John Henry Cound Brunt (VC, MC) was an English 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.

Details

He was 22 years old, and a Temporary Captain in the The Sherwood Foresters (The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) , British Army, attd. 6th Bn., The Lincolnshire Regiment during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 9 December 1944 near Faenza , Italy, the house round which Captain Brunt's platoon was dug in, was destroyed by intense mortar fire. The captain, rallying his remaining men and moving to an alternative position, continued to hold the enemy although heavily outnumbered. Personally firing a Bren gun he killed about 14 and then, his ammunition exhausted, he fired a PIAT and 2-in. mortar left by casualties. This aggressive defence enabled him to re-occupy his previous position and to get his wounded away. Later he showed similar aggressive and inspiring leadership which caused the final withdrawal of the enemy.

He was killed in action, Near Faenza , Italy, on 10 December 1944.

Reference

• British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.