William Henry Metcalf

William Henry Metcalf VC, MM and Bar

William Henry Metcalf was born at Talmadge in Waite Township, Maine, on 29 January 1894. His Canadian attestation papers recorded 1885 because he increased his age after his mother refused permission for him to enlist. A barber by trade, he crossed the border and joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Valcartier in August 1914.

Metcalf travelled overseas with the 12th Battalion and transferred to the 16th Battalion, Canadian Scottish, in France on 13 May 1915. Serving principally as a signaller, he was repeatedly required to maintain telephone lines across exposed ground under artillery and machine-gun fire.

During the fighting near Courcelette on 7–9 October 1916, Metcalf volunteered to reach and treat a wounded soldier lying in a heavily shelled trench. Over the following two days, he repeatedly crossed the bombardment zone to repair telephone lines and maintain communications with brigade headquarters. He was awarded the Military Medal, announced in January 1917.

On 8 August 1918, during the Battle of Amiens, Metcalf carried a telephone line forward with the first attacking wave. After reaching the final objective, he established a signal station and maintained it throughout the day under heavy shellfire. He repeatedly entered the most dangerous area to repair broken lines. This conduct earned him a Bar to his Military Medal.

Metcalf performed his greatest act of gallantry on 2 September 1918 during the Canadian assault on the Drocourt-Quéant Line near Cagnicourt. When heavy German resistance halted the right flank of his battalion, he ran forward under intense machine-gun fire and reached a tank passing on the left.

Holding a signal flag, Metcalf walked directly in front of the tank and guided it along the German trench while bullets and bombs fell around him. The tank destroyed the enemy machine-gun positions, inflicted heavy casualties and relieved a critical situation. Although wounded, Metcalf continued advancing until ordered into a shell hole to receive treatment.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross and received the decoration from King George V at Sandringham on 26 January 1919. His commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Cyrus Wesley Peck, also received the Victoria Cross for his actions during the same attack.

After the war, Metcalf married Dorothy Winifred Holland, an English nurse, and returned to the United States, where he worked as a mechanic and raised a family. He attended the Victoria Cross centenary celebrations in London in 1956.

Metcalf died at Lewiston, Maine, on 8 August 1968 and was buried in Bayside Cemetery at Eastport. His Victoria Cross group was later donated by his son to the Canadian Scottish Regiment Museum in Victoria, British Columbia.

Victoria Cross citation

“For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty in attack, when, the right flank of the battalion being held up, he realised the situation and rushed forward under intense machine-gun fire to a passing Tank on the left.

With his signal flag he walked in front of the Tank, directing it along the trench in a perfect hail of bullets and bombs. The machine-gun strong points were overcome, very heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy, and a very critical situation was relieved.

Later, although wounded, he continued to advance until ordered to get into a shell hole and have his wounds dressed.

His valour throughout was of the highest standard.”

London Gazette, No. 31012, 15 November 1918.

Military Medal recommendation

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Courcelette on 7th, 8th and 9th October 1916. On the night of 7th October word was brought to Battalion Headquarters that a man was lying in a trench some distance away bleeding to death.

This NCO, a signaller, volunteered to go and bind his wound, which he did, although the trench was under terrific shell fire and he was in great peril.

During the next two days Corporal Metcalf repeatedly went over the heavily shelled area and repaired broken telephone wires, thus keeping up communication with Brigade, which was of immediate value to the situation.

During twenty months’ service in the field Metcalf’s conduct has been one of uniform bravery and cheerful devotion to duty.”

Award announced in the London Gazette, No. 29893, 6 January 1917.

Bar to the Military Medal recommendation

“During the attack in front of Amiens on August 8th 1918, this NCO behaved in a most splendid manner in charge of a signal section. With extraordinary perseverance and judgement he carried a telephone line forward with the first wave and upon arriving at the final objective, established a signal station which he maintained all day under heavy shell fire.

He several times traversed the zone of immediate danger to keep his lines in repair.

His fine conduct was responsible for keeping Headquarters in touch with the situation and thus contributing valuable assistance to the success of the action.”

Award announced in the London Gazette, No. 31142, 24 January 1919.

Research note

His correct birth year should be entered as 1894, not 1885. The 1885 date was the age he declared when enlisting. The identified medal group also includes the King George VI Coronation Medal and Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal, bringing his complete rack to seven medals.

Sources: Canadian Great War Project service and award record⁠, Government of Canada VC biography⁠, Canadian Expeditionary Force Research Group⁠.