Lieutenant Charles Pope

Ranks Held Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant
Birth Date 05/03/1883
Birth Place United Kingdom: England, Greater London, Mile End
Death Date 15/04/1917
Death Place France: Picardie, Somme, Louverval
Final Rank Lieutenant
Service Australian Imperial Force
Units
  • 11th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 11th Australian Infantry Battalion
Places
Event The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of Lieutenant Charles Pope VC 11th Battalion, AIF, First World War 1914-1918
Conflict/Operation First World War, 1914-1918
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 05/03/1883 Mile End, London, England.
Other 1910 Migrated to Australia.
Date of enlistment 01/09/1915
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 25/08/1915 11 Battalion.
Date of embarkation 15/07/1916
Date commissioned 10/02/1916 Appointed 2nd Lieutenant.
Date promoted 26/12/1916 Appointed Lieutenant.
Date of death 15/04/1917 Louverval, France.
Date of honour or award 15/04/1917 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 28/04/1917