Biography:
Victor James Somerset French was born 5 May 1898, the son of Sir Somerset French, K.C.M.G., of Mayfield, Sussex.
He came to Winchester College from West Downs School in September 1912 and was in E House, Morshead's. He was Head of his House in his last year and his obituary commented that 'His contemporaries will not forget the skill and success with which he managed the House War Savings Bank'. He also rowed and played in his house cricket XI
Victor left Winchester in March 1917 and in May 1917 he entered RMC Sandhurst, and was commissioned in the Irish Guards in 1918. He went to France on 2 October 1918, to join the 1st Battalion, and eight days later went into action for the first time in command of a patrol of advanced scouts whose duty it was to follow up the retreating enemy.
The same day, 10 October 1918, he fell at Beauvais-en-Cambrensis, near Cambrai, shot between the eyes by a sniper from one of the houses on the outskirts of the town while leading his men on under heavy fire. Victor is buried in Grave I.B.4 of the Carnieres Communal Cemetery Extension.