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{{short description|Recipient of the Victoria Cross}}
{{other uses|John Harman (disambiguation)}}
{{other uses|John Harman (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
| name = John Pennington Harman
| name = John Pennington Harman
| birth_date =20 July 1914
| birth_date = 20 July 1914
| death_date = 9 April 1944
| death_date = 9 April 1944 (aged 29)
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial =Kohima War Cemetery
| placeofburial = [[Kohima War Cemetery]], British India
| birth_place = [[Beckenham]], [[London]]
| birth_place = [[Beckenham]], [[London]], England
| death_place = [[Kohima]], [[British India]]
| death_place = [[Kohima]], [[British Raj|British India]]
| placeofburial_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} -->
| placeofburial_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} -->
| image = Memorial to John Pennington Harman - geograph.org.uk - 596097.jpg
| image = Memorial to John Pennington Harman - geograph.org.uk - 596097.jpg
| nickname =
| nickname =
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| allegiance = {{UK}}
| allegiance = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| branch = {{army|United Kingdom}}
| branch = {{army|United Kingdom}}
| serviceyears =
| serviceyears = 1941 - 1944
| servicenumber = 295822
| rank = Lance-Corporal
| unit = [[The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment]]
| rank = [[Lance corporal|Lance Corporal]]
| battles =[[World War II]]<br>[[Battle of Kohima]]
| unit = [[Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment]]
| battles = [[World War II]]
* [[Pacific War]]
** [[Burma campaign]]
*** [[Burma campaign 1944–45|Burma campaign 1944]]
**** [[Operation U-Go]]
***** [[Battle of Kohima]] {{DOW}}
| battles_label =
| battles_label =
| awards = [[Victoria Cross]]
| awards = [[File:UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg|30px]] [[Victoria Cross]]
|relations = [[Martin Coles Harman]] (father)
| relations = [[Martin Coles Harman]] (father)
}}
}}
'''John Pennington Harman''' [[Victoria Cross|VC]] (20 July 1914 – 9 April 1944) was an [[England|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 [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces.
[[Lance corporal|Lance Corporal]] '''John Pennington Harman''' [[Victoria Cross|VC]] (20 July 1914 – 9 April 1944) was a [[British Army]] soldier and an [[England|English]] recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]] (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces.

His was one of three VC's awarded for action in [[British Raj|India]] during [[World War II]], the others being awarded to [[John Niel Randle]] (also at the [[Battle of Kohima]]) and [[Abdul Hafiz (VC)]] at the [[Battle of Imphal]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brazier |first=Kevin |year=2015 |title=The Complete Victoria Cross |publisher=Pen and Sword |location=Barnsley |isbn=978-1-47384-351-6}} pp330-331.</ref>

==Early life & education==
John Harman was the son of millionaire [[Martin Coles Harman]], owner of [[Lundy Island]], and followed his father's interest in natural history.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Quinnell |first=Henrietta |title=An Intellectual Adventurer in Archaeology: Reflections on the work of Charles Thomas |publisher=[[Archaeopress]] |year=2018 |isbn=9781784918620 |editor-last=Jones |editor-first=Andy M. |location=[[Summertown, Oxford]] |pages=71–81 |chapter=Before the Early Christian cemetery site on Lundy |doi=10.2307/j.ctv1nzfvpm |jstor=j.ctv1nzfvpm |s2cid=240446747 |quote=Visitors including archaeologists were very much guests of the Harman family and many came to know the family well. |editor-last2=Quinnell |editor-first2=Henrietta}}</ref>

Harman was educated at [[Bedales School]]<ref>"Bedales School Roll" Archer, Anne and Archer, Dennis p125: Petersfield; The Bedales Association, 1993</ref> and [[Clifton College]].<ref>"Clifton College Register" Muirhead, J.A.O. p410: Bristol; J.W Arrowsmith for Old Cliftonian Society; April, 1948</ref>


==Details==
==Details==
[[File:Two soldiers visit the Military Cemetery at Kohima to pay their respects to their former comrade Lance Corporal John Harman VC, 1945. IND4886.jpg|thumb|left|Two soldiers visit the [[War Cemetery in Kohima|Military Cemetery]] at Kohima to pay their respects to their former comrade Lance Corporal John Harman [[Victoria Cross|VC]], 1945]]
[[File:Two soldiers visit the Military Cemetery at Kohima to pay their respects to their former comrade Lance Corporal John Harman VC, 1945. IND4886.jpg|thumb|left|Two soldiers visit the [[War Cemetery in Kohima|Military Cemetery]] at Kohima to pay their respects to their former comrade Lance Corporal John Harman [[Victoria Cross|VC]], 1945]]
John Harman was the son of millionaire [[Martin Coles Harman]], owner of [[Lundy Island]], and followed his father's interest in natural history.


In 1935, Harman applied for a commission in the [[Royal Air Force]], but was turned down for lack of qualifications in mathematics. He would later join the Army in 1941 as a private. <ref>[https://victoriacrossonline.co.uk/john-pennington-harman-vc/ VC online biography]</ref>
Harman was 29 years old, and a [[lance-corporal]] in the 4th Battalion, [[Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment]], [[British Army during the Second World War]] when the following deed took place for which he was [[Posthumous recognition|posthumously]] awarded the [[Victoria Cross]].


On 8/9&nbsp;April 1944 at the [[Battle of Kohima]], [[British India]], Lance-Corporal Harman was commanding a section of a forward platoon where soldiers of the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] had established a [[machine-gun]] post within 50 yards of his company and were becoming a menace. Since it was not possible to bring fire on to the enemy post the lance-corporal went forward by himself and threw a [[Mills bomb|grenade]] into the position, destroying it. He returned carrying the enemy machinegun as a trophy. Early next morning, having ordered covering fire from his [[Bren gun]] team, he went out alone, with [[Lee–Enfield]] and fixed [[bayonet]] and charged a party of [[Imperial Japanese Army|Japanese soldiers]] who were digging in. He shot four and bayoneted one. On his way back, Lance Corporal Harman was severely wounded by a burst of enemy machine-gun fire and died soon after reaching British lines.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue= 36574|date=20 June 1944 |page=2961|supp=y}}</ref>
Harman was 29 years old, and a [[lance-corporal]] in the 4th Battalion, [[Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment]], [[British Army during the Second World War]] when the following deed took place for which he was [[Posthumous recognition|posthumously]] awarded the [[Victoria Cross]].<blockquote>On 8/9&nbsp;April 1944 at the [[Battle of Kohima]], [[British India]], Lance-Corporal Harman was commanding a section of a forward platoon where soldiers of the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] had established a [[machine-gun]] post within 50 yards of his company and were becoming a menace. Since it was not possible to bring fire on to the enemy post the lance-corporal went forward by himself and threw a [[Mills bomb|grenade]] into the position, destroying it. He returned carrying the enemy machinegun as a trophy. Early next morning, having ordered covering fire from his [[Bren gun]] team, he went out alone, with a [[Lee–Enfield]] rifle with fixed [[bayonet]] and charged a party of [[Imperial Japanese Army|Japanese soldiers]] who were digging in. He shot four and bayoneted one. On his way back, Lance Corporal Harman was severely wounded by a burst of enemy machine-gun fire and died soon after reaching British lines.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue= 36574|date=20 June 1944 |page=2961|supp=y}}</ref></blockquote>Having been shot Harman was recovered to the nearest trench by his company commander, Captain [[Donald Easten]], and died in his arms.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Keane |first=Fergal |author-link=Fergal Keane |year=2010 |title=Road of Bones: The Siege of Kohima 1944 |publisher=HarperPress |location=London |isbn=978-0-00-713240-9}} p269.</ref> His final words were "I got the lot" referring to the party of Japanese soldiers. <ref> Hirohito's War Francis Pike </ref> A plaque is displayed on the house where he was born in Shrewsbury Road, [[Beckenham]], located in the [[London Borough of Bromley]]. There is also a memorial to him erected by his father in VC Quarry, on the east side of [[Lundy Island]].


==Medal==
A plaque is displayed on the house where he was born in [[Shrewsbury Road]], [[Beckenham]], located in the [[London Borough of Bromley]]. There is also a memorial to him erected by his father in VC Quarry, on the east side of [[Lundy Island]].
[[File:Kohima_war_cemetery_52.jpg|thumb|Grave marker in Kohima]]

==The medal==
His [[Victoria Cross]] is displayed at [[The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum]] in Maidstone, Kent, England.
His [[Victoria Cross]] is displayed at [[The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum]] in Maidstone, Kent, England.
{{-}}
{{Clear}}

==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

*[[British VCs of World War 2]] (John Laffin, 1997)
==Bibliography==
⚫
*[[Monuments to Courage]] (David Harvey, 1999)
*[[The Register of the Victoria Cross]] (This England, 1997)
*''[[British VCs of World War 2]]'' (John Laffin, 1997)
⚫
*''[[Monuments to Courage]]'' (David Harvey, 1999)
*{{Find a Grave|11764817}}
*{{cite book|year=1997|title=[[The Register of the Victoria Cross]]|editor-last=Buzzell|editor-first=Nora|location=[[Cheltenham]], [[Gloucestershire]]|publisher=This England Alma House|isbn=0-906324-27-0}}
*{{cite book|last=Ingleton|first=Roy|title=Kent VCs|publisher=[[Pen and Sword Books]]|year=2011|isbn=978-1848844094}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2601498 CWGC entry]
*[http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2601498 CWGC entry]
* [http://www.pinterest.com/pin/204491639302382790/ World War II Photograph of Harman grave]
*[http://www.pinterest.com/pin/204491639302382790/ World War II Photograph of Harman grave]

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Harman, John Pennington}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harman, John Pennington}}
[[Category:1914 births]]
[[Category:1914 births]]
[[Category:1944 deaths]]
[[Category:1944 deaths]]
⚫
[[Category:People educated at Bedales School]]
[[Category:People educated at Clifton College]]
[[Category:People educated at Clifton College]]
[[Category:People from Beckenham]]
[[Category:People from Beckenham]]
[[Category:British World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:British World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:British Army personnel killed in World War II]]
[[Category:British military personnel killed in World War II]]
[[Category:Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment soldiers]]
[[Category:Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment soldiers]]
⚫
[[Category:People educated at Bedales School]]
[[Category:British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:Burials at Kohima War Cemetery]]
[[Category:Military personnel from the London Borough of Bromley]]

Latest revision as of 01:01, 16 November 2024

For other uses, see John Harman (disambiguation).

John Pennington Harman
Born20 July 1914
Beckenham, London, England
Died9 April 1944 (aged 29)
Kohima, British India
Buried
Kohima War Cemetery, British India
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branch British Army
Years of service1941 - 1944
RankLance Corporal
Service number295822
UnitQueen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
Battles / warsWorld War II
Awards Victoria Cross
RelationsMartin Coles Harman (father)

Lance Corporal John Pennington Harman VC (20 July 1914 – 9 April 1944) was a British Army soldier and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

His was one of three VC's awarded for action in India during World War II, the others being awarded to John Niel Randle (also at the Battle of Kohima) and Abdul Hafiz (VC) at the Battle of Imphal.[1]

Early life & education

[edit]

John Harman was the son of millionaire Martin Coles Harman, owner of Lundy Island, and followed his father's interest in natural history.[2]

Harman was educated at Bedales School[3] and Clifton College.[4]

Details

[edit]
Two soldiers visit the Military Cemetery at Kohima to pay their respects to their former comrade Lance Corporal John Harman VC, 1945

In 1935, Harman applied for a commission in the Royal Air Force, but was turned down for lack of qualifications in mathematics. He would later join the Army in 1941 as a private. [5]

Harman was 29 years old, and a lance-corporal in the 4th Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, British Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

On 8/9 April 1944 at the Battle of Kohima, British India, Lance-Corporal Harman was commanding a section of a forward platoon where soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army had established a machine-gun post within 50 yards of his company and were becoming a menace. Since it was not possible to bring fire on to the enemy post the lance-corporal went forward by himself and threw a grenade into the position, destroying it. He returned carrying the enemy machinegun as a trophy. Early next morning, having ordered covering fire from his Bren gun team, he went out alone, with a Lee–Enfield rifle with fixed bayonet and charged a party of Japanese soldiers who were digging in. He shot four and bayoneted one. On his way back, Lance Corporal Harman was severely wounded by a burst of enemy machine-gun fire and died soon after reaching British lines.[6]

Having been shot Harman was recovered to the nearest trench by his company commander, Captain Donald Easten, and died in his arms.[7] His final words were "I got the lot" referring to the party of Japanese soldiers. [8] A plaque is displayed on the house where he was born in Shrewsbury Road, Beckenham, located in the London Borough of Bromley. There is also a memorial to him erected by his father in VC Quarry, on the east side of Lundy Island.

Medal

[edit]
Grave marker in Kohima

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum in Maidstone, Kent, England.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Brazier, Kevin (2015). The Complete Victoria Cross. Barnsley: Pen and Sword. ISBN 978-1-47384-351-6. pp330-331.
  2. ^ Quinnell, Henrietta (2018). "Before the Early Christian cemetery site on Lundy". In Jones, Andy M.; Quinnell, Henrietta (eds.). An Intellectual Adventurer in Archaeology: Reflections on the work of Charles Thomas. Summertown, Oxford: Archaeopress. pp. 71–81. doi:10.2307/j.ctv1nzfvpm. ISBN 9781784918620. JSTOR j.ctv1nzfvpm. S2CID 240446747. Visitors including archaeologists were very much guests of the Harman family and many came to know the family well.
  3. ^ "Bedales School Roll" Archer, Anne and Archer, Dennis p125: Petersfield; The Bedales Association, 1993
  4. ^ "Clifton College Register" Muirhead, J.A.O. p410: Bristol; J.W Arrowsmith for Old Cliftonian Society; April, 1948
  5. ^ VC online biography
  6. ^ "No. 36574". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 June 1944. p. 2961.
  7. ^ Keane, Fergal (2010). Road of Bones: The Siege of Kohima 1944. London: HarperPress. ISBN 978-0-00-713240-9. p269.
  8. ^ Hirohito's War Francis Pike

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
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