John William Sayer
Lance-Corporal, 8th Battalion. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
- Register No.
- 1111 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lance-Corporal (register: Lance Corporal) all Lance-Corporals →
- Unit
- 8th Battalion. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment (register: Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment) all Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 21 March 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 9th June 1919 on this day → all of 1919 →
- Born
- 12th April 1879 at Ilford, Essex
- Died
- of wounds on 18th April 1918 at Le Cateau, France
- Memorial / grave
- at Le Cateau Military Cemetery, France
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
For two hours, during incessant attacks by the enemy, he held a small isolated post. Under the cover of a mist, the enemy approached the post, from both sides, to within 30 yards before they were discovered. Alone, Lance-Corporal Sayer, on his own initiative and no other assistance, fought off a series of flank attacks, inflicting heavy casualties on the Germans. He killed many of the enemy and wounded others even though he was subjected to attacks by rifle and machine-gun fire, bombs and bayonets, he repulsed them all. He showed complete contempt for danger during the whole time he was continuously exposed to rifle and machine-gun fire. His conduct was an inspiration to all. Lance-Corporal Sayer held the post until nearly all the garrison had been killed, wounded or captured, thanks to his skill in the use of all kinds of fire. He himself had been wounded. He later died of his wounds at Le Cateau
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SAYER, John William. (reg No. 1111).
Lance-Corporal. 8th Battalion. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment.
London Gazetted on 9th June 1919.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 12th April 1879 at Ilford, Essex.
Died of wounds on 18th April 1918 at Le Cateau, France.
Memorial on grave at Le Cateau Military Cemetery, France.
Digest of Citation reads: For two hours, during incessant attacks by the enemy, he held a small isolated post. Under the cover of a mist, the enemy approached the post, from both sides, to within 30 yards before they were discovered. Alone, Lance-Corporal Sayer, on his own initiative and no other assistance, fought off a series of flank attacks, inflicting heavy casualties on the Germans. He killed many of the enemy and wounded others even though he was subjected to attacks by rifle and machine-gun fire, bombs and bayonets, he repulsed them all. He showed complete contempt for danger during the whole time he was continuously exposed to rifle and machine-gun fire. His conduct was an inspiration to all. Lance-Corporal Sayer held the post until nearly all the garrison had been killed, wounded or captured, thanks to his skill in the use of all kinds of fire. He himself had been wounded. He later died of his wounds at Le Cateau.
Additional information:. Army No. G/ 14498, Lance-Corporal Sayer married Edith Louise Maynard on 15th August 1904 at Ilford Parish Church. They had six children, Olive Edith (15th August 1905); Eric Maynard (24th March 1907); Ivy Louise (18th December, 1908); Dorothy Margaret (27th August, 1910); William John (17th September, 1912) and born after his death, Joyce Madeleine (13th October 1918). He was the son of Samuel and Margaret Sayer, of Wangye Hall Farm, Chadwell Heath, Essex. His family had farmed in Chadwell Heath for generations.
Additional information
Army No. G/ 14498, Lance-Corporal Sayer married Edith Louise Maynard on 15th August 1904 at Ilford Parish Church. They had six children, Olive Edith (15th August 1905); Eric Maynard (24th March 1907); Ivy Louise (18th December, 1908); Dorothy Margaret (27th August, 1910); William John (17th September, 1912) and born after his death, Joyce Madeleine (13th October 1918). He was the son of Samuel and Margaret Sayer, of Wangye Hall Farm, Chadwell Heath, Essex. His family had farmed in Chadwell Heath for generations.
Register note: Died of wounds
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Le Cateau Military Cemetery, France
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