Francis Arthur Jefferson

was just 22 years old when he found himself fighting at Cassino Italy with the
2nd Bn The Lancashire Fusiliers.
On 16 May 1944, during an attack on the Gustav Line, Monte Cassino, Italy, the leading company of Fusilier Jefferson's battalion had to dig in without protection. The enemy counter-attacked opening fire at short range, and Fusilier Jefferson, on his own initiative, seized a P.I.A.T. gun and, running forward under a hail of bullets, fired on the leading tank. It burst into flames and all the crew were killed. The Fusilier then reloaded and went towards the second tank which withdrew before he could get within range. By this time our own tanks had arrived and the enemy counter-attack was smashed.

Francis(always known as Frank to his mates) went on to be promoted L/Cpl, and was awarded the highest Military Honour of The Victoria Cross.
His award was announced in the London Gazette on the 13th July 1944.

Frank was born in Ulverston on the 18th August 1921, and he died in Bolton on the 4th September 1982.
His remains were cremated at Bolton, and his ashes spread on the War Memorial at Wellington Barracks Bury.

We who knew him were fortunate indeed.
Omnia Audax XXth

"The King recently held an investiture at Buckingham Palace.
42113.L/CPL Francis Jefferson
who received the Victoria Cross
with his mother and father.
13th July 1944.
London Gazette."

Copy of an E Mail Joe has received. Now we hope this will bring more of the Jefferson Family together

From: sandi771969@yahoo.com
To: the-editor@lancs-fusiliers.co.uk
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 7:25 PM
Subject: Frank Jefferson

Hello I was looking on the Internet and found your site. I am the granddaughter of Francis Jefferson. I think that it is wonderful you have pictures posted. Over the years the photos that my grandmother had have been lost. It was a great surprise that you had pictures of my grandparents wedding and picture of my Granddad when he was young. I want to thank you for being able to see a piece of my family's memories. If it is not to much trouble could you forward my email address to any family members I have. I have only memories of my Granddad from when he would come and stay with us when I was a child. I loved it when he visited I love him so much. My fondest memory of him was one year he came here for the Christmas holiday and buying him a hat with my allowance money. My Uncle told me that he had that hat until the day he died. It has been wonderful to talk a walk down memory lane.
Sincerely
Sandi Jefferson Valladares

Dear Captain Eastwood,

Please accept my apologies for the delay in answering your enquiry; this has
been partly due to difficulties in obtaining reasonable photographs of the
item in question. Your email was passed to me as I am the teacher
responsible for our Remembrance activities.

Firstly, I can confirm that UVHS used to be known as Victoria Secondary
School in the 1940's. UVHS was formed from the amalgamation of that school
and Ulverston Grammar School in 1969. The Jefferson Cup was indeed awarded
to the Senior Boys Victor Ludorum until amalgamation in 1969. Following
amalgamation, the Grammar School Victor Ludorum Shield was used for this
purpose and the Jefferson Cup was awarded to Senior Boys for victory in
individual events. Over the last 30 years it has been in constant use, its
precise role adapting to the changing needs of the Games curriculum in the
school. One such re-assessment is taking place at the moment.

Our Headteacher, Mr Fay, offered the suggestion that The Jefferson Cup could
be awarded to a student who has shown particular courage, not necessarily in
the sporting field, as this would be very much in the spirit of the actions
of Frank Jefferson. We would be interested in your views.

As you can see from the photographs, the cup reflects its constant use in
that the silver-plating has been worn away in places! The cup, and
particularly the man and actions it commemorates, have a significant place
in the life of the school to this day. This school takes seriously its role
in Remembrance; in particular we are proud of the way in which our students
respect the sacrifices of others. We hold a Remembrance service each year
and observe the 2 minute silence (choosing the nearest school day in the
event of the 11th falling on a weekend). I find it particularly interesting
that the respect of young people for these acts of Remembrance is increasing
as the years pass. Certainly they take them more seriously than students did
when I was at school in the 70's. We include in our thoughts not only those
who made the ultimate sacrifice, but those who suffered for others in all
aspects of conflict. Frank Jefferson and his actions formed part of the
lecture (which we include in our service) in 2005 and 2006. These services
considered particularly World War 2 and our two VC winners (the other being
Basil Weston, The Green Howards). Jefferson's actions in winning the VC were
quite spectacular and always impress students when they discuss them. Frank
Jefferson's framed photograph hangs in the foyer of our library, together
with our other Remembrance material.

Unfortunately we do not hold any more detailed information than that which
appears on your web-site. If you are aware of any I would be very interested
to pursue it. It is ironic that we have far more material about our First
World War students (photo-gallery, letters to the school magazine,
postcards from the front etc) than we do for those from the Second World
War. I also think that it is ironic that, because Frank Jefferson survived
the war, he seems to have been less remembered.

I attach an image of the cup. I'll send more photos in a second email, in
case size causes a problem. It is difficult to photograph so that you can
read the lettering, so I offer the transcription below:

JEFFERSON CUP
PRESENTED BY XX THE LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS TO COMMEMORATE THE WINNING OF THE
VICTORIA CROSS
BY F. JEFFERSON 2ND BN XX THE LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS
ITALY 16TH MAY 1944
A FORMER-PUPIL OF THE VICTORIA SECONDARY MODERN SCHOOL
ULVERSTON

Hope this is of help. I look forward to hearing from you.
Alastair Greenway
(English teacher; also in charge of Remembrance).

THE JEFFERSON CUP Click on any of the photos to enlarge them