suffering from wounds received when a bomb, or some such article, which had apparently been in the coal exploded. Witnesses Bombardier Frank Stanley Lloyd 310785, Gunner John Thetford 207896, and F M Morris, CAMC find Powell lying face down outside the dugout.
PTSD
Alone in the dugout, an investigation determines Powell’s wounding to be accidental, also perhaps not recognizing his first suicide attempt, or not wishing to discredit their commanding officer.
Powell admitted to No 7 Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, 9 December 1917, and later transferred to Plymouth General Hospital, 15 December 1917. A diagnosis of Shell shock also made.
Haemorrhage Syncope
At 4th London General Hospital on 31 December 1917, Powell apparently on his way to recovery, but on 2 January 1918, showing no indication of suicide, he went to the nearby rifle range. After scoring 11 successive bulls, he turned the Winchester rifle upon himself. He died of wounds the same day.
Powell’s medial record soon notes, It has now been ascertained that this officer died from self-inflicted gun shot wound of head whilst of unsound mind -“Haemorrhage Syncope”.
LITTLE SHELFORD (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD
Major Vernon Harcourt de Butts Powell MC buried here on 6 January 1918. LITTLE SHELFORD (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom.
Three Commonwealth burials of the Great War and also one of the Second World War buried at Little Shelford (All Saints) Churchyard.
NOW WE SEE
THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY
BUT THEN FACE TO FACE
1. Cor. XIII. 12
Inscription provided by Mrs Cecile H Powell, 5, Regent Street, Coventry.
Vernon left his mother a $2,000 insurance policy and $413 in cash. He had left an unitelligible letter to his mother, before turning a small-arms Winchester upon himself.
Another tragic story at All Saints
Nurse Beris Seline Frances Burton-Fanning
A nurse burnt to death during the Great World War also buried in Little Shelford Churchyard. Beris Burton-Fanning died in October 1916. According to a death notice held by the Imperial War Museum: As the sad result of an, accident, the death occurred last week at Cambridge of Miss Beris Selina Frances Burton-Fanning, a member of the voluntary Aid Detachment working at the 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge, and quartered at Selwyn College.
Whilst talking to a colleague over her fire before going to bed Miss Burton-Fanning discovered that she was in flames. Believed a spark from the fire set her dressing gown alight. Daughter of Frederick William and Christabel Eleanor Newel Burton-Fanning of Norwich, Norfolk.
Beris also served at hospitals in Norwich. In 1919, her family also gave £750 to create the Nurses Aid Fund at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital to support other nurses in Beris’ memory.
Comments
One response to “Major Vernon Harcourt Powell MC in the Great War”
This man also influence one of Canada’s greatest actors.
https://18thbattalioncef.blog/2016/05/27/now-we-see-through-the-glass-darkly-but-then-face-to-face/