William McFadzean

He threw himself onto armed grenades to shield his comrades.

William Frederick McFadzean was born at Lurgan on 9 October 1895. Educated in Belfast, he became an apprentice at the linen firm Spence, Bryson and Company. A member of the Ulster Volunteer Force, he enlisted in the 14th Royal Irish Rifles in September 1914 and reached France with the 36th Ulster Division in October 1915.

On 1 July 1916, before the Somme attack, McFadzean was distributing grenades in a crowded concentration trench near Thiepval Wood. A box slipped and safety pins came out of two bombs. Realising the danger, he threw himself over them. The explosion killed him, but only one other man was injured. He received a posthumous Victoria Cross.

There was no later career. His body was not recovered for an identified grave, and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. His father received the decoration in February 1917.

Victoria Cross citation:

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.