William McFadzean

William McFadzean
File:McFadzeanVC.jpg William McFadzean as shown on a mural in Cregagh, Belfast
Nickname(s)	Billy
Born	9 October 1895 Lurgan, County Armagh
Died	1 July 1916 (aged 20) Thiepval, France
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Rifleman
Unit	14th Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles
Battles/wars	World War I - Battle of the Somme
Awards	Victoria Cross

William Frederick "Billy" McFadzean VC (9 October 1895 – 1 July 1916) was born in Lurgan, County Armagh. From Ulster, he was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

McFadzean was a 20-year-old rifleman in the 14th Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles, British Army during the First World War. On 1 July 1916, during the Battle of the Somme near Thiepval Wood, France, a box of hand grenades slipped into a crowded trench. Two of the safety pins in the grenades were dislodged. McFadzean threw himself on top of the grenades, which exploded, killing him but only injuring one other. His citation read:

No. 14/18278 Pte. William Frederick McFadzean, late R. Ir. Rif. For most conspicuous bravery. While in a concentration trench and opening a box of bombs for distribution prior to an attack, the box slipped down into the trench, which was crowded with men, and two of the safety pins fell out. Private McFadzean, instantly realising the danger to his comrades, with heroic courage threw himself on the top of the Bombs. The bombs exploded blowing him to pieces, but only one other man was injured. He well knew his danger, being himself a bomber, but without a moment's hesitation he gave his life for his comrades.

McFadzean's father was presented with his son's VC by King George V in Buckingham Palace, London on 28 February 1917.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Royal Ulster Rifles Museum, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

McFadzean played rugby for Collegians RFC. He was also a member of the East Belfast Regiment of the Ulster Volunteers and the Young Citizens Volunteers

Legacy

Private McFadzean was remembered in song:

Let me tell you a story of honour and glory

Of a young Belfast soldier Billy McFadzean by name

For King and for Country Young Billy died bravely

And won the VC on the fields of the Somme

Gone Like the snowflake that melts on the river

Gone like the first rays of days early dawn

Like the foam from the fountain

Like the mist from the mountain

Young Billy McFadzean’s dear life has gone

Now Billy lies only where the red Flanders poppy

In wildest profusion paints the field of the brave

No piper recalling his deeds all forgotten

For Billy McFadzean has no known grave

Chorus

So let us remember that brave Ulster soldier

The VC he won the young life that he gave

For duty demanding his courage outstanding

Private Billy McFadzean of the U.V.F.

Sources

• The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
• Ireland's VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development, 1995)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)

External links

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry
• William McFadzean - War Hero - BBC Northern Ireland with photos and some further information
• South Belfast Somme Assn
• The McFadzean family on the 1911 census