Turn up your volume up to hear Frank telling his own story
VC Francis Arthur Jefferson: Outline
of military service record
Enlisted in the South Lancashire Regiment on 19 February 1942 and posted to No. 19 Infantry Training Centre, Formby, Lancashire. His religious denomination was Church of England. Posted to 1/4th Battalion on 30 June 1942. Appointed Unpaid Lance Corporal and Paid Lance Corporal on 14 August 1942. Relinquished the rank of Paid Lance Corporal on admission to High Royds EMS Hospital, Menston, Yorkshire on 18 September 1942. Posted to Y List on 5 October 1942. Sailed for North Africa on 17 May 1943, arriving on 27 May. Transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers on 14 June 1943 and posted to No. 13 Platoon, 2nd Battalion. To Italy where he was appointed a Company Runner with 'C' Company. Returned to 13 Platoon and took part in action on the Gustav Line at Monte Cassino, Italy on 16 May 1944 Promoted Lance Corporal on 17 May 1944. Received a shrapnel wound to his shoulder on 21 June 1944. Evacuated to England by air, arriving on 26 August 1944 and was admitted to the military hospital at Catterick, Yorkshire. Posted to No. 5 ID on the following day. Posted to Service Speakers Section, Ministry of Supply on 22 September 1944 and sent on a Victory Bond Tour throughout the United Kingdom. Relinquished appointment of Lance Corporal on 24 October 1944. Posted top 6th Infantry Holding Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers on 14 March 1945. Admitted to Military Hospital, Colchester, Essex on 22 May 1945. Returned to duty on 28 May 1945. Proceeded on Release Leave on 27 June 1946. Discharged to Class B release on 17 July 1946. Re-enlisted in G Corps of Infantry, Northamptonshire Regiment, (Territorial Army) on 4 January 1950 at Peterborough, Northamptonshire and posted to 5th Battalion (No. 22259612). Description: 5 5½" tall, weighed 138lbs with brown eyes and fair hair. Posted to Class W (T) Reserve on 29 June
1951. |
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Turn
your speakers on to hear Frank Jefferson VC
telling his account of the action that day give it time to download |
The righthand photo has been enhanced by Russell
Hayley one of the Jefferson Family
FROM THE TANK MUSEUM AT BOVINGTON. The photograph shows what appears to be an assault gun: Sturmgeschutz 40 Ausf. G (StuG III Ausf. G). Basically, the Germans used the hull of a Panzer III (the turret was removed) and fitted a 7,5cm gun into the front of the superstructure. Assault guns were widely used and were difficult to spot given their low silhouette. They were employed as assault gun (Sturmgeschutz) / tank destroyers usually in detachments both independent and attached to divisions. They were used at Monte Cassino and there are a number of photos in existence.which show them knocked out. |
was just 22 years old when
he found himself fighting at Cassino Italy with the Frank was born in Ulverston
on the 18th August 1921, and he died in Bolton on the 4th September
1982. We who knew him were fortunate
indeed. |
Hello
Not a military related story but one I thought might show Frank in another light. I knew him as a young lad when he used to pop in the Clifton Arms and Bolton and used to take me or one of my brothers to watch Bolton Wanderers when we were to young to go on our own, at least because our Parent's were working at the time. I recall him showing me his war memorabilia and if I recall correctly his VC which to me was a great honour. It's not every day you meet such a person let alone get to see such an item without there being a glass case in between. I also recall with amusement being shocked at some of the words I didn't realise he knew when shouting comments at the referee or opposing players. We moved away before he passed away but did hear about him in the news and via my dad who still called in the Clifton a lot. All these years later with a grown up lad of my own, I still remember the nice old guy, with a slight American accent who enjoyed a good game of football (yes it can happen at Bolton sometimes) and feeling privileged to see a Victoria Cross in the presence of someone who earned it. Regards, Declan Close |
Copy of an E Mail Joe has received. Now we hope this will bring more of the Jefferson Family together From: sandi771969@yahoo.com 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. |
Frank lived in America for sometime whilst he was
there they had a VC Ball in his Honour
Joe bought this programme on E Bay |
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First Name:
Francis Arthur Surname: Jefferson DOB: 18/08/1921 Age: 22 Birth Town: Ulverston Birth County: Lancashire Nationality: British Resided Country: England Date of Action: 16/05/1944 Date of Death: 04/09/1982 Information: Later Lance-Corporal. Rank: Fusilier Service Number: 3663590 Gazette Info: VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36605/supplement/3273. No. 3663590 Fusilier Francis Arthur Jefferson, 2nd Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers. On 16th May 1944 during an attack on the Gustav Line, Monte Casino, 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. Gazette Date: 11/07/1944 (V.C.) Gazette Page: 3273 (V.C.); Issue: 36605 (V.C.) Duty Location: Gustav Line, Monte Casino, Italy; Italy (including Monte Cassino, Anzio, Salerno, San Marino etc) Service: British Army Regiment: Lancashire Fusiliers Battalion: 2nd Battalion (Why is this important?) Place of Death: Bolton, Lancashire Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 2 More information about Lancashire Fusiliers Formed: 1881 Disbanded: 1968 The Regiment was first formed in 1688, in Devon as the Peyton's
Regiment of Foot, named after the commanding colonel Sir Richard Peyton.
It was formed following the Glorious... read more here >> |
Click
Here
for other web site stories of Frank Jefferson VC 1:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/51/a2666351.shtml 2:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Arthur_Jefferson |