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OrdSea. John Henry Carless VC
Royal Navy HMS Caledon.
from:Walsall, Staffs.
(d.17th Nov 1917)
John Carless was killed in action on the 17th of Novemeber 1917, aged 21. Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in Portsmouth, he was the son of John Thomas and Elizabeth Carless, of 31, Tasker Street, Walsall, Staffs.
An extract from The London Gazette No. 30687, dated 17th May, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Although mortally wounded in the abdomen, he still went on serving the gun at which he was acting as rammer, lifting a projectile and helping to clear away the other casualties. He collapsed once, but got up, tried again, and cheered on the new gun's crew. He then fell and died. He not only set a very inspiring and memorable example, but he also, whilst mortally wounded, continued to do effective work against the King's enemies." The action during which this incident took place was the second battle of Heligoland Bight.
