Fred McNess VC (22 January 1892 – 4 May 1956) was an English-born Scottish 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. McNess was 24 years old, and a

lance-sergeant Lance sergeant (LSgt or L/Sgt) is an appointment in the armies of the Commonwealth and formerly also a rank in the United States Army. Commonwealth Lance-sergeant in the armies of the Commonwealth was an appointment given to a corporal so they c ...

in the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 15 September 1916 near Ginchy, France, during a period of severe fighting, Lance-Sergeant McNess led his men with great dash in the face of heavy shell and machine-gun fire. When the first line of the enemy trenches was reached, it was found that the left flank was exposed and that the enemy were bombing down the trench. McNess then organised and led a counter-attack and, although he was very severely wounded in the neck and jaw, did not give up. Finally he established a "block" and continued encouraging his men and throwing bombs until exhausted by loss of blood. He later achieved the rank of

sergeant Sergeant (abbreviated to Sgt. and capitalized when used as a named person's title) is a rank in many uniformed organizations, principally military and policing forces. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in The Rifles and other uni ...

. The severe nature of his wounds left Ness in lifelong pain which eventually led him to take his own life.Daily Record
/ref> His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Guards Regimental Headquarters (Scots Guards RHQ), Wellington Barracks in London.

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Location of grave and VC medal
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{{DEFAULTSORT:McNess, Fred 1892 births 1956 deaths British Army personnel of World War I British Battle of the Somme recipients of the Victoria Cross People from Bramley, Leeds Scots Guards soldiers British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross Suicides in England British military personnel who died by suicide Military personnel from Leeds