Thomas Henry Sage

He threw himself onto a live bomb to shield nearby comrades.

Thomas Henry Sage was born at Tiverton on 8 December 1882. Educated at Chilcott’s School, he worked as a blacksmith and then at a local brewery. He married in 1907 and enlisted in December 1914, subsequently serving with the 8th Somerset Light Infantry.

During an attack west of Gheluvelt on 4 October 1917, Sage shared a shell hole with eight other men. One was shot while throwing a grenade, which fell back among them. Sage immediately threw himself on the live bomb. He saved comrades but suffered severe wounds and lost an eye. He received the Victoria Cross.

Discharged because of his injuries in May 1918, he returned to the brewery and later became caretaker of the Territorial drill hall at Tiverton. Active in the British Legion, he retired through ill health in 1933. He died at Tiverton on 20 July 1945 and was buried there.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery during an attack on an enemy strong post. He was in a shell hole with eight other men, one of whom was shot while in the act of throwing a bomb. The live bomb fell into the shell hole, and Private Sage, with great courage and presence of mind, immediately threw himself on it, thereby undoubtedly saving the lives of several of his comrades, though he himself sustained very severe wounds.

Fifth Supplement to The London Gazette of 14 December 1917. 18 December 1917, Numb. 30433, p. 13223