George Findlay

He bridged a canal under fire and opened the road to victory

Colonel George de Cardonnel Elmsall Findlay (1889–1967) was a Scottish Royal Engineers officer awarded the Victoria Cross for keeping a bridge operation alive under intense German fire during the final Allied advance of the First World War. On 4 November 1918, near Catillon in northern France, he repeatedly went forward to repair a bridge across the Sambre–Oise Canal lock, despite heavy casualties and a wound. When the bridge was finally placed, Findlay was the first man across and remained at the exposed crossing while the work was completed.

Born at Cardross, Dumbartonshire, Findlay was educated at St Ninian’s School, Harrow and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He received his Royal Engineers commission in January 1910. After a serious riding accident, he served in France from March 1915 on lines-of-communication and staff duties before later front-line service. He then served in France and Flanders, earned the Military Cross at Passchendaele and was appointed to command 409 (Lowland) Field Company. His record also included a Bar to the Military Cross and repeated mentions in despatches.

During the assault at the Sambre–Oise Canal on 4 November 1918, Findlay was with the leading bridging and assault parties at the lock south of Catillon. Enemy fire stopped the advance and caused severe casualties among the men attempting to get the crossing into place. Findlay collected the available sappers and worked on the damaged bridges under continuing fire. He was wounded but persisted; two attempts to place the bridge failed as men were swept away. On the next effort, he got it across, led the first crossing and stayed at the exposed post until the remaining work was finished. The Victoria Cross citation credited his personal example and determination with making the crossing possible at a critical stage of the advance. The action came one week before the Armistice.

Findlay continued his Royal Engineers career and retired in 1939. Recalled for the Second World War, he served as Chief Engineer in Northern Ireland and later with Allied Military Government in Italy. He finally retired in 1946 with honorary rank of colonel. He later served as a deputy lieutenant of Dumbartonshire. He died in Helensburgh in 1967, aged 77. His Victoria Cross is held by the Royal Engineers Museum in Chatham.

Citation summary: For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the forcing of the Sambre–Oise Canal near Catillon on 4 November 1918, Findlay repeatedly repaired and placed a bridge across the lock under heavy fire despite being wounded, then led the first crossing and held the exposed position until the work was complete.

Sources: The London Gazette, 15 May 1919, Victoria Cross citation for Acting Major George de Cardonnel Elmsall Findlay; Royal Engineers Museum, Sapper Victoria Cross recipients; Helensburgh Heritage, “Victoria Cross hero, Colonel George Findlay”; Victoria Cross Online, “George de Cardonnel Elmsall Findlay VC MC*.”

[Biographical and award record](https://vcgca.org/our-people/profile/867/George-de-Cardonnel-Elmsall-FINDLAY)