Lieutenant Charles Pope

Ranks Held Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant
Birth Date 1883-03-05
Birth Place United Kingdom: England, Greater London, Mile End
Death Date 1917-04-15
Death Place France: Picardie, Somme, Louverval
Final Rank Lieutenant
Service Australian Imperial Force
Units
  • 11th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 11th Australian Infantry Battalion
Places
Conflict/Operation First World War, 1914-1918
Gazettes Biographical information They dared mightily. in 1963
Published in London Gazette in 1917-06-08
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1917-10-04
Description

Charles Pope (1883-1917) was born in London but migrated to Canada, where he worked for the Canadian Pacific Railways. He returned to London in 1906 and joined the Metropolitan Police Force, resigning in 1910 to come to Australia with his family. He enlisted in the AIF in August 1915, and in February 1916 he was commissioned as an officer.

Pope was killed in action at Louverval in a desperate "last stand" charge, and was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. Occupying an important picquet post during a German attack on the village, he was ordered "to hold this post at all costs". The enemy attacked the post and surrounded it, while Pope sent back an urgent request for re-supply. Before anything could arrive, and with his men out of ammunition, Pope ordered them to charge the large German force. Later his body, together with those of his men, was found close to 80 dead Germans. He is buried in Moeuvres Communal Cemetery in France.

Rolls

Timeline

Date of birth 05 March 1883 Mile End, London, England.
Other 1910 Migrated to Australia.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 25 August 1915 11 Battalion.
Date of enlistment 01 September 1915
Date commissioned 10 February 1916 Appointed 2nd Lieutenant.
Date of embarkation 15 July 1916
Date promoted 26 December 1916 Appointed Lieutenant.
Date of death 15 April 1917 Louverval, France.
Date of honour or award 15 April 1917 Awarded Victoria Cross for action at Louverval, France whilst serving with 11 Battalion, 3 Brigade, 1 Division as a Lieutenant
Date of recommendation honour or award 28 April 1917