Clifford William King Sadlier

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Clifford William King Sadlier was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was approx. 26 years old, and a Lieutenant in the 51st Battalion, Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 24/25 April 1918 at Villers-Bretonneux, France, Lieutenant Sadlier's platoon had to advance through a wood where a strong enemy machine-gun post was causing casualties and preventing the advance. Although he was himself wounded, Lieutenant Sadlier at once collected his bombing section and led them against the machine-guns, killing the crews and capturing two of the guns. By this time his party were all casualties and alone he attacked a third enemy machine-gun with his revolver, killing the crew and taking the gun. In doing so, he was again wounded.

[edit] References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• VCs of the First World War - Spring Offensive 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 1997)

[edit] External links

• The Soldier's Chapel at Perth Saint George's Cathedral (location of medal - see under 'History')

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.