William Frederick Faulds

Private, 1st Battalion, South African Infantry

Register No.: 396 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank: Private all Privates →
Unit: 1st Battalion, South African Infantry all South African Infantry VCs →
Date of action: 18 July 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
Conflict / campaign: First World War
London Gazette: 9th September, 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
Born: 19th February 1895 at Cradock, Cape Province, South Africa
Died: 16th February 1950 at Salisbury, Rhodesia
Memorial / grave: not known

Digest of citation

On 18th July, 1916 at Delville Wood, France, a bombing party came under very heavy rifle and machine-gun fire and the majority were killed or wounded, including the lieutenant in charge, who they are unable to move midway between the two lines of trenches. In full daylight Private Faulds, accompanied by two other men, climbed over the parapet, ran out, picked up the officer and carried him back. Today's later Private Faulds went out alone, under intense artillery fire, and brought in a wounded man and then rejoined his platoon

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

FAULDS, William Frederick. (reg No. 396).

Private 1st Battalion, South African Infantry.

London Gazetted on 9th September, 1916.

Born on 19th February 1895 at Cradock, Cape Province, South Africa.

Died on 16th February 1950 at Salisbury, Rhodesia.

Memorial not known.

Digest of Citation reads: On 18th July, 1916 at Delville Wood, France, a bombing party came under very heavy rifle and machine-gun fire and the majority were killed or wounded, including the lieutenant in charge, who they are unable to move midway between the two lines of trenches. In full daylight Private Faulds, accompanied by two other men, climbed over the parapet, ran out, picked up the officer and carried him back. Today's later Private Faulds went out alone, under intense artillery fire, and brought in a wounded man and then rejoined his platoon.

Additional information:. Captain Faulds also held the Military Cross (MC). He was the first South African-Born on man serving with the South African Forces to win the Victoria Cross. He also served in World War Two in East Africa.

Additional information

Captain Faulds also held the Military Cross (MC). He was the first South African-Born on man serving with the South African Forces to win the Victoria Cross. He also served in World War Two in East Africa.

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Alf recorded the memorial as: not known

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