William Clamp
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William Clamp VC (October 28, 1891- October 9, 1917) was a Scottish 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 25 years old, and a corporal in the 6th Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own), British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 9 October 1917 at Poelcapelle, Belgium, when the advance was checked by intense machine-gun fire from concrete blockhouses and by snipers, Corporal Clamp attempted to rush the largest blockhouse. His first attempt failed and the two men with him became casualties, but he collected some bombs and two more men and dashing forward was the first to reach the blockhouse where he hurled his bombs, killing many of the occupants. He then entered, capturing a machine-gun and about 20 prisoners whom he brought back under heavy fire. He went forward again encouraging his men and displaying the greatest heroism until killed by a sniper.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Green Howards Museum, Richmond, Yorkshire, England.
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
- VCs of the First World War - Passchendaele 1917 (Stephen Snelling, 1998)
