Jack Thomas Counter VC

Private Jack Counter seemed to have a charmed life. He was with the 1st Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment near Boisieux St Marc in the area of Arras, on 16 April 1918, his unit being poised to launch a counter-attack. The commanding officer was unable to make a plan of attack unless vital information could be obtained from the front line. The only way to reach the front was over exposed ground with no cover. A small party of men made the attempt but without success, followed by brave men who were sent out on their own but meeting a hail of bullets. Private Counter then volunteered and went out under heavy fire. He was able to survive, mostly by lying flat on his face and crawling inch by inch, not only on the way to the front line, but also on the way back, carrying a message with the information needed. The counter-attack was then made with great success, thanks to his miraculous escape. Subsequently he made five other runs to Battalion Headquarters under artillery fire without suffering serious injury.
Jack Thomas Counter was born in Blandford Forum, Dorset on 3 Nov 1898. He was 15 when war was declared so too young to join up. But after his 18th birthday he joined the King’s Liverpool Regiment in February 1917. The 1st Battalion had been in France since the start of the war and were in the Arras area. His skill and bravery as a messenger inspired his comrades and was rewarded with the VC, gazetted on 22 May 1918. After his investiture by the King at Buckingham Palace on 27 June, he travelled to Blandford where he was given a rapturous hero’s welcome.
The battalion went to Jersey after the war and Jack enjoyed the island so much he decided to settle there. He worked as a postman and married Ada Vauvert. They set up home near St Helier and had a daughter, Pearl. He was active in the local British Legion and was known as Jersey’s VC. Sadly Pearl died in 1963, aged 39, and Ada died in 1970. A few months later, on 16 September 1970, while visiting Blandford, Jack Counter collapsed and died in his old home. He was cremated in Bournemouth and his ashes buried in St Saviours Churchyard, St Helier.

Regimental Details | Soldiers