William Cosgrove

He tore down wire stakes under fire so his men could advance

William Cosgrove was born near Aghada, County Cork, on 1 October 1888. He attended school at Ballinrostig and became an apprentice butcher before joining the Royal Munster Fusiliers in 1910. He served in India and Burma, then returned with his battalion to Britain before sailing for the Dardanelles.

On 26 April 1915, during the fighting beyond V Beach at Cape Helles, Corporal Cosgrove led his section against Turkish positions. Under intense fire from the front and flanks, he pulled down stakes supporting the enemy’s wire entanglements, helping open a way for the attack. He was wounded and evacuated to Malta, then returned to Britain and Ireland. His conduct earned the Victoria Cross, presented in November 1916.

Promoted sergeant, he undertook recruiting duties and remained in the Army after the war. When the Munsters disbanded in 1922 he transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers. He later became an instructor with the University Training Corps in Burma, retiring as a staff sergeant in 1934. His health deteriorated, and he died at Millbank Hospital, London, on 14 July 1936. He was buried at Upper Aghada.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery in the leading of his section with great dash during our attack from the beach to the east of Cape Helles, on the Turkish positions, on 26th April, 1915. Corporal Cosgrove on this occasion pulled down the posts of the enemy’s high wire entanglements single-handed, notwithstanding a terrific fire from both front and flanks, thereby greatly contributing to the successful clearing of the heights.

Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 20 August 1915. 23 August 1915, Numb. 29272, p. 8374