Casualties of Spring: Second Lieutenant John Schofield

Second Lieutenant John Schofield VC

2nd/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, 164 Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division

Died: 9 April 1918

Aged: 26

Commemorated in: CWGC Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery

The eldest son of John and Martha Schofield, John was born in Blackburn in 1892. He attended Arnold School in Blackpool. After the outbreak of the First Word War he was eager to enlist but his poor eyesight led to him being rejected twice. In October 1915, he was finally accepted and worked in a clerical capacity until he was eventually offered a commission.

In 1918 John was serving with the 2nd/5th Lancashire Fusiliers. His unit had suffered heavy losses in March and they had been sent north to rest and recuperate. On 9 April the Germans launched Operation Georgette and once again John and his men were involved in the heaviest fighting 

During the fighting on 9 April, German troops broke through the British front. John moved forward from reserve positions with a small party of 10 soldiers. His small party was suddenly attacked by about 100 enemy soldiers but John carefully and skilfully organised his men and they forced their attackers to take cover in dugouts and he was able to capture 20 enemy soldiers. Collecting the remainder of his men, they continued their advance but as they neared the British front they met a large group of German soldiers.

Overwhelmingly outnumbered, the situation seemed hopeless. Despite this, John climbed onto the parapet under point-blank machine-gun fire and forced the enemy to surrender. As a result more than 120 enemy soldiers, including several officers, were captured.

A few minutes later, with desperate fighting continuing all around, John was killed. He is buried at CWGC Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery in northern France.

For his actions on 9 April 1918 he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

An extract from The London Gazette, dated 25 June 1918, reads:

"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in operations. 2nd Lt. Schofield led a party of nine men against a strong point which was reported strongly held by the enemy, and was attacked by about 100 of the enemy with bombs. He disposed his men so skillfully, and made such good use of rifle and Lewis gun fire, that the enemy took cover in dug-outs. This officer himself then held up and captured a party of twenty. With the help of other parties this position was then cleared of the enemy who were all killed or captured. He then collected the remainder of his men, made his party up to ten, and proceeded towards the front line, previously informing his Commanding Officer as to the position, and that he was proceeding to retake the front line. He met large numbers of the enemy in a communication trench in front of him and in a drain on his right and left. His party opened rapid rifle fire, and he climbed out on to the parapet under point blank machine gun fire, and, by his fearless demeanour and bravery, forced the enemy to surrender. As a result, 123 of the enemy, including several officers, were captured by 2nd Lt. Schofield and his party. This very gallant officer was killed a few minutes later.”