William John English VC

Name: William John English

Conflict: Second Boer War

Gazetted: October 4, 1901

Service: Army

Place/date of birth: Cork, Co Cork, Ireland/October 6, 1882

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Lieutenant (later Lieutenant Colonel)

Date of bravery: July 3, 1901

London Gazette citation:

2^nd Scottish Horse. Lieutenant W.J. English.

This officer with five men was holding the right of a position at Vlakfontein on the 3rd July, 1901, during an attack by the Boers. Two of his men were killed and two wounded, but the position was still held, largely owing to Lieutenant English’s personal pluck. When the ammunition ran short he went over to the next party and obtained more; to do this he had to cross some 15 yards of open ground under a heavy fire at a range of from 20 to 30 yards.

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Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: At sea, off Egypt/July 4, 1941

Grave/memorials: Maala Military Cemetery, Aden, Yemen; Campbell College, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased privately, 2009

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum