Brett Mackay Cloutman
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Brett Mackay Cloutman VC
MC
(7 November 1891 - 15 August 1971) was an English
First World War
recipient of the Victoria Cross
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
and Commonwealth
forces.
Cloutman was commissioned into the Kent Fortress Royal Engineers
.
Cloutman was 26 years old and commanding the 59th Field Company, Royal Engineers, when he won his VC. His citation reads:
This was the last act to win a VC in the First World War.
Cloutman later achieved the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He was called to the Bar at Gray's Inn
in 1926. From 1939 he served in World War II
and in 1947 became Senior Chairman of the War Pensions Tribunal. He was a Senior Official Referee of the Supreme Court of Judicature
1954-63 he eventually became His Honour Lieutenant Colonel Sir Brett Cloutman VC MC
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum
, Chatham, Kent.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(7 November 1891 - 15 August 1971) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces.
Cloutman was commissioned into the Kent Fortress Royal Engineers
Kent Fortress Royal Engineers
The Kent Fortress Royal Engineers were a volunteer Territorial unit of the British Army. They are notable for their successful actions in May 1940, when they destroyed substantial oil stocks and installations just ahead of the German advance....
.
Victoria Cross action
Acting MajorMajor
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
Cloutman was 26 years old and commanding the 59th Field Company, Royal Engineers, when he won his VC. His citation reads:
On 6 November 1918, at Pont-sur-SambrePont-sur-SambrePont-sur-Sambre is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-References:*...
, FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Major Cloutman, after reconnoitring the river crossings, found the Quartes Bridge almost intact but prepared for demolition. Leaving his party under cover he went forward alone, swam across the river and having cut the 'leads' from the charges returned the same way, despite the fact that the bridge and all the approaches were swept by enemy shells and machine-gun fire. Although the bridge was blown up later in the day by other means, the abutments remained intact.
This was the last act to win a VC in the First World War.
Cloutman later achieved the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He was called to the Bar at Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in 1926. From 1939 he served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and in 1947 became Senior Chairman of the War Pensions Tribunal. He was a Senior Official Referee of the Supreme Court of Judicature
Supreme Court of Judicature
Supreme Court of Judicature may refer to:* Supreme Court of Judicature . Supreme Court of Barbados* Supreme Court of Judicature , Supreme Court of Guyana* Supreme Court of Judicature , the supreme court in Ireland from 1877 to 1920...
1954-63 he eventually became His Honour Lieutenant Colonel Sir Brett Cloutman VC MC
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum
Royal Engineers Museum
The Royal Engineers Museum, Library & Archive is a military engineering museum and library in Gillingham, Kent, England. It tells the story of the Corps of Royal Engineers and British military engineering in general.-History:The Library was founded in 1812...
, Chatham, Kent.
External links
- Royal Engineers Museum Sappers VCs
- Location of grave and VC medal (Golders Green)
- village de Pont-sur-Sambre
- et photos du pont de Quartes