Corporal John McNamara VC,
9th Battalion The East Surrey Regiment
Corporal McNamara was born at Walton- Le-Dale, Preston, Lancashire, on 28th October 1887. He won his award on 3rd September 1918 North-West of Lens, France, and was killed in action near Solesmes, France, on 16th October 1918.

He is buried in Romeries Communal Cemetery, France, and his widow received his Victoria Cross from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 27th February 1920. It is now in the possession of The Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment museum at Clandon.

His Citation reads:-

“For conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty. When operating a telephone in evacuated enemy trenches occupied by his battalion, Corporal McNamara realised that a determined enemy counter-attack was gaining ground. Rushing to join the nearest post, he made the most effective use of a revolver taken from a wounded officer. Then seizing a Lewis gun, continued to fire it till it jammed. By this time he was alone in the post. Having destroyed his telephone he joined the nearest post and again displayed great courage and initiative in maintaining Lewis-gun fire until reinforcements arrived.

It was undoubtedly due to the magnificent courage and determination of Private McNamara that the other posts were enabled to hold on and his fine example of devotion to duty is worthy of the highest praise”.
Date of Act of Bravery
3rd September 1918
Lens		 London Gazette
15th November 1918

The Medals Corporal J McNamara VC.
Extract from a report from the Preston Herald and for the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment Assocciation Newsletter.
Written by Maj. RA Jennings, late The Queen's Royal Regiment.

Corporal John McNamara VC
9th Bn The East Surreys "The Gallants"

On 3rd September my wife and I were invited to attend a moving ceremony at Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire.

The occasion was the unveiling and dedication of a plaque in his home town, at the spot where he worked in commemoration of Cpl John McNamara's gallant action at Lens in 1918 which earned him a Victoria Cross.

The Victoria Cross and citation are displayed in our Regimental Museum at Clandon but local people, Councillors and family members thought a plaque would be a fitting tribute in his home town.

Those who attended the ceremony included a large number of five generations of the family most of whom live locally. They all agreed that the ceremony was moving and a just tribute to a brave man which will record forever his bravery. Both young and older members were grateful for a regimental presence at the ceremony. Following the ceremony all those who were present were invited to a buffet lunch at Lancashire County Hall in Preston where we were able to meet some of those who had organised the ceremony.

It was inevitable that I was asked on many occasions how Cpl John was serving with the East Surreys. I explained what happens in war and cited an example, the formation of The British Battalion, in Malaya, in 1942 (The Laicesters and The East Surreys).
© The Queen's Royal Surrey Regimental Association.