Two Second World War Victoria Cross medals are on display together for the first time at The Tank Museum, Bovington, to mark the anniversary of VE Day, the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Captain Philip ‘Pip’ Gardner and Major General Henry Robert Bowreman ‘Bob’ Foote were both awarded Victoria Crosses in the Western Desert in the Second World War to honour their acts of bravery in the face of an enemy.
Captain Pip Gardner was the first Royal Tank Regiment officer to receive the Victoria Cross in the Second World War. Aged just 26, he earned the award on 23 November 1941 after risking his life under anti‑tank fire to rescue a severely wounded soldier. Ordered to assist armoured cars from the King’s Dragoon Guards, Pip attempted to tow a disabled vehicle and, despite the tow rope snapping and sustaining wounds to his neck, leg, and arm, Pip returned to help the injured Lieutenant Beame.
Captain Gardner’s medals are now displayed alongside Major General Bob Foote’s, who was then an acting Lieutenant Colonel. He was awarded a Victoria Cross after he led his battalion under heavy enemy artillery fire. After Bob’s tank was knocked out and he was wounded in the neck, he continued to command from an exposed position on another tank.
A few days later, Bob ordered to delay advancing enemy tanks to allow the Guards Brigade to withdraw. Bob reorganised the remaining vehicles, moving on foot between tanks under intense fire to encourage their crews. Despite his own tank being badly damaged and its guns disabled, Bob placed it at the front so he could be clearly seen, subsequently keeping the corridor open for the brigade to march through. Over several days, Bob’s leadership and courage became legendary throughout the brigade and very much remains legendary today.
Exhibitions Manager, Luke Clark, said: “Both Pip and Bob’s Victoria Crosses were the only two awarded to the Royal Tank Regiment during the Second World War, making it incredibly poignant to display together to mark the anniversary of VE Day on 8 May.
“Displaying Pip and Bob’s medal groups, including their Victoria Crosses, helps us tell the story of Pip and Bob’s bravery.”
The two Victoria Crosses, as well as more stories of the people who served in the Second World War, can be found in The Tank Museum’s WW2: War Stories exhibition.
