Francis John William Harvey
Major, Royal Marine Light Infantry
- Register No.
- 541 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Major all Majors →
- Unit
- Royal Marine Light Infantry all Royal Marine Light Infantry VCs →
- Date of action
- 31 May 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 15th September 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Born
- 29th April 1873 at Sydenham, Surrey
- Died
- 31st May 1916 at the Battle of Jutland.(killed in action
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Chatham Naval Memorial and Tribute at Royal Marine Museum. Southsea, Hants
- Medal held by
- the Royal Marine museum, Eastney Barracks,
Digest of citation
On 31st May at the Battle of Jutland, Major Harvey of HMS Lion, although mortally wounded and almost the only survivor after the explosion of an enemy shell in a gunhouse, ordered the magazine to be flooded. His presence of mind saved the ship, but he Died on shortly afterwards. (More to follow.)
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
HARVEY, Francis John William (Reg. No.541)
Major Royal Marine Light Infantry.
London Gazetted on 15th September 1916 VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Marine museum, Eastney Barracks, Southsea, Hants.
Born on 29th April 1873 at Sydenham, Surrey.
Died on 31st May 1916 at the Battle of Jutland.(killed in action.
Memorial at: Chatham Naval Memorial and Tribute at Royal Marine Museum. Southsea, Hants.
Digest of Citation reads: On 31st May at the Battle of Jutland, Major Harvey of HMS Lion, although mortally wounded and almost the only survivor after the explosion of an enemy shell in a gunhouse, ordered the magazine to be flooded. His presence of mind saved the ship, but he Died on shortly afterwards. (More to follow.)
From the archive — contributed material
Major Francis Harvey VC, Royal Marine Light Infantry (HMS Lion, Jutland) — Royal Marines Museum, Eastney
From Alf's last visit, Portsmouth, April 2005.
Major Francis Harvey VC — portrait in the Royal Marines Museum, Eastney 
The medals of Francis Harvey displayed at the Royal Marines Museum
The medal group
The museum's label reads: Victoria Cross; 1914–15 Star; 1914–20 War Medal; Victory Medal with Mention in Despatches.
Images and text reproduced by courtesy of the Askin family — photographs taken by Alf Askin and family at the Royal Marines Museum, Eastney, Portsmouth, April 2005. Added 2026.
Southsea, Hants.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Chatham Naval Memorial and Tribute at Royal Marine Museum. Southsea, Hants
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
Research this recipient further
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